New Designers 07: here is our first post from the New Designers Part 2 graduate showcase, which opened last night at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. Paper Mache Arm Chair (sic) is designed by Majid Asif of University College for the Creative Arts. The chair is made of 120 layers of newspaper built up over an inflatable mould.
Asif’s website, masifdesigns.com, is under construction. Meanwhile, here is a statement from Asif:
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Paper Mache Arm Chair
Inspired by a Metro advertising Campaign which displayed images of innovative and creative ways in which to reuse waste newspaper. The Paper Mache Arm Chair is a product which uses a low tech production method (paper mache) to produce a one off product.
The mould used to manufacture this product was an inflatable. Therefore once the 120 layers of newspaper had been layered onto the mould the inflatable could be removed once dry. The product I feel highlights mass consumption and also makes effective use of waste material.
If the same product were to be reproduced, no two products would have the same end aesthetic; therefore each product would be produced as a one off. The joyful aspect of paper mache is the simple fact that anything can be added to a product to change its strength and form (e.g. polystyrene cups etc).
Majid Asif
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Posted by Marcus Fairs
July 12th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
WOW!!!! LOL… PLEASE, LETS BE SERIOUS.
July 12th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
I find that your “paper mache armchair” is not only an aesthetically pleasing design, but also ingages the viewer to think further. The observer can, therefore, reflect upon the many current issues highlighted by this piece, without loosing its playful side. It’s FANTASTICO !!!!!!
July 12th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
yeah, can’t imagine that being too comfortable.
July 13th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Obviously its a chair and it can be sat in, but i would think its main function is ment as a conversational piece therefor comfort is not the main issue. I would agree with lotty that it is successfuly highlighting current issues (that of mass cunsumption and the stresses this has upon the enviroment), in a playful way. I like it!
Note to many people who have posted messages on this site (about other designers): to become a good critic you must beable to look benieth the surface and offten appreciate design you do not like asstheticly, design is not all about the way a piece looks and can have many functions. What good would design be if it did not chalange our minds. Many of you coments are very ignorant.
July 13th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
agreed
July 15th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Its a conversational piece which was inspired by reusing waste material, function was never the first consideration when making this piece.
To see more of muy design work please visit my website http://www.masifdesigns.com which is online (currently under construction)
April 17th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I am looking for an idea for outside furniture – two single chairs and a couch (and maybe coffee table and side tables as well!!) – going to paper mache them and then fibreglass over it with colour pigment – voila! throw some cushions at them and will then have weather proof, zooty, different furniture that friends and family can talk about!! Been an idea of mine for a long time now …
July 11th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
i like it, i would put a latch door on the back and store magazines and newspapers waiting to be recycled for my next chair, ha functionality
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:32 am
i would love to see the finished product! all painted and that!
September 24th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
That is so cool, i really like it!!! would love to have a chair like that myself!!! Nice!!!