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Press Release

DesignNewswire · COMO, Italy ·

Arcstool Stool by Li Ying Huang Is Granted the A' Design Award in Furniture Design

Li Ying Huang honored for furniture design by the international grand jury of the 2023 - 2024 A' Design Award & Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMO, Italy, April 21, 2024 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has announced that Arcstool Stool by Li Ying Huang, designed for LiYing Huang, has been granted the A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category. The award was conferred within the 2023 - 2024 A' Design Award & Competition and was decided through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.

About the A' Design Award

The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

More About Arcstool Stool

Arcstool is a low backless seat designed for use in homes and other interiors. The form is inspired by the natural arches of Arches National Park. Two curved wooden parts meet at a central point, creating a symmetrical shape with visible arc lines along the edges. The seat is 29 cm high, and the curvature of the top was selected after comfort tests with users. The wood is steam bent into set radii, dried, glued, sanded to a 400 grit finish and coated with a protective layer. Arcstool weighs 4 kg and supports more than 120 kg.

About Li Ying Huang

LiYing Huang is a multifaceted industrial and graphic designer, drawing inspiration from the vast landscapes and the delicate nature's patterns. An avid hiker and snowboarder, LiYing finds joy in outdoor adventures, which deeply influence her design philosophy. She is dedicated to forging emotional connections between users and her creations, believing that everyday objects should integrate into users' lives while sparking a sense of delight. LiYing's mission is to empower users to recognize and embrace well-designed products that resonate with their own needs, fostering a deeper connection between individuals and the designs they interact with daily.

Award Record

With this recognition, Li Ying Huang 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
Arcstool Stool
Function
Stool
Category
Furniture Design
Discipline
Industrial Design
Industry
Furniture & Home
Colors
Dark Olive Green, Silver, Dark Green, Dark Gray and Black
Images
5
Client
LiYing Huang

The Recognition

Laureate
Li Ying Huang
Country
United States of America
Recognition
A' Design Award
Edition
2023 - 2024
Design ID
#153681

Credits

Team
LiYing Huang
Image Credits
Photographer LiYing Huang Optional Image #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 : Photographer Luyi Ye

Design Details

Unique Properties
Drawing inspiration from the majestic arches found in Arches national park, ARCstool embodies visual tension through its graceful two-part design, creating an exquisite zen moment. Stem-bent reveals add a touch of softness to the wood, while highlighted arc lines along the edges enhance its sculptural aspect. Combining art and function, ARCstool is portable, versatile, and brings an elegant charm to any space. Embrace the fusion of form and function with ARCstool. In a world where artistry and functionality often stand apart, ARCstool emerges as a captivating fusion of both.
Inspiration
Inspired by Arches National Park's awe-inspiring natural arches, their grand presence, and mesmerizing linear flow, this project aimed to capture their essence in a functional yet elegant form. Crafting a symmetrical design emphasized a focal point where the two arcs meet, accentuating harmony and balance. The result, ARCstool, is a testament to nature's splendor and deliberate craftsmanship
Research
Research Objectives: The objective was to create a low stool with optimized dimensions for user comfort. Methodology: Data Collection: 3D-printed stool tops with various radii (60D to 120D) were fabricated. Participants: Users, peers, and designers evaluated these prototypes for comfort and usability. Experiment: Participants' feedback led to the selection of a stool height of 29cm and a 100D sitting radii. Results: Extensive testing led to the identification of the optimal dimensions for the stool, balancing comfort and usability. Insights and Impacts: This research resolved the design challenge of crafting an ergonomic low stool.
Challenge
The most challenging aspect was the steam bending process, encompassing several intricate hurdles: Determining Allowance for Bending: Calculating the precise allowance for bending was complex. Plank Length Precision: Ensuring the exact length of planks for the bending strap was crucial. Too tight led to wrinkling, and too loose resulted in uneven pressure. Pressure Management during Clamping: Achieving consistent pressure when applying drying molds after bending proved difficult. The creaking of the molds during clamping posed further challenges. Drying Mold Complexity: Managing the filled drying molds was intricate.
Realization and Technology
Material Selection: The project begins with the careful selection of high-quality wood planks, chosen for their uniformity and flexibility. This selection process is crucial, as it lays the foundation for the stool's strength and aesthetic appeal. Joinery and Planing: Wood planks are planed uniformly to ensure consistent thickness and width. Precision joinery techniques are employed to create seamless connections, allowing for flexibility and bending. Steam Bending: The pivotal step in the process involves steam bending the wood into specific radii. This procedure demands expertise and precise temperature control to achieve the desired curvature without compromising the wood's integrity.
Operation and Interaction
Operating ARCstool is effortless. Simply sit down, and you'll experience the magic of its ergonomic design. The key frames are its height (29cm) and the 100-diameter curvature of the seat. This thoughtful design makes it exceptionally comfortable to sit on, providing better support and posture. ARCstool's user-centric approach ensures a superior sitting experience without the need for complicated adjustments or mechanisms.
Project Duration and Location
The project started in June 2023 in Baltimore and finished in August 2023 in Baltimore
Specifications
500 mm x 260 mm x 320mm
Keywords
Steam Bending, Ergonomic Design, Functional Art, Nature-Inspired, Low Stool, Woodcraft, User-Centric, Aesthetic Excellence, Innovative Furniture

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