Saturday, 12 January 2013

The Final Product.

The design has its epitome, gone through several changes and developments, but I think it's completed. 






Regarding the design;
Shape - To keep true to the research, as well as the original concept, I wanted the chair to be reminiscently shaped like the human skull. The decision to add shelving for books and other reading materials was inspired by the fact that the skull houses the brain, invoking a feeling of deep thought and intellect. This is further emphasised by the wooden section which houses a lighting fixture. 

Colour - Keeping the outside of the chair white was a risky idea, for neutral colours can sometimes be rather bland and unattractive. This is why the inner chamber, as well as the desired fittings for seating, are coloured in red. Had this been an actual product, it would be interesting to have a selection of colours for the seating. This reflects upon the fact that the outer shell of the skull, which is white, can relate to the monotonous design of the skull, as most skulls hardly differentiate from one another, yet, the ability to change the seats colour can invoke deep imagination, the true colours of ones inner thoughts. 

For the sake of perspectives, I decided to make last minute side sketches of the front and back view.  

Finalising the Design.

Before actually posting the finalised design, I wanted to make a note on its last process. By looking at both variations of the design, I noticed that the second one would perhaps appeal to more individuals. Reason being that the shape of the skull is still there, but not as blatant as the first design.

Seeing that skulls are not the favoured object, I decided to make it a little more transparent, more appealing to the general public. For aesthetic reasons, I kept the idea of being able to store books within the chair itself.

It's coming together, so the final thoughts will come in the last post.  

Friday, 11 January 2013

Fibreglass Production

During my research on modern day fibreglass production, I came across this video on day to day fibreglass factory procedures in order to create the basic form of seating.





Video URL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v6CL8CeNpw
Accessed 11/01/13 @ 12.49pm.
All rights belong to Modernica. 

Wednesday, 9 January 2013

Chair concept - Variation and Materials.

I took the original concept and made a second variation, one that focuses more on simplicity and reminisce of the skull. 

Variation #2
Left - Side View
Right - Frontal

Where the nasal cavity of the skull would be stands the main reclining for seating. The back can be 'unzipped' in a way that it reveals more space leading into the cranium. Again, I repeated the lighting fixture to convey a feeling of deep thought. 

I think a suitable material would be fibreglass.

Fibreglass is a great alternative to metals. It rather inexpensive, lightweight, durable, and easily formed during molding processes. 

Saturday, 29 December 2012

Initial Design - Explained.

This post is a response to the following post.
http://gabrielchecuti.blogspot.com/2012/12/library-chair-crossover-another-idea.html

I wanted to 'decipher' or rather explain how I reached such as design from my research.
I decided to first analyse the subject of Macabre, in particular, between two separate cultures that have their own unique views on the subject.

Medieval Period, the origins of 'Danse Macabre'.
As previously discussed, the skeletal figures were painted in such a way that they should be feared, or inspire dread in the viewer. The rotting skin tones and defined anatomy support this.

Overall response from said culture, Negative.


Aztec/South American culture, 'Calavera' or 'El dia de los Muertos'
Again as mentioned, bursting with colour, rounded shapes, more comical rather than anatomical, also, floral patterns are heavily emphasised.

Overall response, Positive.


By taking both aspects of both cultures, I wanted to achieve the reminiscent anatomy of the skull, yet but also giving it some clean, rounded features that makes it appealing as a piece of furniture, as well as a work of art. Having a lighting fixture within the skull would be ideal. Aesthetically, the light within the cranium would imply deep thought or ideas. 

Sunday, 16 December 2012

Evil Robot Designs - Revisiting Giger.

During my research, I came across a company that designs products taken from renowned series and pop culture. Coincidentally, they had developed an actual lamp shade using H.R Giger's Xenomorph design.

Which comes back to the theme, Transformation.
Its evident that these designers took the Xenomorph and created it into a dynamic and animated piece of furniture.

'Alien Nation', ND, Evil Robot Designs
                      Height: 57cm
                      Width: 20cm
                      Depth 20cm 
               Shade: 38cm x 18cm 

Enlarged view of the Xenomorphs


Source :
Evil Robot Designs (online), Available at [http://evilrobotdesigns.com/aliennation/],[Accessed 16/12/12]

Library Chair Crossover - Another Idea

Upon browsing for ideas, I decided to take a different approach. I put my original ideas aside and researched chairs that incorporated book libraries.

To break the ice, I came across this chair in particular.

'BIBLIOCHAISE +:
Measures in centimetres: 102 x 86 x 74,5
Measures in inches: 40,16 w x33,86 l x29,33'

I took the idea of having the library within the chair itself and built upon it.
A small concept of my own.

The concept incorporates the human skull as well as the seating and library elements.
Its something I might build on eventually.


Source of first chair.

http://www.nobodyandco.it/sito/inglese/the%20bibliochaise.html