Initial Research

After drawing up some initial thoughts and ideas on how an office chairs form and function can be revisited and rethought, I will undertake extensive research regarding existing chairs sold and those currently being developed in the marketplace. This will allow me to further develop my ideas regarding the redesign of this conventional form, and assist me in generating my own sketches and ideas.

Features to Consider when Purchasing an Office Chair

Here are the top five features users should consider when buying a desk chair;

1. Does the Chair Support Good Posture or Bad Posture?

2. Chair Type;

- Heavy use- those who sit at a desk for very long hours, focus on comfort

- Moderate use- those who are not constantly at their desk but spend a moderate amount sitting, less luxurious than heavy use chair

- Executive use- moderate use chairs which are fairly posh and comfortable, focus on style and comfort but they are not for extended periods of sitting

3. The Arm Rests

4. Fabric – must be appealing yet comfortable

5. Stability

http://www.posturesupportnet.com/good-posture/bad-posture/top-8-features-to-consider-in-a-desk-chair

Traditional Office Chairs

http://www.furnitureinfashion.net/product_info.php?products_id=6727

http://www.new-2you.co.uk/product.php?productid=16342&cat=279&page=1

http://web.2u.net.my/fair_touch//2_3.php?PHPSESSID=a15db777071ed60dcd596487b362b905

The problem with traditional office chairs;

- The office chair legs with wheels on the end often leads to it running away from the user or moving when unwanted as the form is not heavy enough to hold it in place

- The ‘L’ posture that the seat itself generally requires users to undertake is a fairly rigid and upright position which does not allow for relaxation

- They often squeak and creak due to metal to metal contact generally where the back attaches to the chair seat

- The materials used on the seat cover becomes relatively comfortable when users sit on the office chair for long periods of time

- The design aesthetic of these chairs, although functional, is not very creative and interesting

- The materials are rather generic and disinteresting

Traditional Office Chairs Developed Further

1. http://www.gizmodiva.com/2009/02/index.php?page=3

2. http://blog.distinctivechesterfields.co.uk/category/office-chairs

3. http://kitchentablesfurniture.com/office_furniture.htm

4. http://www.workspacestyle.com/2009/05/how-low-can-your-office-chair-go.html

5. http://arhzine.com/modern/tag/office/

6. http://sallytv.blogspot.com/2008/02/arpaf-peter-morris-and-i-talk-about.html

The problem with these office chairs;

- Some of the above issues that the traditional office chairs had, still exists with these as although they have been creatively developed further, they lack complete uniqueness and individuality

The benefits of these office chairs;

- I like the new materials used on these chairs e.g. the wood and leather combined

- They creatively differ slightly from the generic office chair

- New shapes have been implemented to take the traditional work chair to a new level