Author ········· Seung Jun Sim (Peter Sim)
Meduim ········· Solidwork / Keyshot / Photoshop
Published ········· Fall 2020
Language ········· English
Material ········· Pine Wood / Stainless Steel / Fabric

THE TENDER CHAIR

MUJI^® inspired outdoor lounge chair design collections

“To be confident in a simplicity that feels in no way inferior to splendor.”
-Ikko Tanaka, First Art Director of MUJI

The majority of MUJI furniture contain distinctive design. Within a concise design concept, MUJI always requires a high-quality product at “lower than usual” retail prices. MUJI has a straightforward strategy for indoor lounge chairs, but I did not feel it suited outdoor lounge chairs. The key focus is still the concept of concise and simplicity but the mood of vacation on top of it. The lounge chair is always the design opportunity, but extra preference for relaxing to allow customers to feel relaxed at home.

An outdoor lounge chair is a piece of furniture that allows people to use it outside and have comfort. Since many contemporary people are too busy living their own life, they always desire a vacation to rest. MUJI has a distinctive and straightforward outdoor lounge chair. However, the purpose of the outdoor lounge chair needed to show up adequately. When people have a vacation, they usually go to the pool or camping or even to the front yard of their house. Considering this environment, if the chair has a mood of natural resources, people would feel they are on vacation anytime. The material of bentwood and nature's perspective will make people think of holidays.

The movement of the wind inspires the overall flow. The first insight and imagination through the word “vacation” ends with the term “nature.” The personal perspective of the “nature” movement motivated how the chair is curved in and out. Adding on the ergonomics of how people are most comfortable to lay beside the bed, the lines inside the chair are the flow of how people would sit down once they are in the chair. The chair is made with curved wood, which provides nature but also shows the mood of chillness by having small spaces in each wood pattern.

Rubber string is an excellent material for outdoor lounge chairs due to its stretchability, which ensures a high level of comfort. Unlike the rigid form of typical lounge chairs, the rubber molds to the body of the person sitting, offering a personalized fit. This quality makes rubber a practical choice for outdoor seating, providing tailored support. The fusion of steel tubing, rubber, and a minimalist style, inspired by the MUJI design, results in a piece that promotes comfort without being influenced by the surrounding environment or complex design elements.

This outdoor lounge chair is a testament to the synergy between material innovation and minimalist design. Featuring rubber strings as the primary seating material, the chair offers unparalleled comfort due to its natural stretchability. Unlike conventional rigid lounge chairs, the rubber adapts to the body, providing a personalized and ergonomic fit.

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