Designer Interview
5 Froen
My father was an architect so my entire life has been influenced by design. My childhood was filled with ongoing projects related to residential renovations that maximized functionality to accommodate our large family.
Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
My father was an architect so my entire life has been influenced by design. My childhood was filled with ongoing projects related to residential renovations that maximized functionality to accommodate our large family. I don't recall thinking about becoming a designer in large part due to the immersive design environment in which I was raised. This environment was the unconscious catalyst that define my life through design and way of thinking from an early age. Before becoming an architect, my previous occupations included furniture design/fabrication and large scale decorative & performative architectural finishes.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
The studio is currently focused on the design and development of ergonomic products that exceed the design objective of enhanced ergonomics with solutions that provide some degree of therapeutic benefit. This approach is closely related to our ( Form x Function )™ principal and the best way to describe the lens through which the studio operates.
What is "design" for you?
Design is a tool that functions to allow the designer to develop their own unique language to connect and communicate important concepts and solutions - regardless of their complexity. It challenges us by providing an infinite number of tools that must be considered carefully but also rewards us when our language has been successfully developed and expressed.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I enjoy design challenges that, if successfully resolved, efficiently provide solutions that benefit a wide audience.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
The Chotto™ ( chair + ottoman ). I designed the Chotto so that I would become a better designer. In a sense, it was a self-serving endeavor to provide me with a healthier way to endure long hours designing on a digital platform. It exceeded its goal of enhanced ergonomics by therapeutically decompressing my lumbar and cervical spine, minimizing my muscle fatigue and enhancing my circulation. It accomplishes this automatically by simple sitting down and adjusting the headrest. The unique geometry and flexible seating surface of the Chotto dynamically adapts to each user weight, shape and movement. This ergonomic system strategically opposes gravitational forces acting on the body to proactively enhance musculoskeletal health, wellbeing and productivity.
