Connect 고양이 가구 by Vazken Kara Gozian is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award 동상 in 반려동물 케어, 완구, 용품 및 동물용 제품 디자인 Competition Category.

동반려동물 케어· 2024

Connect 고양이 가구

by Vazken Kara Gozian

Client: Papuk

A' Design Award 동상 Winner in 반려동물 케어 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 Connect 고양이 가구

커넥트 컬렉션은 파푹의 플래그십 라인으로, 고양이의 편안함을 위해 집의 미학을 희생하지 않고 사람과 고양이가 함께 살 수 있다는 믿음으로 디자인되었습니다. 인간 친화적인 이 모듈형 캣 타워는 쿠션, 장난감, 스크래치 패드, 식기 트레이 등 다양한 탈부착 액세서리를 통해 개인 맞춤이 가능하며, 반려묘만큼이나 독특한 경험을 선사합니다. 제품 소재와 마감재까지 맞춤 선택할 수 있어 반려묘 보호자가 자신만의 개인적 스타일과 조화를 이룰 수 있습니다.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 동상

Connect 고양이 가구, 이 작품은 A' Design Award 동상 수상작으로, 창의성, 독창성, 영민함으로 돋보이는 뛰어난 디자인에 수여되는 높은 권위의 인정입니다. 동상 수상작은 충분히 숙련되고 인상적으로 창의적인 작품으로, 디자이너의 폭넓은 경험, 상상력, 기지를 입증합니다. Connect 고양이 가구, 이 작품은 높이 평가받고 감탄과 사랑을 받는 사물로서 두드러지게 전문적이고 혁신적일 것으로 기대됩니다. 이 동상 수상 디자인은 예술, 과학, 디자인, 기술의 모범 사례를 담고 있으며 세부에 대한 주의로 훌륭합니다. Connect 고양이 가구, 이 작품은 필요를 훌륭하게 충족하고 욕망에 닿으며 감정을 매료하고 호기심을 불러일으킵니다.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Connect Collection was driven by the belief that humans and cats can live together without sacrificing the beauty of our home, for the comfort of theirs. Our modular design approach allows for the personalization of our furniture with a series of attachable accessories such as cushion, toy, scratch pad and food tray, creating a customizable experience as unique as your feline friend. The customization extends to product materials and finishes, providing our customers with the ability to match their own personal style.

Unlike many other cat trees on the market, the Connect Collection is built with durability in mind to stand the test of playtime for cats of varying energy levels, with easy replacement of parts and accessories to reduce waste and creating much needed consistency for cats.
Dimensions & Packaging: 80W x 40D x 130H cm
Tags: Cat Tree, Cat Furniture, Pet Furniture, Modular Cat Tree, Contemporary Cat Tree
Production Technology: The structure is made of solid Ash dowels with Ash veneered plywood. The cushion cover is made of cotton & polyester with foam insert and leather straps. The ring of the toy is made of wood with leather strap and pompom made of faux fur with rattle insert.
Design Challenge: The hardest part of the design process has been and continues to be an ingrained societal perception that cat products be cheaply made, serving just function without aesthetic consideration.

Some cat owners balk at the sight of a cat tree that lacks the carpeting and sisal rope they're used to seeing. They've become hyper aware of their cat's needs while having lost sight of their human aesthetic needs. Paradoxically, they want to have their cat on full display, comfortable on a cat tree that's on full display as well, degrading the appearance of their home.

Our marketing efforts have honed in on re-education for this market segment to demonstrate that cat furniture is furniture like a table, couch or lamp and the same aesthetic considerations that go into those furniture pieces need to go into furniture for their cat as well.
Research: Starting with our own cats as test subjects, The Connect Cat Tree was prototyped with safety and durability at it's core. Following our first prototype, it became clear that the increased weight of natural wood materials would allow for a thinner, more refined dowel system. Internal reinforcements were then introduced within the platforms to to ensure when dowels were twisted into place, they wouldn't become loose over time.

The second prototype was then tested by different cats with varying levels of energy. The structural integrity of the cat tree remained consistent.

Feedback from participants living in condos with less room encouraged us to embrace the customization of it's footprint to accommodate varying sized living spaces.

During this development phase we also learned from participating cat owners that the cat cushion was becoming their cats favorite place to dig their nails into. We then reinforced the durability of the fabric materials used for the cushion to ensure it didn't quickly become shredded with use and could be machine washed as necessary.

The cat toy was later introduced and went through several stages of development to ensure the pom of the toy attracted the interest of cats, while standing up to their play. Through trial and error, a custom-made pom proved to be the clear winner.

Following our testing phase, the insights we gleaned from both cats and their owners informed our final design approach. Our fanbase of customers continues to share their insights as we further refine the design of The Connect Cat Tree and it's series of accessories.
Inspiration: Humans have shared their homes with cats for a long time, providing everything they could to accommodate for their comfort. However, few options were available for cat furniture that considered both function and aesthetics. Clearly there was a hole in the market ready to be filled by a design solution for cat owners who care about the look of their home.
Our starting point was the Scandinavian design principles of beauty in simplicity and minimalism. While also paying careful attention to a cat's functional needs, we created a cat tree that benefited both cats and owners.
Project Duration: This project was first conceived in April 2020 in Toronto, Canada. Following several design prototypes, The Connect Collection was made available in North America for purchase in December 2022.
Operation Flow: The no-tools-required assembly of The Connect Cat Tree requires the twisting of adjoining dowels together between ascending platforms. The double width nature of the platforms and varying dowel lengths enable its modular design approach allowing for personalization in its structure - taller or shorter, skinny or wide to accommodate any sized space.

The attachable accessories can be affixed to any platform throughout the structure. Should a cat prefer a higher or lower platform, the cushion with it's leather straps can accommodate varying feline preferences. Similarly, the toy can be affixed between any dowel and platform, creating the opportunity for independent play, while its removable wooden ring becomes a handle for cats and their owners to play together.

With the attachable food tray and scratch pad, any platform can be designated as a place to eat or a place to scratch and stretch.
Image Credits: All Images: Dion Lin