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Press Release

DesignNewswire · COMO, Italy ·

Seat Urchin Rocking Chair by Yue Zhuo Is Granted the Bronze A' Design Award in Furniture Design

Yue Zhuo honored for furniture design by the international grand jury of the 2022 - 2023 A' Design Award & Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMO, Italy, April 20, 2023 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has confirmed the Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category for Seat Urchin Rocking Chair by Yue Zhuo, designed for Studio Yuetopia. The award was conferred within the 2022 - 2023 A' Design Award & Competition and was reached through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who assessed anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.

About the Bronze A' Design Award

The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

About Seat Urchin Rocking Chair

Not all chairs are four legs with one back. SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair is a rocking chair with 68 legs, and it was inspired by the sea urchin and the Spun chair by Magis. Thanks to the 68 legs, when people sit on this chair, they can freely rock around, and it won’t flip over. Meanwhile, when no one is sitting on it, SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair can also become a very eye-catching object in the space: with the iconic matte black finish on the body and bright yellow on the seat cushion. SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair will light up the room with this high-contract color combination.

About Yue Zhuo

I’m Joy Zhuo, an Ontario-based object designer known for creating playful, thought-provoking furniture and art pieces that blur the line between functionality and storytelling. My work has received international acclaim, including awards such as the NYCxDESIGN Award, the A’ Design Award, and the MUSE Design Award, and has been exhibited in cities across North America, Europe, and Asia. What makes me relevant and important is my ability to merge emotional depth with whimsical design—inviting people not just to use my creations, but to feel something through them.

Award Record

With this recognition, Yue Zhuo is a winner of 1 A' Design Award.

About the A' Furniture Design Award

The A' Furniture Design Award is an international furniture competition recognizing good furniture designs by best furniture designers worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to furniture designers, product designers, industrial design studios and furniture brands from all countries. Typical entries include chairs, tables, sofas, beds, cabinets and shelves. The awarded furniture designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/furniture

About A' Design Award & Competition

Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com

Press Resources

Media Contact

Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953

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Fact Sheet

The Work

Project
Seat Urchin Rocking Chair
Function
Rocking Chair
Category
Furniture Design
Discipline
Industrial Design
Industry
Furniture & Home
Colors
Gainsboro, White Smoke, Dark Slate Gray, Black and Silver
Images
5
Client
Studio Yuetopia

The Recognition

Laureate
Yue Zhuo
Country
Canada
Recognition
Bronze A' Design Award
Edition
2022 - 2023
Design ID
#144025

Credits

Image Credits
Image #No: risd photographer

Design Details

Unique Properties
Looking for a seating experience that's out of the ordinary? Look no further than the SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair. Inspired by the dynamic form of sea urchins and the innovative design of the Magis Spun Chair, this unique piece of furniture features a stunning 68-leg design that allows for fluid rocking motion without the risk of tipping over. Crafted from high-quality materials, the SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair is as functional as it is eye-catching. Its matte black finish exudes sophistication, while its bright yellow seat cushion adds a pop of color that is sure to catch the eye.
Inspiration
The SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair draws inspiration from the graceful curves of the Magis Spun Chair and the enigmatic beauty of sea urchins. This unique piece of furniture is designed to evoke the fluid motion of ocean waves and the organic form of sea creatures.
Research
Research Background: The SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair is a unique and innovative chair design that was inspired by the sea urchin and the Spun chair by Magis. This rocking chair features 68 legs, making it both stylish and functional. However, before this design was created, extensive research was conducted to determine the most effective way to create a comfortable and stable rocking chair. Methods: To design the SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair, a variety of research methods were used. The design team utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather data and insights from potential users.
Challenge
One of the most challenging aspects of designing the SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair was transitioning the concept from the initial sketches to a fully functional, life-size piece that could be comfortably sat on. Throughout the fabrication process, a variety of methods and materials were carefully evaluated to ensure the chair's durability and stability. One of the most difficult tasks was the precision drilling of 68 holes in 68 different directions, which required a high level of skill and attention to detail.
Realization and Technology
The SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair is a stunning fusion of modern technology and old-world craftsmanship. Made with laminated hardwood ply, this chair is built to withstand the elements, ensuring that it will maintain its shape and beauty for years to come. The seat is precision-milled using a CNC machine, providing a flawless finish that showcases the natural beauty of the wood. But it's the 68 maple dowel legs that really set this chair apart. Each dowel is attached to a pre-drilled hole, which has been painstakingly created by hand at a unique angle.
Operation and Interaction
The SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair is designed to provide a truly immersive and enjoyable seating experience. With its unique 68-leg design, this chair offers unparalleled support from any direction, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking for comfort and style. Interacting with the SEAt Urchin Rocking Chair is as simple as sitting on it and enjoying the ride. The chair's sturdy and well-crafted legs ensure that it stays balanced and stable, no matter how much you rock. So whether you're reading a book, watching TV, or just relaxing, you can do it all in complete comfort and ease.
Project Duration and Location
The project started in October 2019 in Providence and finished in March 2020.
Keywords
FURNITURE, ROCKING CHAIR, SEA URCHIN, PLAYFUL, INTERACTIVE

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