We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Natalia Komarova about their original and creative Armchair design work. Natalia Komarova is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original armchair works.
Natalia Komarova ("NK") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Lollipop Armchair. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
NK : The main principle, as in my other works, was to give people bright, pleasant emotions. Chupa Chups form served as the basis and source of inspiration for creating the armchair.
NK : I wanted to evoke happy memories of childhood. Many people loved sweets in their youth, and some still do. It seemed to me that if an armchair is made in the form of a candy, it will, on a subconscious level, arouse a person’s sympathy.
NK : Together with a manufacturing company in the coming years, I plan to launch the production of these armchairs. In addition, I have ideas for the presentation at several design exhibitions.
NK : The idea to create the armchair came to me after visiting a museum of sweets. For several days I thought over the concept and then within two days I and my team determined the basic form and prepared the image.
NK : Most of my projects are created under a strong impression, I often get inspired by interesting forms of familiar things and use them in a new way in my projects. The concept of Lollipop is no exception.
NK : I am going to produce this chair using a third-party company engaged in the manufacture of upholstered furniture.
NK : I wanted to bring something new into the market of armchairs and show how important it is sometimes to look at ordinary things with a fresh look. This is a huge field for research and much can become a source of inspiration with the right approach.
NK : My team helps me. I propose a concept, and they find the most suitable solution for its implementation.
NK : Our company in general is aimed at young creative people just like ourselves. Such a design can also come down to taste for middle-aged people who appreciate the minimalist simplicity of forms and are ready for experiments.
NK : I think the idea of using the form of Chupa Chups as a catalyst for especially positive emotions sets this design apart from the others. With our work we tried to evoke a feeling of light nostalgia for childhood memories.
NK : Like my other projects, the title immediately explains the essence of the design and refers to the reference, which was taken as a basis.
NK : Most of the time was devoted to the selection of materials and the selection of the ratio of forms and position of individual elements for a comfortable seat. We used manual modeling and calculation of the backrest and the position of the armrests. For the rest were used computer programs: 3d max, Autocad, Photoshop.
NK : Here we used a harmonious combination of the shapes of several candies used for the seat, bachrest and armrests and bright colors, causing a desire to want it.
NK : In the process of development, we communicated with experienced orthopedists and traumatologists in order to achieve the most useful and healthy position of a user's back.
NK : We have tried to think about the ergonomics of the chair. It is easily disassembled and transported, and it is based on a lightweight construction.
NK : We tried several options, changed the proportions of the seats and armrests, until we reached the optimal ergonomic shape, the most comfortable for long sitting on the chair. We made all these changes based on the books devoted to the structure of the human spine, so that the chair was as thoughtful and comfortable as possible.
NK : It was necessary to achieve the effect of airiness and lightness. In addition, it was necessary to correctly determine which materials would be used. Thin and durable metal rods, that form the basis of the chair, minimize the amount of material used and significantly reduce the total weight.
NK : It seemed to me that due to the non-standard form and the feelings that it can cause in a viewer, the armchair can compete with other concepts and get a prize. Participation in contests and victories in them temper the character and give a strong emotional impulse to continue to engage in design. Winning a contest for me is an indication that I am doing everything right.
NK : I realized that you need to provide many details before sending the work to the competition. Now I am much more attentive to thinking through even the smallest details in each of my projects.
