In designing the Bowling Chair, David Okum was less interested in how the object would be seen from the front, rather striving to sculpt a form that would be fascinating from the rear -- the angle at which seats are more often observed. The result is a product that is fascinating from every side and embodies a slight optical illusion as your eyes work to discern the way in which it was molded.
A single piece of plastic forms the backrest, the armrests and the seat of the Bowling Chair, achieved by creating a sort of loop with the material and folding its thinner top band by nearly 90 degrees. The abstract shape created is emphasized by a two-tone color treatment and the open form enables unlimited numbers of the chair to be nested together for easy storage.
Inside-Out Seating
Bowling Chair Appears to Have Been Inversely Extruded Into an Intriguing Form
Trend Themes
1. Rear-focused Sculptural Design - Exploring the aesthetic appeal and functionality of objects from the rear, creating intriguing and visually captivating forms.
2. Optical Illusion Furniture - Incorporating design elements that challenge the viewer's perception and create optical illusions through clever molding and shaping.
3. Multi-functional Plastic Furniture - Utilizing a single piece of plastic to form various parts of furniture, allowing for efficient manufacturing, versatility, and easy storage.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Manufacturing - Opportunity to explore innovative design techniques that focus on the rear aesthetic appeal, incorporate optical illusions, and utilize efficient material use for multi-functional furniture.
2. Home Decor - Potential for unique, visually captivating furniture pieces that enhance interior design by incorporating sculptural and optical illusion elements.
3. Event and Hospitality - Opportunity to provide versatile and visually intriguing seating options for events and hospitality venues, allowing for efficient storage and space optimization.