DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
ODS : Creachair is a design concept for a children’s chair, which will also be their play buddy and help them develop creativity, imagination, motor and tactile skills, which are very important for cognitive and physical development of a child.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
ODS : We were led by the idea to create a product that encourages children to express their emotions, experience many different tactile sensations, practice visual communication and participate with the design process from an early age. Creachairs are an open call for a playful collaboration and exchanging ideas between kids.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
ODS : This project is currently a design concept with functional prototypes.
The next step is making this idea happen.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
ODS : The project started in Belgrade in November 2013.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
ODS : We were inspired by the fact that creative expression and tactile stimulation are very important for cognitive and physical development of a child.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
ODS : At the moment we are keeping all options open.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
ODS : To inspire children to participate with the design process, to learn and have fun while creating characters on their own in endless combinations.
To encourage them to exchange ideas within a group of kids, and be able to have a playful time with their parents, too.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
ODS : Children of young age with their parents, friends and family, kindergardens, children libraries etc.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
ODS : Playing and learning features of the chair.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
ODS : The name Creachair is a combination of the words creativity, creating, chair.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
ODS : Every chair is assembled out of a seat, legs, eyes, teeth and leg covers, all of them in various shapes, colours and materials. Children can experience many different tactile sensations and ways to co-create a play buddy using velcro, zippers, buttons, clip buttons, laces… They can feel excited and content as they create new characters.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
ODS : New advanced materials and textile making technologies that enchase tactile stimulation greatly affect the way children respond and interact with the design.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
ODS : There are many researches on how creative expression and tactile stimulation are very important for cognitive and physical development of a child. The main aspect of our research was allowing kids to play with prototypes and carefully noticing their reaction and ways they interact. It helped us define the design of all the parts of the product.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
ODS : It was of great importance that the parts are constructed in such way that there is no wrong way of applying them. The eyes, teeth and leg covers can be attached and changed easily to allow the creative process flowing.
