There have been a lot of discussions about how artificial intelligence affects designers and design in general. This will continue to be a hotly debated topic in the next few years. There are those that believe this is heralding the death of the creative industry while there are those that believe that it can help brands and designers streamline processes and can foster innovation and experimentation. Italian furniture brand Kartell and French architect and designer Philippine Starck seems to be of the latter school of thought as they unveiled their A.I. collection

Designer: Philippe Starck and Kartell (and A.I.)

This collection features eco-friendly pieces of furniture that were a result of input from Kartell and Starck and streamlined by A.I. particularly in terms of prototyping and planning. It was able to contribute to make the collection sustainable and optimize the materials used resulting in reduced waste. Creating eco-friendly products is the ultimate goal and the combination of design, production, and A.I. helped achieve this.

The A.I. Lounge uses thermoplastic techno polymer with a mineral filler. It is available in white, black, green, and gray and can be used both indoors and outdoors or wherever you want to lounge around. The H.H.H Her Highest Highness meanwhile is a chair that should make you sit like a royal. The way the back is shaped will force you to sit as if on a throne. It uses green polycarbonate material for the eco-friendly aspect.

The A.I. Console meanwhile is a minimalist small table that can be placed in the foyers, vestibules, entrances, and hallways, or anywhere you need to have a small stand or table for your stuff. It sports a one legged design and is made from recycled Illy iPerEspresso coffee capsules. You can get it in orange, white, gray, or black.

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The furniture design industry is increasingly crowded with visually striking creations, and standing out requires a blend of innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Gustav Düsing’s Space-Frame series, though conceived over a decade ago as an architectural experiment, offers a refreshing perspective that seamlessly merges cutting-edge production technologies with timeless design principles.

Designer: Architect Gustav Düsing

The Space-Frame series, crafted from Baltic Birch plywood, brings back the charm of childhood 3D wooden puzzles, this time, in life-size form. What sets this collection apart is its utilization of space-consuming structural elements, aptly named space-frames, which serve as the foundation for its intricate yet functional designs.

Chair23D, a standout piece from the series, draws inspiration from iconic lobby chairs like the Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe. Its complex three-dimensional structure is a testament to Düsing’s mastery, ingeniously assembled without the need for adhesives or screws. Instead, it mimics the human skeleton, with a spine, ribs, and pelvis, resulting in a stable, self-contained system that defies conventional assembly methods.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Space-Frame series embodies a commitment to sustainability. Crafted from Baltic Birch plywood, a renewable resource, these pieces offer a guilt-free indulgence for environmentally conscious consumers. Furthermore, their flat-pack design not only minimizes shipping costs and space but also reduces fuel consumption, making them a truly eco-friendly choice.

Düsing’s design ethos is evident in every facet of the series, from its honest construction to its meticulous attention to detail. Unlike conventional CNC-cut furniture, which often exposes unsightly joints, Düsing’s designs cleverly conceal such imperfections while transforming them into visual elements in their own right. It’s this fusion of form and function that sets this series apart, elevating it from mere furniture to functional art.

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When we choose furniture, we probably do so for their primary purpose, like a chair for sitting, a table for placing things on, a bed for sleeping, etc. But we also see some pieces that can serve more than one purpose and this is particularly useful for those that either have a small space or need something that’s portable and multi-purpose at the same time. It’s also an added bonus if the piece is well designed enough that it can also have a decorative purpose.

Designer: Kosmos Architects

You can say that this latest creation from Zurich-based Kosmos Architects fits all those categories. They were inspired by the idea of the different numbers and dots on the dice and this became the core aspect of the design. The Dice as they called it, looks nothing like the square piece but is instead a four-in-one piece of portable furniture. It’s a stool, coffee table, leg bench, and a lamp in one. How it turns into each of these four furniture typologies depends on how you turn it, hence the dice inspiration.

When you put the flat surface on top, whether it’s the round or square surface, it becomes a small coffee table that can hold your drinks, books, or any objects that can fit onto it. The flat surfaces can also serve as the seat if you wish to use it as a chair. The two legs serve as the support so you don’t topple over or the items you placed on the table don’t fall because it’s wobbly. The other part of The Dice is the lamp which has a hollow inside and a frosted glass for protection.

This weirdly shaped piece of furniture is light enough that you can hang it if you just want to use it as a lamp. It can even fit into a huge tote bag if you need to carry it around. It uses oak wood as its main material and its 3D-shape was made through KUKA robotics technology. If you don’t want to use any of its functional properties, you can just place it in your space and it would look like a piece of wooden sculpture.

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Bordering on visually uncomfortable, this rocking chair from Instagram user Muddycap has us captivated for all the right reasons! The chair has a highly unusual design, with severely jagged edges that simulate the feeling of movement. Building on the concept of visual permanence and the motion blur, this chair creates the illusion of being in constant motion, even when it’s standing still.

Designer: Muddycap

The Fast Rocking Chair, as it’s aptly called, comes crafted from Maple wood and secured with a coat of paint to hide the wood-grain which would give the illusion away. Each chair features different pieces of wood, cut using a mechanical saw to match the unique shapes, and joined together using traditional joineries. The result is a chair that looks cartoonishly fast, prompting you to spend more time looking at it. Sure, you could sit on it too – it might look jagged but it isn’t uncomfortable.

The jagged design exists only on the side profiles, so there’s really no danger of you hurting yourself while sitting on the rocking chair. The seat and armrest are flat, and the backrest has a mild corrugated design. That being said, the chair is definitely a health hazard for kids and pets who may often run around the house. While most furniture have a few sharp edges, the Fast Rocking Chair is essentially an invitation to the ER for children or pets with zoomies, or adults with ADHD.

However, the rocking chair makes for a really fun visual experiment. Muddycap’s entire Instagram profile is filled with such explorations, aiming at turning furniture into conversation pieces rather than have them stuck in the realm of hardcore functionality. The rocking chairs obviously aren’t for sale, although there’s no denying that they certainly do look rather mesmerizing.

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The recent collaboration between Kartell, the distinguished Italian furniture brand, and Mattel, the creative force behind Barbie, has resulted in an extraordinary collection of chairs that blurs the boundaries between furniture and art. Unveiled at Milan Design Week 2024, this partnership represents a significant milestone in design history, as it merges Kartell’s Philippe Starck-designed chairs with the timeless charm of Barbie.

Designer: Philippe Starck

Barbie’s enduring influence as a cultural icon cannot be overstated. From her origins as a children’s toy in 1959 to her recent portrayal in a live-action film, Barbie has continually evolved, captivating audiences worldwide and transcending her toy origins to become a symbol of empowerment and aspiration. Last year’s release of the Barbie movie further underscored her cultural significance, reshaping perceptions and highlighting her relevance across different age groups.

In response to Barbie’s multifaceted influence, Kartell and Mattel Creations embarked on an innovative partnership. Reimagining five of Kartell’s iconic chairs through a Barbie-inspired lens, the collection breathes new life into Philippe Starck’s designs, infusing them with Barbie’s signature style and charm.

The chairs, including the ‘Venice’, ‘Louis Ghost’, ‘Masters’, ‘Ero|S|’, and ‘AI’, have been meticulously recreated in both human and doll sizes, symbolizing Barbie’s 65-year legacy of inspiring imagination and creativity. Each chair, bathed in Pantone 219 C – the iconic Barbie Pink hue – is crafted from recycled plastic, highlighting the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

The genesis of this collaboration lies in Barbie’s ability to reinvent herself and resonate with audiences across generations. By transforming Kartell’s chairs into vibrant pink masterpieces, the collection pays homage to Barbie’s legacy of creativity and imagination. Crafted from recycled plastic and incorporating innovative materials such as bamboo, each chair embodies Barbie’s Dreamhouse aesthetic while also prioritizing sustainability—a testament to both brands’ commitment to environmental responsibility.

The debut of this remarkable collection at Milan Design Week captivated attendees, transporting them into a world where toys seamlessly merge with art. Displayed against the backdrop of Condé Nast’s Vogue Closet exhibition, the chairs became more than just functional pieces—they became cultural artifacts, inviting viewers to reconsider the boundaries between fantasy and reality.

In the words of Kartell, this collaboration represents a fusion “where toys become art, and art becomes toys.” By marrying Starck’s timeless designs with Barbie’s enduring allure, the Kartell x Barbie collection not only celebrates nostalgia but also invites us to embrace the power of creativity and imagination—a testament to the transformative potential of collaboration in the world of design.

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Just like a table, the most basic requirements for a chair are quite simple. It needs to be strong and stable enough to actually sit on, but comfort and convenience seem to be more open to interpretation than any other design element. Some brutalist designs look a little painful to sit on, meeting only the bare minimum of a chair, while others let your body literally sink inside its plushy cushions and make it difficult to pull yourself out quickly. And then there are designs like this concept that espouse simplicity and minimalism to convey a sense of beauty, but the end result, while visually successful, also raises concerns about its actual usefulness and comfort.

Designer: Mauricio Coelho

A chair isn’t a simple form that can be expressed in a single shape. After all, there are a few interconnecting planes needed to give it legs and an actual seat. A backrest is common but not obligatory, and armrests are even more optional. The Oco chair concept comes close to that simplicity of form while still providing a visually interesting piece, and it accomplishes that by employing a shape you wouldn’t always associate with a chair.

Bowl-shaped chairs are uncommon probably for a reason. A hollow half-sphere might not be the most comfortable thing to sit in unless you fill that space with cushions like what the Oco chair does. With extremely thin planes for legs, the bowl almost looks like it’s floating in mid-air. Made using carbon steel and fiberglass, the chair brings structural stability while also providing some subtle material details, like the wood-like grains of the spherical body.

But while it is indeed a sight to behold, closer inspection might make you rethink the comfort it promises. The thick cushions do look plus, but they might not provide enough support for the person’s back. Or at the very least the back cushion doesn’t have enough height to support someone leaning back, forcing them to sit upright without proper support, straining their body over time.

The bowl’s edges are also left exposed, which could scratch, cut, or press on a person’s skin, especially on the back of the legs and forearms. A few slight modifications, like lining the edges with soft fabric or changing the angle of the bowl could help improve the ergonomics of the design without ruining the simple geometric beauty that this concept wishes to convey.

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At Milan Design Week, we got to witness a range of intriguing flat-pack furniture by researchers from the Swiss design school ÉCAL. The interesting collection needs to be immersed in water to reach its final finished form. Dubbed Under Pressure Solutions or UPS, the furniture is crafted from thin and compressed sheets of cellulose sponge, which enables the products to be packed into flat parcels. In fact, some of the objects are compact enough to be pushed through a letterbox, facilitating more efficient shipping.

Designer: ÉCAL

Once you receive the products you need to soak them in the bath or shower, which allows them to blow up to around 10 times their original size in a few seconds. You then wrung out the sponge, and leave it to dry, hardening it, and forming a sturdy, durable, and self-supporting form of furniture that can support the weight of a person. The furniture collection is way better than conventional plastic foam when it comes to durability.

“Cellulose is a part of nature so, like a tree, it can be flexible and strong at the same time,” said ÉCAL researcher and industrial designer Christophe Guberan. The sponge is extracted from wood offcuts, and it is equipped with strength due to the same cellulose fibers that is utilized by a tree to reinforce its trunk and branches.

To create the sponge, the cellulose was derived from woodcuts. The cellulose was then chemically dissolved and regenerated to create sheets utilizing the same process that produces viscose and other cellulose textiles. Glauber’s salt is then added into those concoction, providing the sponge with its pores, and strengthening the cellulose’s ability to absorb water. This material is sold as standardized sheets that are then compressed and dehydrated to support smooth and easy transportation.

By adding small amounts of water, the various furniture pieces can become flexible once again, and they can be repaired by smoothing out any dents. And once the lifecycle of the furniture has been completed, it can be recycled or composted in the backyard.

The post Meet USP – A Sponge Furniture Collection You Can Grown And Expand In Your Own Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sustainable furniture is taking the design industry by storm, they’re a step towards making our homes and our daily lives more eco-friendly and sustainable. They’re an attempt to cast aside toxic materials, and instead, add furniture designs to our home that won’t rot away on Earth for years once we’re done with them. And one such intriguing and thoughtfully designed sustainable furniture design I recently came across is the Kelp Chair by Interesting Times Gang.

Designer: Interesting Times Gang

Designed by the Swedish design studio Interesting Times Gang, the Kelp Chair has a new and improved version. The new 3D-printed version of the Kelp chair is built from seaweed instead of recycled plastic! The original Kelp chair was designed in 2022 by Interesting Times Gang and it was made using recycled fishing nets and wood pulp. The chair was named because of the unique lines of its form, which were heavily inspired by ocean vegetation.

Since the chair was originally released, the studio wanted to recreate a new version made with its namesake algae! By using kelp, they were using an organism that has significant value in the steady conversion to bio-based materials. “Macroalgae play a vital role in capturing carbon and produce at least 50 percent of Earth’s oxygen,” said Interesting Times Gang. “Scaling up the cultivation and utilization of kelp has a pivotal role when it comes to mitigating the effects of climate change.”

The Kelp Chair is constructed from a kind of kelp called the Nordic sugar kelp. The Nordic sugar kelp is a brown seaweed that grows in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. This seaweed is then converted into a bioplastic, and then 3D printed. The Sugar Kelp cair also includes a cushion which is made from a material from an identical source. The unique upholstery is crafted from Keel Labs’ seaweed-based Kelsun fiber, while the foam filler is made from a kelp biofoam which is produced by the Norwegian start-up Agoprene. This innovative chair is supposed to be biodegradable till the end of its life cycle.

The post The Kelp Chair 2.0 Is Made Using Seaweed Instead Of Recycled Plastic first appeared on Yanko Design.

Something we often tend to do is ignore the importance of a great office chair. When in reality we really shouldn’t. We spend the majority of our day sitting on chairs, whether we’re working in our home office or a corporate one. Hence, this piece of furniture needs to be not only comfortable but ergonomic, and aesthetic as well. And we’ve curated a collection of chair designs that meet all these criteria! From a task chair that is made using 70% recycled materials to a fortune cookie-inspired wooden work pod – these innovative chair designs are not only a boon to your back, and help you maintain a healthy posture, but are also super comfy to sink into, and will perfectly match the interiors of your modern office. Enjoy.

1. Coffin Chair

This intriguing-looking office chair is shaped like a coffin, and it perfectly encapsulates the emotions you may feel regarding your dead-end corporate job. This innovative and unique chair is created for those who are fed up with their jobs, but cant really leave, and need to process their emotions in a healthy manner.

Why is it noteworthy?

The conceptual chair design perfectly encapsulates all the dreaded emotions employees usually experience throughout their workday. It captures the sense of boredom, and mundaneness one experiences as they sit through a pointless meeting that could have very easily been an email.

What we like

• The chair is inspired by Rene Magritte’s painting titled The Balcony (1950)
• It perfectly represents the emotions of having a dead-end job

What we dislike

• There’s no cozy cushioning to get comfy in, it could be uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time

2. Typo Chair

Called the Typo Chair, this minimal yet powerful office chair by AMDL Circle for the furniture brand Mara deserves a spot in your office. What sets this rather ordinary-looking chair apart is its playfully bent form, which serves as a unique and uncommon element.

Why is it noteworthy?

The ergonomic office chair features a light timber base and backrest, and it has a gentle curve in its form. This shape sets the chair apart from typical chair designs, and it functions as the ‘focal point’ of the entire design.

What we like

• The colored metal structure contrasts the subtle wood creating a vibrant silhouette
• Features an intentional detail that adds personality to an otherwise basic chair

What we dislike

• There seems to be no option for customization

3. Vitra ACX

The Vitra ACX is designed as a collaboration between Vitra and Antonio Citterio. It is an excellent fit for your corporate or home office, and it is designed to have a “long service life with the smallest possible carbon footprint”.

Why is it noteworthy?

This chair is deemed to be ACX’s most sustainable task chair available, and it has a 100% recyclable construction, which is truly commendable. The chair is made using a limited number of components, and this ensures that maintenance is quite easy and efficient.

What we like

• Made up of 100% recyclable materials
• Features a mechanism that automatically adjusts to different kinds of users

What we dislike

• Aesthetics are a bit dull and unassuming

4. Sphere Office Chair

Dubbed the Sphere office chair, this good-looking and well-designed chair by the Japanese furniture brand Okamura is built using recycled fishing nets that were saved from the ocean. The unique chair features a “3D physical fit shell” with a kinematic structure that adapts to the contours of your body.

Why is it noteworthy?

Since the chair features a unique kinematic structure, it quite accurately adjusts to the user’s body, creating a comfy shell where users can sit for long periods of time, without feeling any kind of discomfort or fatigue.

What we like

• Easily adapts to the contours of the user’s body, serving as a comfy space to sit in

What we dislike

• The aesthetics of the chair are quite similar to other office chairs on the market

5. Catifa Carta

Meet the Catifa Carta – a beautiful minimalist sustainable chair that is made from dozens of sheets of paper. The chair isn’t literally made from paper, as that would be too soft, it is made from PaperShell – a unique material that transforms paper which comes from wood into a wood-like material.

Why is it noteworthy?

This excellent wood-like material provides rigidity, stability, and beauty. It utilizes wood-by products like chips and sawdust, and waste wood too like fallen branches in forests to form a new paper-like material that can replace wood, plastic, or fiber composites.

What we like

• The natural imperfections of the PaperShell give each chair a unique characteristic

What we dislike

• Not sure how effective the ergonomics of the chair are for sitting for longer durations of time

6. Liberty Ocean Chair

Designed by Humanscale, the Liberty Ocean Chair is as its name signifies built using one kilogram of abandoned fishing nets found in the ocean. This unique chair is quite a sustainable option since it utilizes recycled fishing nets. It aims to provide a solution to the issue of ocean plastic!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Liberty Ocean chair range claims to be “first task chairs made from recycled fishing nets”, and is a valiant effort on Humanscale’s behalf to tackle the evergrowing and consistent issue of ocean plastic.

What we like

• Ergonomic and minimal form
• First task chair to be crafted from recycled fishing nets

What we dislike

• The aesthetics of the chair are quite similar to other office chairs on the market

7. NEWTRAL MagicH

Meet the NEWTRAL MagicH – this is an ergonomic and intelligent chair design that features an auto-following backrest, as well as an auto-following and adjusting headrest. This chair is a great fit for those who spend long hours in their office, and find it difficult to take breaks and move around.

Why is it noteworthy?

The spring-loaded components of the chair contract when you’re reclining or sitting, and they offer support to your back and neck if you lean forward. The chair offers ample support to your body, no matter which position you’re sitting in. This chair provides the ultimate working experience.

What we like

• The chair offers support to your body and prevents any injuries

What we dislike

• The armrests, while highly adjustable, are not removable

8. The 5° Chair

Dubbed the 5° Chair, this unique office chair can rotate at 36-degree angles. It can learn back and forth, and even tilt side to side! This chair was created by the Seoul-based design firm 250 Design, and it is an excellent and ergonomically designed chair for your home.

Why is it noteworthy?

The seat plate of the chair hugs your hips and provides support from the bottom. The chair even features added cushion for more comfort. The legs have been reinforced with angled wave springs allowing them to tilt in any direction, creating a chair that can easily adjust to your body’s movement.

What we like

• The chair adjusts and works according to your body’s natural movement
• The chair features stationery mobility

What we dislike

• Doesnt include wheels, so the chair isn’t a portable design

9. Fortune Chair

Meet the Fortune Chair! It is a unique chair which is an interesting mix between a chair, pod, and a bean bag. The chair also looks like a fortune cookie, which explains its unique but pretty adorable name. The chair is inspired by a fortune cookie!

Why is it noteworthy?

Just like you crack a fortune cookie, the Fortune Chair captures the same experience and sentiment of cracking open a fortune cookie. The experience may be old-school, but it is still a fun and amusing thing to come across. The designers wanted to represent those same sentiments in this chair!

What we like

• Features a fortune cookie-inspired wooden outer wall, which serves as a covering frame that surrounds the user
• Functions as a comfy and cozy private space

What we dislike

• The chair has a unique aesthetic that may not complement the aesthetic of modern contemporary offices

10. uuma

Dubbed uuma, this portable chair and table combo is truly a unique one! It is made from fiberglass, and it offers a little unit with some impressive portability and durability. The chair functions as a customizable furniture unit, which is made up of 4 modular parts.

Why is it noteworthy?

uuma functions as a comfortable seat that can be raised or lowered on demand, and you can clip it to open to unveil a height-adjustable table, which is quite efficient to use as well. uuma lets you work wherever you like and whenever you like.

What we like

• uuma can be utilized in multiple settings both outdoors and indoors
• Has a highly portable and durable design

What we dislike

• The design may not be very ergonomic or comfortable to work on for long hours

The post 10 Best Office Chairs You Need To Add To Your Working Space ASAP first appeared on Yanko Design.

You don’t need a tiny home to invest in some clever multi-functional furniture. Sure, it helps save money and space when you’ve got a product that serves different purposes, but then again, owning such cleverly designed products is cool too! In collaboration with the esteemed Taiwanese design brand, Unipapa, Medium2 Studio introduces the Flip Dual-Function Ironing Board Mirror, an ingenious solution that seamlessly integrates the functionality of a full-length mirror with that of an ironing board. This innovative fusion addresses the perennial household dilemma of storing bulky ironing boards while adding a touch of elegance to interior spaces.

Designer: Ping-Lun Chung, Fang-Yu Chen, and Yen-Ting Lin

While the concept of a dual-function ironing board mirror isn’t entirely novel, the journey from concept to commercialization for the Flip involved extensive research and innovation, ensuring its practicality for everyday use. The crux of its design lies in what they term the “adjustable span transition.” Balancing the requirements of an ironing board, which demands a broad span for stability, with those of a full-length mirror, which necessitates a compact span to minimize space usage, presented a unique challenge.

To tackle this challenge, they engineered a structure with an adjustable span mechanism. This ingenious feature allows the Flip Dual-Function Ironing Board Mirror to seamlessly transition between its two functions with ease. Whether you’re preparing for a crisp attire with the ironing board or checking your reflection in the mirror, the interconnected structure simplifies the operation, enhancing overall convenience.

One of the most notable aspects of the Flip is its simplicity and practicality. Storing an ironing board is no longer a bulky task but simply a matter of placing it back in its designated spot. This effortless integration of two household essentials into one sleek design epitomizes the ethos of practicality meeting elegance.

Designed for individuals who embrace a minimalist lifestyle and appreciate multifunctional, space-saving objects, the Flip Dual-Function Ironing Board Mirror is a game-changer. Its sleek aesthetic seamlessly blends into any interior decor while offering unparalleled functionality. Whether you reside in a compact apartment or a spacious home, the Flip adds a touch of sophistication while optimizing space usage.

The post This absolutely genius floor mirror flips over into an ironing board to save space first appeared on Yanko Design.