ONLINE SURVEY
The survey had 16 questions and 161 responses were received.
are interested to immediately use a comfortable reading chair in parks
frequently change their posture while reading
believe that a comfortable and useful chair can encourage people.
believe that nature positively affects the reading experience.
65%
77%
83%
84%
The next step was to collect quantitative data through a survey. The online survey was distributed through different social media platform to the target user group (book readers).
DESIGN GOALS
A comfortable reading chair should prevent dangerous postures while giving the user the flexibility to easily change posture. Additionally, it should have an appealing appearance.
The user group was decided to be in the age range of 18 to 40 years old.
usage environment
flexible
ergonomic
appealing
INTERVIEWS
Then, I had interviews with 6 users.
some users have read in parks before
users like to experience reading in parks
they all mention the problems with uncomfortable furniture
almost all users like to/ have to change their posture frequently
users believe reading in park can be more beneficial
QUESTIONS
FINDINGS
DEFINING THE PROBLEM
I started the secondary research with literature review focused on the different aspects of the "reading environment".
unpleasant reading environment decreases reading comprehension and pleasure
parks have the restorative effect of nature, and can be an alternative reading environment
most furniture in parks are not comfortable to be used for a long-time activity like reading
3 FACTS
most people in Iran do not have access to a pleasant reading environment
OPPORTUNITY AREA
OBSERVATION
I asked a user to try to take the different postures that she typically has or seen people having in both Home, and a park. The purpose was to observe the user's reading postures and behaviors as well as focusing on the ergonomics.
seats in park are not ergonomic
user likes to sit cross legged or lean to the side
user frequently changes posture
the wide arm of sofa is used to put the book on
the seat does not create privacy
most postures are seriously harmful
Everyone knows that reading for pleasure is important, but encouraging people to read has long been a huge social problem in Iran. Quite rarely, I had seen one or two people sitting on a park bench while reading. That sparked the idea of "Reading in Parks", and I decided to find how it can be achieved.
Bachelor of industrial design / Undergraduate Capstone Project / Iran / 2021-2022
NICHE CHAIR
Participatory design of a chair for reading in parks
SKETCHING AND IDEATION
Based on the findings from Secondary and Primary research, I started sketching the initial forms.
THE FIRST PARTICIPATORY WORKSHOP
I had a workshop with 5 users to review the sketches and discuss ways to improve them based on the research findings.
users chose these 4 designs out of the 8 finalized sketches, and add their comments.
THE SECOND PARTICIPATORY WORKSHOP
In the second workshop with the same 5 users, we reviewed the refined 4 final designs, discussed the necessary improvements according to the research findings and user suggestions, and at the end chose one final design.
this chair was chosen because it had the most potential for incorporating the research findings and final features.
empty space under the arms
cup and pencil holder
lighting and shade
wider arms
open gaps under the arms
WHAT SHOULD BE ADDED:
the hole is added to prevent pain in the lumbar area, and to empty rainwater from the seat
the empty space under the arms provides more free space for changing posture or storing belongings
the arms are wide enough for users to put books and other belongings on
Niche Chair creates the comfortable niche that people like to have when reading, in addition to some fun and useful features; all in a new and restorative environment.
the back and seat are made of flexible foam to increase comfort
the seat provides enough space for users to have any posture that they want, and easily change it
THE FINAL PRODUCT
Opening the Shade by turning the handle