We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Marco Manders about their original and creative Chair design work. Marco Manders is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original chair works.
Marco Manders ("MM") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Tulpi-seat Chair. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
MM : Everyone knows tulips. They are the jewels amongst our flowers, a great joy to many of us. A typical Dutch icon. Tulips are a great inspiration to many artists and designers, including me. And I want to sit on a clean and dry seat in the public space. Because of this interesting feature, the design prevents the Tulpi from being exposed to outside elements like rain, bird droppings or leaves.
MM : The main focus in designing Tulpi-seat was to realize a more attractive streetscape, bring more fun and colour into public spaces. I wanted to achieve, create eye-catching landmarks and bring Art and Design into public spaces. Accessible to a large audience
MM : Besides generating more sales for Tulpi-seat. I am now in the process of creating an upholstered indoor version Tulpi-seat-Chill for consumers and office furniture projects. And designing Tulpi-seat-Shine for Art projects such as Amsterdam Light Festival and Holland Pavilions
MM : The Tulpi has gone through a seven year development, concentrating on its design, ergonomic features and engineering process. It started in 2004 and the first Tulpi was produced on 30th march 2011
MM : I entered this idea for the Tulpi-seat during a Dutch government pitch, an event where professionals were invited to enter their new design ideas for public space design. My entry was well received, but not the winner. By that time I had fallen in love with design for public spaces after which I decided to further develop and design the Tulpi-seat.
MM : We produce all our designs by ourselves.
MM : After participating in the Dutch government pitch, I fel in love with design for public spaces after which I decided to further develop the Tulpi-seat.
MM : Jochem Galama - Ergonomist Stephan Logger - Engineer
MM : Target customers are Gouverment and Project Developers
MM : This eye-catching design, Tulpi-seat, add s colour to any environment. It is a perfect combination of design, ergonomics and sustainability with a huge fun factor! The Tulpi-seat automatically folds when its occupant gets up, guaranteeing a clean and dry seat for the next user! With full 360 degree rotation, the Tulpi-seat lets you pick your own view!
MM : The designs looks like a Tulip, and back then it was a trend to introduce names with an i (i-Tunes, i-Phone) but instead of naming my design i-Tulip, I decided to name it “Tulpi”
MM : Illustrator - Photoshop - Pencil and paper - Solid-works - Rhino- Navigram
MM : The major selling point of the flowery furniture is once you get up, it closes just like a tulip at night. That prevents the sitting surface from getting rained on or bombed with bird droppings.
MM : Jochem Galama - Ergonomist Stephan Logger - Engineer
MM : The Folding of the seat, it closes automatically. The Tulpi-seat automatically folds when its occupant gets up, guaranteeing a clean and dry seat for the next user
MM : I researched the folding systems used in Cinema chairs
MM : While designing Tulpi-seat, of course the shape of a tulp had to stay. But also the engineering and the ergonomic features of the seat were a real challenge to accomplish.
MM : By coincidence we found out about A' Design Awards, and after thorough thinking decided to participate and see what would come of it.
MM : My understanding of engineering grew enormously while designing Tulpi-seat. As did my knowledge of materials like steel and plastics and skills like ergonomics, engineering and manufacturing processes like the injection and rotation al molding process.
