Misfit Cathair by Chanhee Kim is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 Duais Umha A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àirneis Competition Category.

UmhaÀirneis· 2024

Misfit Cathair

by Chanhee Kim

Duais Umha A' Design Award Winner in Àirneis Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Misfit Cathair

Is cathaoir adhmaid í Misfit atá deartha chun tacú le suíomhanna suí éagsúla. Tá an chathaoir déanta as adhmad feá agus críochnaithe le vearnais saitín, rud a nochtann dath nádúrtha an ábhair. Ceanglaíonn cosa cúlacha lúbtha le taca droma leathchruinn atá cruthaithe trí lúbadh laimineáite. Buaileann na cosa, an taca droma agus na barraí trasnánacha ar a chéile ag uillinneacha éagsúla agus foirmíonn siad iomlán cothromaithe. Soláthraíonn muinteardaigh mhorthaise agus theanáin, chomh maith le muinteardaigh dingthe, cobhsaíocht agus marthanacht. Tacaíonn an taca droma leathchruinn leis an gcolún droma agus feidhmíonn sé freisin mar thaca nuair a shuíonn an t-úsáideoir go taobhach.

The Recognition

About the Duais Umha A' Design Award

Tha Misfit Cathair air Duais Umha A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean sònraichte a tha air an comharrachadh le cruthachalachd, innleachd agus geurchuis. Tha buannaichean Umha nan obraichean gu math sgileil agus gu sònraichte cruthachail a dhearbhas eòlas farsaing, mac-meanmna agus tapachd an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Misfit Cathair na nì air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach, a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Umha A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr ann an ealain, saidheans, dealbhadh agus teicneolas an gnìomh, agus tha e sàr-mhath airson an aire do mhion-fhiosrachadh. Bidh Misfit Cathair a' sàsachadh fheumalachdan gu h-iongantach, a' suathadh ri miannan, a' tàladh faireachdainnean agus a' togail fiosrachd.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The Misfit Chair is characterized by curved rear legs connected to the handle of the backrest. The legs, backrests, and crossbars all meet at distinctive angles, contributing to its unique design, and reflecting the unconstrained spirit of the current generation. Mortise and tenon joints ensure stability and wedged joints enhance durability, especially in connecting the backrest and rear legs. The semicircular backrest adds aesthetic appeal and allows versatile seating.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 695mm X Depth 705mm X Height 805mm
Tags: chair, chair design, furniture, Gen-Z, woodworking
Production Technology: The backrest was made through lamination bending, and all legs and crossbars were pulled out from angled wooden rods converted into round wooden rods through a router table. The frame consists of a half-lap joint, and the seat is also fitted to the frame. Satin varnish is used for an overall finish to stand out for beech wood's unique beautiful natural color.
Design Challenge: The most challenging aspect of the project was securely connecting the angled and intricate joints. As someone who had only been learning woodworking for just over two years, creating this chair posed a significant challenge for me. However, after numerous trial and error attempts, I successfully achieved sturdy connections for all the joints. This experience left me with the lesson that perseverance in the face of challenges can lead to success.
Research: This project aimed envisioning the element of good furniture and setting the direction for my future work. Studying historical pieces, I found that great chairs often express stories of their time through unique, functional forms. Similarly, as a member of present era, I believe my designs should reflect the narrative of my generation, making them distinctive and something only my generation or I can achieve Through this project, I tried to explore individuality and beauty of present generation.
Inspiration: In general, older generations are more likely to perceive younger generations as crooked misfits. However, In my opinion, The quirkiness of the younger generation does not represent rebellion but can be interpreted as an authentic journey of self-discovery and embracement of individual freedom. With this in mind, this furniture features legs, backrest, and crossbars meeting at entirely different angles while coming together in harmony, reflecting the spirit and beauty of the current generation.
Project Duration: Started in March 2023 in Seoul. Finished in December 2023 in Seoul.
Operation Flow: The semi-circular backrest provides firm support for the spine, allowing users to sit in various positions comfortably. For instance, even when the user twists their body at a 90-degree angle, the portion that served as an armrest now functions as back support. This aligns with the concept of a perversed, unconstrained generation, offering the functionality of being able to seat in diverse postures.