Design Research
Brand Design
Product Design
Prototyping
Video Editing
Sarah Fletcher
Vishaka Nirmal
Bennett Graff
Advised by Monty Sharma
Figma
3D Printing
Woodshop Tools
Adobe
2024 Summer
(3 Weeks)
How might we create usable, long lasting products from textile waste?
This project was guided by a user-centered design approach. Through initial surveys and interviews, we learned about emotional bonds between users and their belongings. We then explored a range of user experiences for individuals interacting with their furniture. Finally, we went through multiple rounds of prototyping which led us to final products in the form of a cabinet and an accompanying app to relay the sentimental value of the item.
We conducted surveys and interviews to define our target user group and learn about emotional bonds between users and their belongings. Our surveys revealed that people value memorializing sentimental items but are hesitant to alter their forms. The average interest in a product that could help them do this was 6.34 out of 10. This insight led us to design a product that integrates a physical component with a digital narrative to preserve emotional connections.
How might we create emotional connection to a furniture piece?
We explored a range of user experiences for individuals interacting with their furniture. We started by mapping out ideas, then we sketched out where the collected textile would fit with in the furniture. Finally, we went through multiple rounds of prototyping which led us to our final product,
1. Boards made out of textiles with story
2. Digital experience that would help users memorialize the original fabric.
Our process started with small molds to compress different sizes of shredded textile scraps into boards. Over several iterations, we refined the materials using resin for structure. Then, we distinguished boards that would be the structure of the furniture and that would be the veneer sheet. Finally we put together all the boards to build a cabinet.
To complement the physical furniture, we designed a digital platform that lets users scan a QR code on the furniture to access its story. This includes images of the fabrication process and the original form of the materials, helping them memorialize the original fabric and enhancing the user’s connection to the product.
Weft Furniture underscores the transformative power of sustainable design in prolonging the lifespan of products and deepening the connections people have with their everyday objects. By blending compelling storytelling with environmental responsibility, Weft not only offers functional and aesthetic value but also encourages consumers to embrace more conscious consumption habits.
Currently WEFT is at the sate focusing more on testing out the materials and refining the boards itself. In future phases we look forward to increase the load bearings of the board and have broader options of furnitures and customizations.
What is a good idea?
For this project, our group wanted to find an idea that would solve a problem, is feasible, viable and could be scalable. Going through ... we na
pivot, bring back ideas that were pushed back and iterate.
Sustainable boards!
WEFT Furniture is accepted to the ACM SIGCHI TEI 25 Student Design Competition. With the theme of Sustainable TEI, we are exploring more environment friendly adhesives. We're currently testing out textile boards with rosin, biodegradable plastic, wax, candy and so on.
