Oh Chair Lêzerslounzje by Ao Zhou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award yn Izer in Generatyf, Algoritmysk, Parametrysk en AI-stipe Ûntwerp Competition Category.

IzerGeneratyf· 2024

Oh Chair Lêzerslounzje

by Ao Zhou

Client: Meso Design

A' Design Award yn Izer Winner in Generatyf Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #159602

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Colors

The Design

About Oh Chair Lêzerslounzje

Oh Chair is in moderne reaksje op 'e ikoaniske retro-futuristyske aaistoël. Troch it ynsetten fan 'e bûgde driedbasis en it fisueel iepen ûntwerp fan 'e karakteristike sitteplak, koenen de ûntwerpers de essinsje fan har oanpak fan foaroansteande technology fêstlizze. It belûken fan AIGC yn it skeppingsproses makke it foar Oh Chair mooglik om it perspektyf fan 'e ûntwerpers op Keunstmjittige Yntelliginsje te toanen: meistuorje mei in iepen geast en soarchfâldige oerwagingen, foarútgong omearme wylst se bewust binne fan 'e omjouwende kontekst.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Izer

Oh Chair Lêzerslounzje is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Izer, in prestisjeuze erkenning foar goede ûntwerpen dy't foldogge oan de profesjonele en yndustriële easken dy't ferwachte wurde fan goed ûntwurpen skeppings. Izerwinners litte grutte feardigens, hege spesjalisaasje, deskundich begryp en kreatyf fermogen fan har makkers sjen. Fan Oh Chair Lêzerslounzje wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierbere skepping is dy't praktysk en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Izer yntegrearret de bêste praktiken fan de sektor en hat feardige technyske skaaimerken ferbûn mei kennis en talint. Oh Chair Lêzerslounzje wurdt respektearre foar syn yngeandens en is ûntwurpen om ferbetteringen fan de kwaliteit fan it libben te leverjen dy't helpe de wrâld ta in bettere plak te meitsjen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Oh Chair is a modern response to the iconic retro-futuristic egg chair. By incorporating the bent wire base and the visually open design of the signature seat, the designers were able to capture the essence of their approach to cutting-edge technology.
Involving AIGC in the creation process allowed Oh Chair to showcase the designers' perspective on Artificial Intelligence: co-piloting with an open mind and careful consideration, embracing progress while being mindful of the surrounding context.
Dimensions & Packaging: 706 mm X 1316 mm X 1356 mm
Tags: Artificial Intelligence, Algorithmic Furniture, Retrofuturistic, Sustainability, AI-Assisted Design, Furniture Design, Generative Design, Recycled Material, Stainless Steel, Future Casting, Lounge Chair, Sessel Design, Ergonomics
Production Technology: Design Process: Blender/Figma/Photoshop/AIGC

Materials: 100% recyclable polyethylene, Fabric, Stainless Steel
Design Challenge: Training the AI model is the biggest challenge that we met. Instead of just starting from scratch with a publicly available generative AI model, we trained the Stable Diffusion image-generation model on both modernism and retro-futuristic catalogs from the 1920s-1930s, and 1950s to 1960s. This process leads to thousands of Iterations and Ideations. We need to adapt to the technical demands of AI and invest in training and infrastructure. Images generated with these two distinct data sets reflect the general aesthetic of those time periods and that also correspond with our original design goal: While following the legacy of the timeless design from above two golden periods, exploring new materials, construction techniques, and ergonomic solutions within the constraints of a chair design, ultimately producing a functional and aesthetically compelling piece of furniture.
Research: This design project is a speculative experience exploring the impact of creative technologies on the design process. We suspect generative design will speed up the early stage exploration with conversational response, but yet know how it helps the final visualization. To figure out, we conducted qualitative research on how the designer workflow is impacted by generative co-creation.

In this test, designers are the participants. We collected and analyzed data exchange from every step of the design process, from MidJourney to Blender to Photoshop, and found the preset “prompt” setting of the scope for the entire project. After the back-and-forth chat process between the chief designer and mid-journey, generative tech assisted the designer in putting their vision to work and setting the boundaries and visual direction with an extensive image database from both modernism and retro-futuristic, thus clarifying the designer’s direction with the provided tangible option for the next stage.

However, the image generated by AI hardly applies to furniture modeling and production because of its limitation on understanding the z-axis and following the basic law of physics. Here is when the designer takes the lead. During the iteration phase, the design, and design alongside the visualizer collaborated as human factor engineers to restructure the initial design with more human factor and production consideration. Adding human touches, like a round cushion for back support and a visual icon; injects consciousness of sustainability with the material choice. At this stage, generative AI assists the creative process by presenting an incorrect baseline design embodied in the same art direction, this gives designers great motivation to “Correct” the structure, thus self-critique their vision and focus on the human factor and material choices.

The result of the research result is that generative AI is a great tool for visualizing designer vision with lightning speed and liberating design from the heavy lifting of self-double by accelerating the brainstorming process with a pre-trained database and creating “other” derivatives from “self” for more conscious iteration and less self double for later revisions.
Inspiration: The seating of the Oh Chair is reminiscent of bended paper, mimic the lightness and organic fluidity of a paper drifting in the wind, and symbolizing the dawn of a new era.
The welded metal tubes, with their simple bends, pay homage to the outline of a classic paperclip.
Drawing inspiration from Munich, the birthplace of Stable Diffusion, this armchair seamlessly blends diversity, vitality, humanity, and urban elements all in one.
Project Duration: The project started October 2023 in Munich, and finished in January 2024 in Munich and Los Angeles.
Team Members: Art Director: Jiaying Zhou(Connie)
Chief Designer: Ao Zhou
Visualization Designer: Jackson Zhang