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Sal is a sculpted hardwood lounge chair inspired by the serene beauty of nature and its organic curves.

Timeline --
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Spring 2024
10 weeks
Role --
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Product Designer
User Researcher
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For --
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Ind Des Studio 2024
Programs --
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Fusion360
Adobe CC
     Ps, Ind, Ai
OVERVIEW
Capturing Nature
Sal is a hardwood lounge chair inspired by the serene beauty of nature. The flowing form emulates the branches of a tree, featuring organic curves that blend seamlessly into one another. Sal, despite its inherently rigid material, feels inviting and evokes a sense of tranquility. With its wide armrests and contoured seat, Sal provides a comfortable lounging experience for all and brings a much needed touch of nature into any living space.
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Through clay sculpting, I ideated the form and applied it to the very contrasting medium of hardwood. Wood shop tools and angle grinders were then used to bring this concept to life.



Click to view more:
Sal, 2024
‍Nikon D3500 photo

CONTEXT

PROJECT OVERVIEW
What is the Objective?
Design and build an ergonomically considered chair that comfortably fits a range of body types.

- Must hold up to 300 lbs
- Contain no upholstery
- Be no more than 20 lbs
- Seat height min of 8”, max of 18”
PREPARATION
Observing Real Life
Leading up to the kick-off of this project, I made an effort to observe the chairs around me. I took note of key features, materials, comfort levels etc. in order to gain a better feel and understanding of chair design.

01. RESEARCH

RESEARCH
Current Market
I chose to compare chairs I saw in-store which I felt drawn to in either comfort or look. From the comparison, I found that lounge chairs had lower seat heights, longer seat depths, as well as wider seat widths on average.
RESEARCH
Ergonomics
I tested the ergonomics for a lounge chair based off of the average dimensions gathered from the Humanscale 1/2/3 Manual.

With every test run, I made subtle changes to my measurements and angles as I got feedback from users of various builds/heights.

02. IDEATION

IDEATION
Finding a Form
In the beginning of my ideation, I focused on finding a balanced yet interesting form. As I sketched, I became drawn to armrests as they helped to create unique silhouettes.
IDEATION
Concept Selection
After evaluating all of my ideas, I settled on this final form. This concept drew inspiration from sculpture and nature and its form was largely influenced by my choice to prototype with clay.

04. CONSTRUCTION

SEE THE FULL PROCESS