Puzzle-Inspired Furniture Design: A Case Study of Democratic Design
Pallavi P. R. (a), Supradip Das (a*)

a) Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Guwahati, Assam, India 781039
*supradip.das[at]iitg.ac.in

Abstract

Engaging individuals in the process of assembling their furniture is not a novel idea. IKEA has pioneered the concept of a democratic design process that centers on manufacturing furniture with ready-to-assemble components, along with other considerations, allowing for packaging in smaller, more compact forms, facilitating easier transportation and significantly reducing costs, which aligns well with their concept. Expanding upon the experience of assembling and utilizing the furniture, there is an opportunity to transform it into a captivating and pleasurable activity involving individuals or groups. This is where puzzles can play a pivotal role. By integrating puzzles, these interactions can be enhanced or modified while in use or during its assembly offering a different kind of interaction with furniture. Additionally, the need for adhesives, nails, and other similar fasteners can be eliminated by relying on interesting joinery inspired from puzzles. As a part of this design and development process, various types of puzzles were examined, with particular emphasis on the physical and mechanical varieties. These puzzles were deconstructed to comprehend their structure and thereby visualize their solutions. The insights and concepts understood from this were then applied to furniture design. This paper illustrates the exploratory design process of puzzle-inspired furniture design.

Keywords: Mechanical puzzles, Furniture Joinery, Furniture Design, DIY Furniture Experience

Topic: Creative Design