The Granger Chair was inspired by the rural farmer of the Mid-West. It was designed to be a comfortable outdoor chair where people could peacefully sit.
Ideation
First conceptual design ideation. The purpose of my chair was to be a simple outdoor waiting chair. In my mind, the chair needed to connect with the assigned area, the intermediate region and the Mid-West, as a whole. At first, I wanted organic shapes that represented nature.
Problem-Solution brain storm. Many challenges are brought on by the outdoor elements. Finding a solution to a problem is very important while designing. An idea may work for a chair but having to consider the chair's location can change the entire design. The main concerns for an outdoor cardboard chair are sturdiness/durability and water resistance. Forming the cardboard into a grid type pattern would allow me to get strength and it would also give the chair water resistant qualities.
Conceptual designs that begin to stray away from the organic chair form. In this phase of the design process the focus shifted. The idea of Granger was formulated here. Granger is a synonym for farmer. It became important to find a symbol that represented the region as a whole and connected to the rural areas of the Mid-West. The idea of organic shapes shifted to structural forms (created objects) representative of the farm. The idea of the many bladed windmill was created here due to its relation to the farm and the rural community.
Basic windmill logo. This is the basis for my chair design.
Conceptual drawings of blade manipulation. This is where the chair begins to take form.
Scale Models
Inch and a half scale model pieces.
The grid pattern was important in the first model. I was able to get a simple understanding that the grid pattern would be able to support weight.
For the inch and a half model, I laminated pieces of chipboard to make the arm wider. While this was a viable option for strength, I wanted to convey the idea of the conservative farmer. I learned here that this model was using more material than it needed. In order to be conservative, I began to explore design options that would allow me to use less material.
Beginning of the 3-inch model creation. The arm becomes a separate piece of the chair. Lamination is no longer required. Grid pattern stays the same.
3-inch model with arms attached. The arms are created as triangles to give the chair support by using less materials.
3-inch model side view. The arms begin to take their shape. Three triangle pieces are formed to make a support and arm rests. The arm rests are a bent extension from the base to make them parallel to the seat. The bent portion of the arm is held together with a verticle piece of cardboard connecting the two arms. The verticle piece of cardboard slots into the main structure much like the grid pattern fits together.
Final Prototype. The base form stays the same.
For the final prototype the focus was on the arm connection points. The main alteration was within the triangular cross section. Changing the cross section from a verticle piece of cardboard to a triangular structure allowed for more contact points along the arm bend. The triangular cross section also pierces each layer of the main structure, making it stronger.
First concept to last concept.
Full Size Chair Development
Dimensions for my final chair created in Rhino.
Full size chair templates.
Full size cut pieces.
Assembly of the cut pieces begins.
Main structure is complete.
Arms are added to the full size chair.
Full size model is complete.
Model Line up!
Full size chair model in its assigned area.
The chair is fully functional. It is a good angle for lounging and faces out to give the sitter a view the surrounding area.
