FOLDED CHAIR

Design involves the complex interaction between systems of making, utility, and aesthetics of human experience. A chair embodies the complexities of design, as it requires the attention of human form, function, craft, and poetics of comfort and delight. You will address systems of logic, human experience, and craft in the project. In the end the success will be measured by the transparent harmony of systems, where the totality of the aesthetic experience reflects back to the user and the act of sitting. 

A central aspect of the design process will be prototyping, making and testing form and shape, materials, and finishes. Trail and error, testing, and creative experimentation will be the key foundational experience of the project. 

Design and construct a chair for relaxing in an informal setting. Comfortable for drinking a cup of coffee, holding a friendly discussion, reading a book, or using a tablet or laptop computer in a casual manner.  

Create the chair from a single sheet of 16 or 18 gauge sheet metal. The fabrication process is limited to cutting on the water jet cutter, hand finishing, folding, and bending the sheet metal. (Welding and mechanical fasteners are not allowed.)

  • Investigate human form and chair design with a president study of the Eames Plywood Chair
  • Experiment with techniques such as origami and contemporary paper folding.
  • Experiment and prototype chair ideas by folding paper and cardboard to construct models.  
  • Experiment and study metal fabrication and metal finishing
  • Publish and promote design process and final prototype in web and social media. 

TEAMS:

  •  Susie, Billy, Drew, Shelby 
  • Levi, Cierah, Mark
  • Geng, Janessa, Lycan  
  • Logan, Brittany, Carrie

TEAM RESPONSIBILITES 

To be successful each team will need to have leadership in various aspects of the project. Take the time to divide the team leadership responsibilities per the topics below. Each of the areas are about leadership, responsibility and oversight of the activities.

  • Technical Fabrication - Demonstrates leadership and technical acuity in material fabrication, craft, and the process of making the chair in physical form. 
  • Technical Computer Graphics - Demonstrates leadership in the technical acuity of createing digital computer graphics such as digital drawings and models. 
  • Technical Digital Communications and Photography (May be divided if you team had four team members.) Demonstrates leadership and technical acuity in digital web communications, social media and photography. 

Teamwork is NOT dividing the "doing" of the responsibilities. Team work is finding a solution bigger and better than any individual. 

Team leadership responsibilities are about:

  • Understanding what to do by listening to others concerns, then acting. 
  • Taking the time to lead by learning and understanding the topics in depth, then disseminating the understanding to team members. 
  • Having understanding and oversight to the standards and needed to have high quality projects. 
  • Leading by doing what you what to see in your team members. Do what you want others on the team to do. 
  • Build positive relationships thought understanding other concerns and clear communication of expectations.