Interviews with Medium2 Studio

Our main focus in designing the Pinch Chair was to achieve a perfect balance between practicality and modern aesthetic appeal. We wanted to create a chair that not only fulfilled the functional requirements of stackability and ease of floor cleaning but also had a visually appealing design that could enhance or complement the interior decoration of restaurants.

As we celebrate this milestone, we are actively seeking manufacturing partners to help make the Pinch Chair a reality and share its beauty with the world.

The design process for the Pinch Chair took approximately four months to complete. The project started in January 2021 in Taiwan and was finished in May 2021, also in Taiwan. During this time, the design team at Medium2 Studio worked diligently to conceptualize, refine, and finalize the concept for the chair.

The team was inspired by the ubiquity of plastic chairs in modern life and recognized the potential for improving upon the traditional design. They sought to create a chair that would seamlessly blend with contemporary architecture and design, while also offering practical features that would benefit both restaurant owners and staff.

We plan to sell or lease the production rights.

we noticed that while plastic chairs were functional, they often lacked a modern aesthetic appeal and did not necessarily complement contemporary architecture and design. We saw an opportunity to reimagine the traditional plastic chair and elevate its design to better align with the current trends and expectations of both business owners and customers.

While the design of the Pinch Chair was primarily influenced by the observations and research conducted by the design team at Medium2 Studio, it is important to acknowledge that the field of furniture design is a collaborative and ever-evolving one. As designers, we are constantly inspired and influenced by the work of our peers and the broader design community.

The target customers for the Pinch Chair design are businesses in the hospitality industry, particularly restaurants, cafes, and dining establishments, who seek a stackable, easy-to-clean, and visually appealing seating solution that aligns with modern design sensibilities.

The ability to flip the chair onto a table facilitates floor cleaning by restaurant staff. This feature sets the Pinch Chair apart from other plastic chairs that may require moving or clearing an entire area of chairs for effective floor cleaning.The design of the Pinch Chair takes into account the needs and preferences of both restaurant owners and customers. It offers practical features like stackability for storage convenience and a visually appealing design that enhances the overall dining experience.

The chair was designed using a unibody logic, imagining the plastic sheet transforming into a complete chair with simple pinching and pulling moves.

The design of the Pinch Chair was influenced by data and research conducted by Medium2 Studio. They gathered insights and requirements from restaurant owners, focusing on stackability, floor cleaning convenience, and desired aesthetics. This data-driven approach ensured that the design met the practical and aesthetic needs of the target market.

Balancing Form and Function: Achieving a balance between aesthetic appeal and practical functionality can be a challenge. Designing a chair that meets both the desired visual aesthetic and the functional requirements, such as stackability and ease of floor cleaning, requires careful consideration and iteration.

The decision to submit the Pinch Chair design to an international competition would have been driven by the desire to gain recognition, validation, exposure, and networking opportunities, as well as to benchmark the design against the best in the field. It is a strategic move to showcase our design expertise, creativity, and innovation on a global stage.

The joy of seeing my designs come to life motivates me to be a designer. The process involves communicating and collaborating with many people, requiring both persuasion and compromise. This joyful journey led me to choose this profession.

I chose to become a designer right after graduating from high school.

We primarily design furniture and home decor. In the future, we hope to design a wider variety of items.

Young designers should continuously learn and accumulate experience, maintain passion and curiosity for design, and dare to challenge traditional thinking while innovating.

A good designer possesses solid skills and aesthetics, while a great designer not only has these qualities but also leads trends and creates works with profound impact.

A good design finds a balance between functionality, aesthetics, and innovation. I evaluate good design by checking if it solves practical problems, is visually pleasing, and has uniqueness and innovation.

Good design enhances the user experience and brings aesthetic enjoyment and emotional resonance. Investing in good design is a way to improve quality of life and respect creativity.

If I had the time, I would design a complete set of furniture and use them at home with my family.

Any project that positively impacts a space is our dream project, and we hope to encounter and complete these opportunities in the future.

My secret recipe for success is continuous learning and trying new things while focusing on details and user experience. Empathy and an open mind are my secret ingredients.

The wonders of nature inspire us.

Nature's creations are ours favorites because they often find a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.

Pinch Chair is one of our favorite designs. It pays tribute to traditional plastic stacking chairs with an innovative reinterpretation.

Continuous learning and practice are key to improving design skills. We enhance ourselves through constant project practice and interaction with others.

It's hard to imagine. If I hadn't become a designer, I would probably feel something was missing.

Artistic creation under constraints to achieve specific goals is design.

The people who use our designed products have always been our biggest supporters, providing us with endless support and encouragement.

Continuous learning and practice, along with a love and persistence for design, have helped me become a designer. We are still on this journey.

We are still on this journey and have faced many challenges, such as limited resources and market acceptance, but these have motivated us to continuously break through ourselves.

Designers should present their work through professional platforms and social media, with detailed design explanations and background stories.

Due to business confidentiality agreements, we can only say: stay tuned.

Our ultimate goal is to create products through design that can improve people's quality of life.

People expect me to continuously introduce innovative and practical designs, bringing more surprises and inspiration.

Design helps create a better society by solving social problems and improving the quality of life. Good design can bring convenience, beauty, and happiness.

Due to business confidentiality agreements, we can only say: stay tuned.

Any design that people can actually use brings us the most satisfaction because this joy is what we pursue as designers.

I hope the design industry will pay more attention to sustainable development and eco-friendly design while fostering more diversity and cross-industry collaboration.

I think the design field is headed towards intelligent and personalized design, using technology to enhance interactivity and user experience.

The time to finalize a design project varies depending on its complexity, generally ranging from several months to a year.

I usually start with market research and user needs analysis, then proceed to concept design and sketching.

Explore the intersection between creativity & practicality.

I think it's a mutual relationship. Design and trends influence each other; excellent design can set trends, and trends can inspire design.

Technology plays a crucial role in design. It not only improves design efficiency but also brings more possibilities and innovation.

We use various design software like Rhino, KeyShot, and Gravity Sketch. I also use 3D printers and CNC machines to make models and prototypes.

Color, materials, and ambient are indispensable elements in design. They directly impact the aesthetic and user experience of the product.

We hope people simply enjoy our designs without needing too much explanation.

I want to understand its design process and the ideas behind it while thinking about how to draw inspiration from it.

My ideal design partners are creative and willing to collaborate. I believe in co-design as it can bring more inspiration and better results.

Interactions with clients, users, and other designers have the most influence on my design. Their feedback and suggestions help me constantly improve and enhance my work.

The wonders of nature are like a thick book to me.

We are still on the journey, constantly learning and practicing, and participating in various design projects to continuously improve our skills.

The users who have used our products.

I feel very honored and grateful for all the awards and recognition. We are still on the journey, requiring continuous effort and persistence.

Our favorite items might be the prototypes made during the design process.

Every time a concept becomes a tangible reality, it's the most interesting thing.

Seeing my designs recognized and used brings me immense satisfaction. I motivate myself by constantly learning new knowledge and interacting with others.

From a young age, I loved drawing and observing various shapes. My family and friends believed I would achieve something in the creative field.

I hope the Earth and humanity will still exist. If not, I hope some evidence of human existence will be preserved somewhere, and I think that evidence might be something designed by a designer.

Understand that our design philosophy is to combine aesthetics with practicality, improving people's living experiences through design.

Medium2 Studio was established in 2015 and specializes in product design, furniture design, branding identity, and graphic design.
The term "Medium" signifies being in between two things and also refers to the medium that carries messages in communication. Medium2 Studio acts as a mediator, seeking a balance between the two ends and carrying design value. We explore the intersection of practicality and creativity, navigating between the realm of reality and imaginative possibilities, to convey the message that designs aim to communicate to people.

"To me, 'design' is a harmonious balance between functionality and aesthetics. I believe, not only serves a practical purpose but also invokes an emotional response and fosters meaningful connections.

The first thing I designed for a company was a task chair. The inspiration for its design came from a hedgehog. We transformed the image of the hedgehog into a perforated pattern on the chair's backrest. This unique and creative design was recognized with the prestigious Good Design Award in Japan.

When designing, I put a lot of emphasis on the functionality and durability of the product, but without compromising the aesthetics. I believe that each element in the design must serve a purpose. Additionally, I always consider the environment that the furniture will be placed in, striving to create a design that complements its surroundings and enhances the overall ambience.

When I design, I experience a wide spectrum of emotions. The early stages are often filled with excitement and anticipation as I explore ideas and possibilities. There's a certain joy in the process of creation, where the abstract starts to take shape. However, it also comes with its share of challenges and frustrations, particularly when trying to balance aesthetics, function, and feasibility. But overall, it's a deeply satisfying and fulfilling process.

Seeing my designs come to life is an incredibly gratifying experience. There's a strong sense of accomplishment and pride in seeing a concept that once only existed in my mind, now tangible and real. There's also a touch of anticipation, as I wait to see how people interact with and respond to my design.

In my opinion, a design is successful when it fulfills its intended function well, resonates with its user on an emotional level, and stands the test of time. A successful design should not only meet the immediate needs but also contribute to the overall experience by creating an emotional connection and being aesthetically pleasing.

When assessing a design, I consider its functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and originality.

The design field is continually evolving, largely influenced by advancements in technology and shifts in societal needs. We are seeing a growing emphasis on sustainable and inclusive designs. With the rise of technologies like AI, VR, and 3D printing, designers now have new tools and platforms to explore and express their ideas. In the future, I believe we will see a further blending of physical and digital realms, a greater focus on user experience, and an increased awareness of the social and environmental impacts of design.

I often find new perspectives in traveling and experiencing different cultures. Feeding my creativity involves continuous learning, observing, and staying curious. Books, movies, exhibitions, and even everyday objects can spark fresh ideas.

I strive to create designs that are not only beautiful but also serve their intended purpose efficiently. What draws me to this style is the challenge of finding the balance between form and function.

I start with understanding the company's needs and vision, then I conduct research, generate and refine design concepts, get feedback, and create detailed design specifications for production, keeping regular communication with the client throughout the process.

My 'golden rule' in design is to always maintain a balance between form and function. A well-designed product must serve its purpose efficiently while being aesthetically pleasing.

Key skills for a designer include technical abilities with design software, creativity, problem-solving skills, communication, empathy, and knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes.

We are Medium2 Studio, we work as a team.

People can reach me via email at jack@medium2studio.com. If you have any needs or inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm always open to discussing potential projects or collaborations.

Through conversations with restaurant owners, we learned that stackability and ease of storage are top priorities when selecting chairs. Additionally, many restaurant staff expressed a desire for chairs that facilitate floor cleaning after closing. With this in mind, we designed a chair that can be inverted and placed on tabletops, allowing staff to clean floors more efficiently. Our goal is to create a chair that not only meets the practical needs of owners but also retains aesthetic appeal and creativity.

The design philosophy at Medium2 Studio is to seamlessly blend aesthetics with functionality. The Pinch Chair’s appearance is sleek and contemporary, with fluid lines that add a sense of movement and lightness while retaining structural stability. We thoroughly studied modern furniture design language as a foundation, then focused on user needs and made ergonomic adjustments to ensure it not only looks beautiful but also offers comfort and practical functionality suited for restaurant use.

One of the main technical challenges we faced in designing the Pinch Chair was ensuring that this monocoque plastic structure could be reliably molded and maintain durability in actual production. We utilized 3D software for strength simulations and carefully examined mold release angles and draft angles for feasibility. Currently, the chair has yet to enter mass production, and we are seeking a furniture brand or manufacturer interested in bringing this innovative design to life. Through collaboration with potential manufacturers, we aim to overcome technical challenges and develop production-ready molds, making this design a reality and bringing our vision for the chair to the market.

The inspiration came from observing simple, everyday actions. We noticed that "Pinch & Pull" is a natural form-shaping gesture, which inspired me to apply this motion to chair design. By imagining the pinch of a plastic sheet, we created a structure full of tension and fluidity. This form retains the familiarity of traditional plastic chairs but infuses it with a fresh design language, making it feel both approachable and forward-thinking.

This functionality evolved gradually through conversations with restaurant owners. They expressed a need for chairs that could be lifted off the floor for easier floor cleaning while also being quickly returned to their positions. Understanding this requirement, we considered how the chair could be inverted and securely placed on a tabletop. Through ongoing experimentation and refinement, we finalized the seat shape with a design that includes a practical, structural line, allowing the chair to rest stably on the table. This not only eases cleaning for staff but also enhances the chair’s versatility.

Our size design is based on ergonomic considerations to ensure user comfort. Additionally, the dimensions are designed with stackability and space efficiency in mind, facilitating storage. After repeated testing, we selected dimensions of 549mm x 558mm x 822mm, which optimally meet the needs of various settings while achieving a balance between structure and appearance.

Our team has been fully dedicated over the past few months, working closely together through every stage—from research and ideation to design and model validation. We made extensive use of VR equipment in the creative and form-evaluation phases, enabling us to conduct multiple rapid iterations. By reviewing shapes in VR, we were able to reduce the need for unnecessary physical prototypes. This efficient collaboration allowed us to complete this innovative design within a short timeframe.

The design of the Pinch Chair takes into account the demands of a restaurant setting. Its modern form makes it a focal point in any space, while its functional features align with the expectations of restaurant owners. We are committed to creating a chair that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical, meeting the dual needs of visual appeal and functionality for restaurants. This design responds to the market’s desire for high-quality commercial furniture.

The success of the Pinch Chair has shown us that modern commercial furniture design can seamlessly combine innovation and practicality. This design demonstrates the potential of monocoque technology to the market, and we believe that future commercial furniture will increasingly emphasize simplicity, aesthetics, and integrated functionality. The Pinch Chair offers a fresh option for the hospitality industry and opens up new possibilities for furniture in future commercial spaces.