Oscar Lee's Blog

Individual Outcome Reflection
After brain storming, it's considered improvement can be separated into three different phrases for the IVAR chair. The first one is general improvement. This can be either redesigning the chairs, adding function and vales onto the chairs or simply can be a retail reorganisation.
The first concept is to add cushion seat and padding on the IVAR chair. Since it's a dining chair, a reasonably long using time is expected out of this chair. Comfort can be an issue and base on the current design, it can be assumed that it's not too comfortable. By adding cushion, on the seat and backrest, it will certainly improve the life of the chair. Secondly, make the chair foldable and easy to store away. This concept needs to be investigated more due to strength and safety regulation issues. The final idea for general improvement involve selling the individual parts instead of the whole package at IKEA store. The chairs contain different material. Stress over strength will create a different life-span on different parts. By selling individual parts at IKEA store, user can replace broken part instead of throwing the whole chair out. IKEA has already setup a similar system for other furniture e.g. BILLY series bookcase. Implementing this idea on the IVAR chair would have little to none cost.
The second aspect of improvement involves physical-attachment to the IVAR chair. This can be the ergonomically advancement of the chair. It can be extra function of the chair or changing the physical using context of the chair. Concept 1 is adding more authentic cushion and padding to the chair. This cushions and padding are highly customisable. Concept 2 adds value to the current chairs and change the using context of the chairs. We may as well use the fact that it's a uncomfortable chair. By adding a adjusting table to the chair, It can be turned into a lecture chair. It helps keeping student awake during lecture. However, the OH&S issues need to be investigate deeper in this situation. Concept 2 attaches a sophisticate backrest to the chair. This backrest is made out of memory foam thus allow best comfort for different users.
The last aspect of improvement involves emotional-attachment to the IVAR chair. Concept 1 turn the subject into a drawing canvas. Allow children to elaborate their creativity onto it. Second concept added a acrylic photo frame to the seat. User can put their treasures moment to the chairs. Concept 3 made use of the space underneath the chairs by adding a toy-box to it. Children can now store their toys in this treasure box.
After attaining this Charette, I realised a lot can be done in order to maximise the life-time of the chairs. As a conclusion, "designing for what have already been designed" seems like the goal for our generation.