FOREST STOOL
2023 | Industrial DesignFor this project, the task is to build a piece of seating tool from a piece of 3/4" x 4' x 4' plywood, that serves as a “seat at the table” for a specific topic.
Concept narrative + Proposal
In this fast-paced world we’re living in, we often get caught up in the rush of modern life and lose touch with nature.
My seating tool aims to offer users a way to reconnect with nature's calming and healing power. It takes inspiration from the nature and mimics the organic shapes of a forest. When you sit on it, you’re not just sitting on a wooden stool, but also on the top of a forest.
By bringing nature indoor, "Forest Stool" invites individuals to find balance and prioritize mental health.It’s a reminder that embracing nature is essential for our well-being.
Sketches
I started off by brainstorming different nature elements the stool can take inspiration from.
The idea of sitting on roots or trees stood out to me.
I was then inspired by layered papercut art, which stacks layer of paper that are cut to different shapes to create an illusion of depth.
Prototyping
Then, I exported my CAD model to Illustrator and laser cutted a scaled(1:5) version of the pieces on a thin plywood board. I assembled the pieces using wood glue.
The scaled model allowed me to visualize the design better and make adjustments for the full scale final piece.
Fabrication
I sliced my 3D model into 3/4” thick pieces in Rhino. Then I exported them to Illustrator, and started exploring ways to fit it into a square of 4' x 4'. It was a challenge, I had to go back and modify my 3D model multiple times so that they can all fit the plywood.
After the plan is finalized, I printed and cut the shapes out on paper. Then I traced the shapes onto the plywood.
During the whole fabrication process, I used panel saw, table saw, miter saw, vertical bandsaw, and handheld bandsaw to cut the wood into the shapes I designed; I used disc sander, orbital sander and detail sander to refine the shapes and smooth out any uneven or rough edges; finally, I used wood glue in combination with nail-and-staple guns to assemble all the pieces together.
