Sitting in Context/Duality Update

Our most recent assignment was to write a paper about an important relationship we have with a specific person and then represent that relationship by constructing a chair out of cardboard.  In our last cardboard chair, we were limited.  We had to use a 4  by 4 foot sheet of cardboard, we were unable to use any adhesives, and the chair had to be made of one piece.  When unfolded, it should be the single piece of 4 by 4 cardboard.  Now, we have a little more freedom.  Although we still can't use any adhesive, we can use any amount of cardboard and it can be cut into pieces.

I based my chair off of my relationship with my older brother, Brent.  My first idea was to represent the flow of our relationship.  We started off very close, then grew apart, and now we are close once again now that we are both in college.  I also wanted to accentuate the fact that although I am right-brained and he is definitely left-brained, we still get along and work together fairly well.  I wanted to have an artistic chair, but show the geometric side of it to represent his interest in math and science.  

I started off by making miniature prototypes out of Bristol board.  

I made the arms of the chair represent the flow of our relationship

This form of this prototype is basically the same besides the rounded back.  I thought the semi-circle back would give it a mathematical and geometric feel.

So I started making a full-scale prototype out of cardboard!

Front pieces

Back pieces

However...it turned out to be a disaster.  Prototypes sure are good learning experiences.

I began to feel really unsure of this design.  So I started brainstorming on how I could improve it.  Then I got hit with an epiphany.  I was missing the most important part of our brother/sister relationship.  Our relationship is SO fun and hilarious.  I laugh the hardest when I am around my brother.  I needed to add some humor and fun to this chair.  So I drew out some sketches.

I want to base the chair off of a classic arm chair, but add some uneven qualities.  My family has been said to represent the classic American family.  I wanted to put these elements into the chair with adding silly elements.  

The construction of this chair will begin tomorrow.  Wish me luck and stay tuned.