The Finished Product!!

Final Model: In Context

Final Model: Branding

Final Model: Holding the Weight

Final Model: Assembly Video

The chair is imple to put together and takes just over 40 seconds to make.

Final Model: Assembly

Final Model

After a semester's work, this is the final product. I am very happy with the end result! It all worked out, the design is appropriate to Design Made Trade, as well being aesthetically pleasing. But most of all it works, holding the weight of 150kg easily. The folds were right and the system is supportive. The only problems to occur was slight tears in the back corners, which were unforeseen, and not highly visible. Secondly was the locking system on the base, which works but takes a lot of force to connect the two together. These problems still didn't influence the overall design and the way it works. I am very happy with the chair and feel as though I have met the brief.

Final Model: Making the Final Chair

Final Model: Finished Template

After fixing the minor issues that occurred in the first Xanita mock up, and decreasing the unwanted slope on the chair, this is the final layout.

Xanita 1:1 Mock-Up

After successfully developing a cardboard 1:1 mock-up, I then went on to build my first xanita 1:1 seat. The end result was very successful with only a few problems, with this being a few rips in the board. Other than that, I am very happy with the first mock-up.

Experimenting with Xanita Folds

1:1 Cardboard Mock-Up (Attempt Two)

After realising the problems in the first cardboard 1:1 mock-up, I was able to work on these, solve them and create my 2nd mock-up to ensure everything worked. The result was a successful chair design.

1:1 Cardboard Mock-Up (Attempt One)

After this initial 1:1 mock-up I came across several problems. This was very helpful as I now know exactly what these problems are and work on ways to overcome these.

Design Development: Net Layouts

Below is some rough sketching and further development of a net layout derived from model development. The outer shape is quite set, however the inner section needs more supportive structure.

Design Development: Concept Model Development

After playing around with folds, joins and layout I developed model after model, to come up with the most appropriate design.

Design Development: Concept Development

After showing my three concepts in class and gaining very helpful feedback, I have decided to look further into concept 2. I think this design orientated piece is the most appropriate and has alot of potential. Below is the current concept:

After realising what changes needed to be made I made some adjustments through sketching.

Initial Concepts

The following three concepts were developed to further work from. Out of all three I am leaning towards concept two as I think it is the most appropriate, and a design that I am interested in taking further.

Initial Sketching / Design Realisation

Whilst in class I started the design development stage. After looking into the brief and what I needed I began sketching some ideas. I didn't really like any but they are helpful to start with and allow the development stage to begin.

After some initial design sketching, I realised some main features that I want my piece to consist of. These included being able to be stackable, portable, design orientated, easy to build and flat packed. I looked further in the the option of stacking, and then moved to creating a design orientated piece. I found this to be highly appropriate as design.made.trade is a very artistic and creative event which would make the chair very appropriate.

Event Research: Displays at the Event

From researching I found there to be a range of displays at the event which were very helpful in determining the overall style of Design Made Trade. Some of the main displays included furniture, lighting, graphic design and product design. Some examples are shown below.

Initial Research: Existing Pieces of Interest

I decided to initially have a look at some existing pieces on the market that were of interest. It was so hard to choose a few, there are so many interesting chairs I like, all with their own individual touch!

Event Research: Chosen Event / Brief

I have chosen to design a furniture piece for Design Made Trade in Melbourne. I have been to this exhibition before and found it to be the perfect event. It looks at working with cardboard in a strong way, as well as having a need for extra seating.

Event Research: Analysing Each Event

I have began to look into which event I would like to choose to design a chair for. To begin with I individually researched the three events given to us.

Esquisse Four - Understanding Form

I enjoyed making this piece, although by the end, although it didn't work out quite like we had planned, and was a lot harder then we imagined, it still held weight and we learnt a lot of lessons from it.

‘Be4U’ - Furniture Design History Part 1