.Charette 1

Mind map of chair disposal



Prolonged product use






Physiological pleasure after market attachment





Psycho/socio attachment after market attachment





Final Concept - Stable







The proposed solution will allow the chair to be light and easy to manoeuver so can be used in social situations or out of convenience of the user. Social situations would include group of friends watching sport shows or movies on t.v together over dinner or at a backyard barbeque. Because it is a convenient solution, the user is able to utilise the chair anywhere. Additionally the chair can be diversely used so the proposed solution will improve the emotional attachment of the user to the chair.

The chair seat & back support will be made from polypropylene (moulded plastic) with stainless steel legs. These materials are light & durable, so easy to shift around living areas. The tray will also be made from polypropylene with a steel rotating hinge mechanism.

To use the tray attachment, the consumer would have to pull out the tray, which is hidden underneath the chair seat. When not in use the tray can be pushed back to underneath the chair becoming hidden, discreet and unobtrusive. In terms of context of use, the consumer will most likely use it when consuming foods or drink and instances where they require convenience such as in front of t.v or at parties.

A change in life circumstances (moving into an unfurnished new house), a type of lifestyle (businessman who spends more time in office than at home) and budget conscious (uni student living in a small apartment) are the stimuli that will encourage the user to modify the chair with the hidden tray attachment.

Charette reflection

This task has challenged me to think beyond the product's primary use. Long-term satisfaction, product attachment and product endurance are 3 primary factors that will enhance the product's value. These factors foster an emotional attachment to the product with the user thereby extending the product life. As designers you want to design a long-lasting solution so the product has no expiry date. Not just a solution that is disposable and fulfils one aim but so that the consumer will desire continually using the product for a life time. The task was a challenge as it involved problem solving however the way we tackled the task was to ultimately find a solution for potential problems.

Designing is a continual process so designing beyond the original product is typical. We are always continuing to improve existing designs as our context and values change. We redesign products so they can fit seamlessly into our changing lifestyles. Currently the earth is suffering as a result of previous generation's lack of concern for the environment and as a result sustainability is the primary goal in most product designs. We want to enhance the product for our own purposes but also to reduce negative impact on the environment.

I enjoy collaborative problem-solving activity as working with peers encourages us to think outside the square. One's idea can stimulate others to think further, fostering more ideas. After discussing problems associate with our design we were able to settle on a hinge mechanism as an appropriate solution to attaching our tray to the chair.

If I were to design a piece of furniture from scratch, how would I do it differently? I would most importantly understand how and in what context it would be used in. After the charette, by creating an emotional attachment with the user the product's life span can be greatly extended.