FRC-1
Chair Design Project
3rd Year - Sprint
The Problem
People who have suffered from back injuries are very likely to have increased difficulty with being seated for an extended period of time. The lower back (lumbar) is where pain normally gathers first, this is also a common issue for people without a history of back injuries.
Research
I reached out to people with existing back/ spine conditions as well as those who have suffered with a back injury in the past. Along with some secondary research, this was essential for gathering information before starting my project.
It was evident there is a lack of attention towards those with back conditions when designing standard seating products. Foam rolling was also identified as an extremely effective solution for alleviating back pain and increasing mobility.
Development
I wanted to design a seating experience that inspires movement, using a foam roller to facilitate this was the core idea.
Conducting some simple posture experiments allowed me to identify common pitfalls of standard chairs and sitting positions, I was interested to trial how movement could eradicate these problems. Attention towards the lumbar area was of specific value.
Proposal - FRC-1
FRC-1 tackles sitting induced back pain by providing a dynamic assortment of movement and physical therapy. A free spinning foam roller housed around bearings helps promote correct posture and increase blood flow in pain areas, massaging out nasty muscle knots causing pain. The cantilever design ensures that the chair is always in motion, facilitating the natural need for movement when sitting and therefore combating stiffness and pain.
