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. 

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

First step into development.

So from the research gathered, I've got some ideas up my sleeve.
I wanted to implement the stillness of the human skeleton with themes such as music or flexibility, also, finding a way to further emphasise colour.

What I came with are furniture pieces, static yes, but making them flexible as to reposition them, make them more alive, as well as to create intricate ways of storing things such as books or music records.

I drew some sketches, mainly of skulls with spines.
I'll bring them more together to make them appear more functional as to the final product.