Shifting Furniture for the young single
Ben Rodgers / Senior Thesis
Preface: Furniture is one of the most basic catagories of objects. A piece of furniture almost always interacts directly with the user's body, usually in a manner that facilitates the user to perform very neccessary functions of life such as sleeping, eating, and working. Few other objects enjoy this perminence of demand. It also takes many forms and serves a large number of functions from solely decorative to vitaly functional. However, for the purposes of this design exercise I will be examining its possibilities strictly within the range of useful functions. That being said I have narrowed my focus to an even more particular market: young singles. It is a classic problem that tends to be a source of humor for many a joke and college story. The filthy second hand couch, a coffee table on cinder blocks, the absence of an ironing board, and so much more... Many such problems stem from a simple lack of funds or space to meet all the furniture needs. My aim is to address this issue.
What’s Out There? Brands
I'll get it myself!
Mom and Dad helped.
Target Market: My targeted consumer base for a product from this project is any unmarried individual living away from his or her parents. Ideally this person would be 18 to 30 years old and either male or female and could possibly have one or more roommates. They will likely be fashion conscious but also on a very limited budget. Space is also an issue as many singles apartments and college dorms are less than roomy.
Existing Products recent research
While the Cubba-Bubba chair by Velichko Velikov may be more applicable as a public piece it still serves as an excellent example of multiple uses for a seemingly simple shape. Not only does it provide five different seating options but also serves as a table and appears quite stackable.
This modular shelving unit by Giorgio Caporaso is an excellent example of rearrangement. Were it structurally sound enough to support a person's weight it would be even more in line with the needs I intend to meet.
Stool and cafe table all in one ,Tio, is the brainchild of Leigh Ryan. It is a clean and simple design offering a very convenient solution. However, this is all dependent on the design of the joints shown as bent yet load bearing. Engineering and materials would be critical to consider.
This nesting chair design is even more multi-faceted than shown. Each cube piece also has a chair back that is pulled up by a handle. Another excellent example of good use of simple shapes.
Dinning setting from sphere.
The floor as an interactive surface?
Yet To Come... -Use interviews and surveys to better determine specific consumer desires. -Work on brand identity and possible family line themes. -Initial sketches and ideation.