DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
XHACY : An outdoor furniture piece that can function both as seating and as table top. The design research process for Omni began during the pandemic, with a primary focus on understanding the evolving needs in the furniture market. A comprehensive market research study was conducted to identify the specific requirements of the pandemic and postpandemic market. The findings revealed a growing demand for outdoor furniture due to the increased popularity of outdoor activities and a heightened emphasis on comfort and flexibility. Through an extensive study of public spaces, particularly public parks and college campuses, we meticulously examined the diverse activities taking place. Our observations allowed us to categorize these activities into two distinct types based on the desired furniture requirements: work and leisure. Building upon these insights, our research delved into the typical forms and arrangements of public seating, examining the interactions between individuals and public seating, as well as the limitations in functionality and aesthetics commonly associated with such seating.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
XHACY : Seating in public space that provide flexibility, functionality and aesthetics. We want to achieve a public furniture piece that serves both as seating and table top, is movable and aesthetically elegant. The piece can be placed outdoor and arrange freely into sitting and tabletop positions. Effortlessly rotate to switch between seating and tabletop modes, or effortlessly move it around outdoor spaces to create diverse seating arrangements or functional clusters that cater to different occasions and gatherings.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
XHACY : Promote and publicize the idea. Working on perfecting the prototype/
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
XHACY : 6 months to a year
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
XHACY : The pandemic drove us to view the world differently and found the market for such a original furniture piece that is currently missing from the market.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
XHACY : We currently hold to rights to ourselves and we are actively looking for companies to take over production.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
XHACY : Research into the market and find the demand to be filled, along with our interest in the organic form.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
XHACY : For the production method, we looked into Panton Chair.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
XHACY : General public.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
XHACY : There is no similar concepts. It's a unique hybrid, serving as both a tabletop and a chair, cannot be classified by any existing categories. Its complex organic form also bear no similarity to any of the existing piece, and makes it distinct from the traditional public seating/table.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
XHACY : "Omni" is a prefix derived from Latin meaning "all" or "every." It is often used to convey the idea of being all-encompassing or universal. This piece is omni in it is both a table and a chair, is movable to go everywhere, and is for everyone in the general public.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
XHACY : Rhino, Maya
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
XHACY : Its originality in both its function and its form. Functionally, it's a unique hybrid, serving as both a tabletop and a chair, cannot be classified by any existing categories. Geometrically, its complex organic form also bear no similarity to any of the existing piece, and makes it distinct from the traditional public seating/table. It can be placed outdoor and arrange freely into sitting and tabletop positions. When utilizing alone, Omni can be arranged into different compositions to serve various kinds of needs. The curvature offers comfort to a wide range of sitting positions from sitting to reclining. The arrangements are only limited to users' creation and imagination.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
XHACY : Chenyang and Xinyi
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
XHACY : For our technology, we prioritize lightweight materials for easy mobility, durability for outdoor use, achieving organic and elegant forms, and ensuring ease of mass production. Our vision drove the technology aspect.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
XHACY : We looked into the market demand for outdoor activities, and lots of other furniture pieces for production method.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
XHACY : Prototype production. It is hard to convey the idea.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
XHACY : We want to see this piece promoted, publicized and populated in the public spaces to introduce some fun, beauty, and flexibility to brighten up the public space beyond the traditional seating.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
XHACY : This project challenged us to think creatively and push the boundaries of conventional design, leading to personal growth and development as a designer. During the design process, we learned the importance of versatility and adaptability in creating innovative solutions. We also honed my skills in material selection, market research and ergonomic design to ensure both functionality and aesthetics.
