We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Guideline about their original and creative Dining Chair design work. Guideline is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original dining chair works.
Guideline ("Guideline") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Tulip Dining Chair. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
Guideline : The main principle for the design was to create a dining chair, suitable for contract use as in a restaurant or hotel that is functional, durable but has an elegant and timeless appeal. The lines of the tulip flower were inspiration for the shape and details of the design.
Guideline : The goal was to maintain its clean lines and lightness but still providing a durable and strong chair that is comfortable. The Tulip's weight under 7kg and that it can be stacked up to 4 makes it the perfect chair for multipurpose venues.
Guideline : We would like to market the chair globally and looking for distributors and retailers. However, the chair can be bought from us directly and shipped worldwide shipping can be arranged. In addition we do have a bar stool version of the Tulip available.
Guideline : From initial sketches to final sample it took about 8 weeks.
Guideline : We had a request from a client for that type of chair and when we presented the design the client asked us to change quite a few details. However, we've loved the the design from the start and it became our signature piece within our range.
Guideline : Primarily we would like to produce the chair ourselves in order to control the quality but are open to regional license agreements.
Guideline : I'm in the furniture industry for 25 years and that's where I've gained my experience. Any great designer out there had to design a chair. It's one of the most challenging furniture items to design in order to combine comfort, strength and elegance in a small item that is moved around and put stress on constantly.
Guideline : Well, Guideline is a team which consisted of my partner Roan Snyman and myself at the time. We are constantly inspired by what's out there as other designs from past or presence in the broadest sense.
Guideline : The target customer is the individual who appreciates good design from the private person who is looking for a dining chair to a restaurant or hotel.
Guideline : I have to quote Ray Eames who said once "the details are not the details, the details are the design"
Guideline : I love Tulips and there is always a bunch somewhere in my house. I am aware that the name has been used before but we did not try to reassemble the shape of a Tulip rather than taking inspiration from its lines of leaves and blossom.
Guideline : Pencil and paper is the first stage, after that it's the computer using a 3d program.
Guideline : The organic details in the shaping of the back which are not only an aesthetic details but also contribute to the comfort of the chair.
Guideline : Roan Snyman, my partner. His expertise I more on the computer and technical side while I'm covering the creative and woodworking part of the process.
Guideline : Utilising technology as CNC machinery is very important in this design as it enabled us to realise the organic details without having them hand carved which would have made the design too expensive.
Guideline : My research is 25 years of experience and adding on daily.
Guideline : The biggest challenge was to have the shape of the back parts fitting into the common wood thickness available for walnut, 50mm. To achieve strength in the front leg joint suitable for high traffic areas and having rockstars partying on it as at Sohohouse Chicago was another.
Guideline : We had great feedback from our international clients so we felt if any design had the potential it would be the Tulip. We hope it will now get the attention globally we would like it to have.
Guideline : I've learnt a lot about how to optimise strength in woodwork joints. We are now in the process of developing a new method based on the knowledge we've gained.
Guideline : Guideline is a design house with their own manufacturing facilities as CNC woodwork, upholstery and steel department. One stop shop consult, design and manufacture.
