We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Ming-Li Chang about their original and creative Guest Chair design work. Ming-Li Chang is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original guest chair works.
Ming-Li Chang ("MC") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Lotus Guest Chair. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
MC : Lotus is a guest chair designed to bring-forth a translation of traditional Ming Dynasty chair design for a modern home environment. The design was inspired by a Ming Dynasty folding chair that was created to allow high-class generals to maintain a symbolic status through furniture during an outing.
MC : There’s a Chinese idiom that describes the growth of a lotus flower, out of the mud yet unstained. “Lotus” in Chinese is Lian, a character that is also in my late grandmothers name. Having lived through such a turmoil part of Chinese history my grandmother was still the kindest, generous, warmest, and purest of heart person I knew. All of which are emotions I wanted to convey through this chair.
MC : I hope to be able to push this design further and find a brand I can work with to bring this chair to a wider audience.
MC : From the first version to the final version, the different variations in design and prototypes took took about half a year.
MC : This design came to be because of a thought and inspiration that came from my family and culture. I also wanted to take on the challenge of designing a wooden chair. I think it is so cool for a design to have their own wooden chair.
MC : I wish to be able to sell my design to a brand and company that can work with me to bring this design to more people's homes.
MC : I just really wanted to design a wooden chair. There's something so magical about a wooden chair. A well designed wooden chair carries a lot of emotions and meaning.
MC : Other than being influenced by a historical Ming dynasty chair I was also under the influence of Cory Grosser, someone who I worked closely with for the past years. I also take a lot of inspiration from designers that are so culturally keen like Neri & Hu and Kengo Kuma.
MC : The taget customer would be someone who enjoys a clean and approachable guest chair in their home.
MC : The structure is unique to wood joinery methods in China and the two toned contrasting finish makes is subtly standout.
MC : There’s a Chinese idiom that describes the growth of a lotus flower, out of the mud yet unstained. “Lotus” in Chinese is Lian, a character that is also in my late grandmothers name. Having lived through such a turmoil part of Chinese history my grandmother was still the kindest, generous, warmest, and purest of heart person I knew. All of which are emotions I wanted to convey through this chair.
MC : I used Solidworks and other software but quickly moved to a lot of hands-on mock ups and prototyping. Drawing and sketching over prototypes is extremely effevtive for me.
MC : The joinery method and the two toned wood finish.
MC : I worked with local craftsmen in China to figure out and understand the lap joint.
MC : Technology was used to create the CAD model and drawings to help communicate with craftsmen. We went back and forth with 3D printed models and working with local Chinese craftsman to understand how everything can be put together while maintaining the structure and proportions that I wanted with the design.
MC : Research mainly went behind the building method, materials, and finishes for the design.
MC : This chair went through multiple rounds of full scale prototypes. Turns out, figuring out the promotions and scales of wooden chair is really really hard.
MC : I thought that A'Design could help push my design further through the deep rooted platforms that it can provide.
MC : I learned to be more expressive with my details and how to be more convincing with my storytelling.
MC : I just want to express how thankful I am for all the support and recognition I have had with this project from the family and friends around me.
