Daejo Stools by Tom Man is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 Bronze A' Design Award in Furniture Design Competition Category.
BronzeFurniture· 2024
Daejo Stools
by Tom Man
Client: Tomaya Studio
Bronze A' Design Award Winner in Furniture Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #145853The Design
About Daejo Stools
Inspired by Soetsu Yanagi's philosophy, Daejo redefines the relationship with furniture, elevating the wooden stool into a symbol of enduring beauty. Crafted from Hard Maple wood using precision CNC technology and traditional techniques, each Daejo stool embodies durability and fine craftsmanship. The unique grain patterns add individuality, reflecting the wood's journey from forest to workshop. Despite challenges, Daejo transcends functionality to become sculptural art, enriching spaces with timeless elegance.
The Recognition
About the Bronze A' Design Award
Daejo Stools is a Bronze A' Design Award winner, a highly prestigious recognition granted to outstanding designs distinguished by creativity, ingenuity, and astuteness. Bronze winners are amply skillful and strikingly creative artifacts that authenticate the vast experience, imagination, and resourcefulness of their designers. Daejo Stools is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished object that is notably professional and innovative. This Bronze A' Design Award-winning design incorporates best practices in art, science, design, and technology, and is excellent for its attention to detail. Daejo Stools splendidly satisfies needs, touches desires, charms feelings, and appeals to curiosity.
Interviews
Design Interview
What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
Inspired by philosopher Soetsu Yanagi's book "The Beauty of Everyday Things" (2019), my design ethos revolves around redefining our relationship with everyday objects. Yanagi's philosophy emphasizes care, longevity, and appreciation for our belongings, which deeply resonates with my approach. Motivated by this vision, my design series aims to elevate the humble wooden stool into an object of enduring beauty and significance. Through meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design, each piece in the series embodies Yanagi's belief that everyday possessions should evoke feelings of respect and affection. By embracing simplicity and elegance, my work invites users to rediscover the inherent beauty in the simplest of objects, fostering a deeper appreciation for the tangible aspects of our surroundings.
What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
My main focus in designing this work was to provide a tangible response to the question, "Why do I design?" It was an honest journey seeking clarity on this inquiry. Additionally, I aimed to create an inherent appeal, something that would compel people to touch and connect with the design on a deeper level.
What are your future plans for this award winning design?
Actually, it's already in motion as we are beginning to manufacture all three variants in different types of wood. On one hand, we are actively pursuing retailers to showcase and distribute the designs. On the other hand, we're leveraging the success of these designs to inspire and develop new variations and concepts.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- Daejo stands as a pinnacle of modern furniture design, meticulously crafted to embody a holistic perspective that transcends the ordinary. Its meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail enhance each piece's inherent beauty, offering captivating visual aesthetics and unparalleled sensory experiences. With a blend of tradition and innovation, Daejo aspires to redefine furniture design, aiming to enhance both spaces and lives.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Product dimensions: Width D: 350 mm X Height: 460mm
- Tags
- Stool, Wood, Wooden Stool, Stool Design, Wood Design, Furniture, Furniture Design
- Production Technology
- In the production of the Daejo stool, Hard Maple wood, renowned for its durability and fine grains, is utilized through a precision cutting process (CNC) combined with traditional woodworking techniques. The wood's variations lend themselves beautifully to the creation of furniture that is not only strong but also has a naturally inviting texture. Each seat features grain patterns akin to fingerprints, unique to every piece, telling a story of the wood's journey from forest to workshop.
- Design Challenge
- The creative challenge of the Daejo project was finding the delicate balance between traditional craftsmanship and modern design aesthetics. This required seamlessly blending centuries-old woodworking techniques with advanced CNC technology, demanding meticulous attention to detail and numerous iterations through prototyping. Historical perspectives on furniture design and societal expectations for functionality and aesthetics further complicated the process. External factors such as production constraints, technological limitations, and the quest for sustainable materials posed additional hurdles to overcome.
Despite these challenges, the Daejo stools transcend their functional purpose, emerging as sculptural pieces that transform everyday objects into works of art. This commitment to sustainable luxury is evident in the meticulous selection of materials, expert craftsmanship, and thoughtful design. Beyond being mere seating options, the Daejo stools embody a thoughtful intentionality, seamlessly integrating into our lives and spaces while elevating them with their timeless elegance. - Inspiration
- Inspired by philosopher Soetsu Yanagi's book "The Beauty of Everyday Things" (2019), Daejo seeks to redefine our relationship with everyday objects. Yanagi's philosophy, advocating care, longevity, and appreciation for our belongings, resonates deeply with Daejo's ethos. Motivated by this vision, the series elevates the humble wooden stool into an object of enduring beauty and significance. Through meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design, Daejo embodies Yanagi's notion that everyday possessions should evoke feelings of respect and affection. By embracing simplicity and elegance, Daejo invites users to rediscover the beauty inherent in the simplest of objects, fostering a deeper appreciation for the tangible manifestations of our surroundings.
- Project Duration
- The project is part of an ongoing initiative initiated during my Aesthetic studies, commencing in 2020 and continuing beyond the submission deadline in June 2022.
- Operation Flow
- Daejo stools are meant to be appreciated through their effortless operation and transformative presence. Users can seamlessly interact with the stools, sitting, observing, and moving with ease. Each stool's unique design offers a different seating experience, catering to various preferences and spaces. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and durable materials, including Hard Maple wood, these stools are built to last for generations. Their enduring quality ensures they remain functional and aesthetically pleasing over time, becoming cherished pieces that enhance living spaces for years to come. Through superior craftsmanship and thoughtful design, Daejo stools deliver unparalleled performance, enriching the user experience and leaving a lasting impression on generations to come.
- Team Members
- Tom Man
- Image Credits
- Pavel Zubenko, 2022.
Sponsored
Explore Beyond Designers.org
Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.
More to Explore
Related Designs
Explore more award-winning designs from the same category, selected by merit.
