jimmy and mei

We decided to form a partnership due to the common interest of one of the 5 senses - sound. We intend to produce some kind of furniture piece that will have sound integrated into it as the final outcome for this project. Therefore it's use would be targeted for relaxation purposes.

We both acknowledge that furniture is rarely seen in conjunction with sound as they are 2 different mediums. An example where both sound and furniture are integrated is in a vibroacoustic tactile sound massage tables - http://vibroacoustic.org/. Vibroacoustic therapy can be defined as the use of music and sounds (as auditory and vibratory stimuli) transmitted to the body to achieve physical and psychological therapeutic goals. The stimulus may also include pulsed, low-frequency pure tones either singly or in a sequence.The stimuli are often delivered to the body through loud speakers built into a chair or bed unit. http://www.online.ee/~jyritkoy/vibro_i.htm

We intend to design something that may be similar in terms of combining sound and furniture, however, the way sound may be related back to the user will be explored. i.e.

sound via actual hearing of music
sound via vibrations
sound via pulses through the body
sound via the skeletal structure - bones
others

The type of sound that may be played include:

music:
RnB
Hip Hop
Rap
Jazz
Classical
Funk
Big Band
Others

sound effects (already available on the market):
forest
ocean waves
marine life
birds
rain falling

The final physical side of the design, being the piece of furniture, will not be limited to just a chair. Other options will be explored and considered. Some of these may include:

bed
couch
stool
hammock
Pod

The way that the user interacts with the furniture will also be considered and explored. Some of these may include:

sitting
standing
lying down
reclined

We intend to target an audience who may have high levels of stress or anxiety and people who generally enjoy listening to music. However, the design of the piece of furniture will not be constrained to the specified target audience, but can also appeal to other social groups. Thus the use of the furniture would not only be used for relaxation purposes but for people who enjoy listening to music within the domestic environment.

The main objective for this design is to provide sound that will be integrated into the piece of furniture. If it is to be massed produced the piece of furniture must be inexpensive.

The final outcome will be accomplished via various experiments, field research, internet research, research in general, concept sketches and a 3D model.

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Our new design proposal

After many weeks of researching and experimenting, both Jimmy and I have decided to pursue a new and different path to what we were doing. After deciding to pursue something similar to vibroacoustic therapy, or even that within itself, we found that all we would be doing is redesigning the vibroacoustic chairs or tables that are currently available on the market. We wanted to do more then just redesign. It's true that the path we were interested in taking did include the sense of sound, however, we wanted more then just redesigning something (as this would be more of a visual outcome instead of a desired outcome of appealing at least to one of the other 4 senses.) Therefore, after discussing our project with some other members in the class we decided to look into something else that would do the opposite of vibroacoustic therapy.

Vibroacoustic therapy is supposed to be used for individuals that may be stressed or anxious, therefore it soothes the soul; the body. What we are now looking at involves keeping an individual awake via either a touch or smell sense. This piece of furniture or product (still to be decided) will keep an individual awake, alert and refreshed. In terms of scenarios there are 2 below in which the piece of furniture or product may be used.

1. If a student is studying for an exam or working to finish off an assignment that is to be handed in the next day, this product or piece of furniture will help that student to stay awake and alert. If for example this thing that we are designing lets out some kind of smell every hour on the hour, then that smell will linger in the air and hopefully help that student to stay alert, instead of drift off.

2. If someone is working long hours in the office to finish up a presentation for the next day then this product or piece of furniture will also help to keep them alert and working. It will also help them be self-aware in terms of they will know how long they've been sitting at their desk. Knowing how much time they spend at their desk could help them realise they need to take more quick breaks to rest their eyes (especially if they've been staring at the computer screen).

The main objective for this design is that it incorporate either touch or smell, maybe even both so that it will help an individual concentrate on the work at hand. Research, field research and experiments will be done to achieve the final outcome - the designed piece. Both Jimmy and I are hoping to produce either a prototype or mock-up of the final design.