Iron Furniture Design · 2016
Ego Armchair
- A' Design Award 2016 Iron Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2016
- CLIENT: MAGMA graphics
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 18,881
- Verification code 6E308F7051 · Verify this award
About Ego Armchair
Ego is an armchair designed to offer an opportunity to change its appearance whenever and whatever you like. If you are bored of the color scheme you don't need to buy another furniture, you just need to rearrange the position of the elements in the way you like and you will have a brand new look. Sometimes an unpredictable development or change of circumstances could happen, changing mood, unexpected guest, even the weather could affect your perspective. You can now express you attitude by giving the interior new look. Simply slide the soft elements to receive a new pattern.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Ego is an armchair which allows you to change its appearance by moving the soft elements in order to create different pattern every time.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The dimensions of the armchair are as follows - Width 800 mm x Depth 1180 mm x Height 1060 mm.
- Tags
- Ego, Armchair, Pattern, Layout, Appearance, Changeable, Various, Puzzle, Smart, Game
- Production Technology
- The main structure is made from a reinforced bent wooden material. Leg support is made from chrome. Soft cubes are created from memory foam covered with fabric.
- Design Challenge
- The hardest part was to decide which mechanism to use for changing the armchair pattern (moving the elements). Sliding elements was the most complicated method. Previous versions of the chair was based on attaching the soft parts to the back using magnets or Velcro.
- Project Duration
- The very first concept was created last summer. After several revisions the shape and function have been changed dramatically. 4 months were necessary to reach the final look. Location is Bulgaria.
- Operation Flow
- The soft elements of the armchair are movable. Between the bended back and soft parts there is a layer with grid attached to the main board. The soft elements can slide from one position to another and create different patterns according your desire.
- Research
- The main research was about the shape. It was simulated physically and then tested. Strength analysis were also applied using Finite element method (FEA).
- Inspiration
- Sometimes an unpredictable development or change of circumstances could happen, good or bad mood, unexpected guest, even the vagaries of weather. You can express you attitude by giving your interior new look. Nice and tidy, aggressive and chaotic, extravagant and erratic... you can express your mood by surrounding furniture.
- Image Credits
- Vasil Velchev
- Patents
- Copyrights belong to Vasil Velchev
Colors of Ego Armchair
Design Interview about Ego Armchair
In this particular project i wanted to create a product which combines a new unconventional shape with comfort and
possibility to change how it looks.
possibility to change how it looks.
I wanted to achieve the main balance shape - comfort - appearance.
First i want to invest more in research, improvements and tests and then to find manufacturer for mass production.
I went through several shapes, then different types of construction, appearance, functionality. It took me more then
an year.
an year.
Most of my designs are based on inspiration. This one too.
For now i have only one prototype. I wanted to start producing handmade models by myself but i decided to look for an
experienced manufacturer.
experienced manufacturer.
Simply, I like furniture design.
For designing no, but for producing the prototype i received very big support from friends.
This is a product for connoisseurs.
To be honest i am not familiar with anything similar to this.
I went through several names like 'mosaic chair', 'puzzle chair' but eventually i chose EGO because it represents best
the main idea to
arrange the product as you like it, to be unique just for you.
the main idea to
arrange the product as you like it, to be unique just for you.
Mainly 3D modeling software.
The shape is unconventional for an armchair but i cannot say that it is unique. Maybe the way of changing the
appearance makes the product interesting.
appearance makes the product interesting.
Yes, i made several discussions with specialist mostly about two aspects ergonomics and technology of manufacturing.
Using the latest technologies you always have the possibility to create more complex shapes.
No, it was an inspiration. The only research that i did was to see if there are something similar already created.
Producing the prototype with this bended base was the biggest challenge
First it is a good way to evaluate your product by experienced jury from all over the world. And also winning a contest is
a good way more people to see your design.
a good way more people to see your design.
As usual i will be more focused on the balance between comfort, functionality and shape.
Thank you very much for this interview.
Grand Interview about Ego Armchair
Original sketches started without any idea of moveble parts. The main focus at the begining was the semi-cylindrical shape of the body. During the development, and to make it more interesting, idea evolved into the current design.
No matter how good is one product, sooner or later it gets boring. So, ability to change it and if its part of its features, i think is a very good idea.
My master degree of electrical engineering was helpful indeed. Despite we don't have any electrical parts here, engineering thinking is very useful.
Because i wanted to create a prototype for a furniture fair, foam cubes seemed the best fast solution. After that, this idea was not so bad so i decide not to experiment with other materials.
I think that this should be the future. Ergonomics, functionality and good looks are very important but if you add the possibility to change the appearance, then you'll have more sustainable design.
Magnets and velcro was fast and easy solution which is probably better, compared to the mechanism. The more complex, the more expensive it becomes, but at the end we need to think for the cost to ensure mass production.
Pattern, created by these soft cubes should reflect the mood of the user. With the same set of colors, but in different order, you can create totally different feel.
The prototype showed that actually the construction was to heavy, unnecessary reinforced. Next version had thinner body and 2 rows of cubes have been removed.
The transition from graphic design to industrial design was somehow expected way of evolution. The simbiosa between all your skills could lead you to very impressive designs.
Personalization of the products keeps the individuality. I think that in future will become more and more important to have this option.