Client:
Personal
Year:
2023
Type:
Product
About the project
How can design encourage people to keep their products for longer?
This project explores how personality, emotion, and adaptability can strengthen the bond between people and the objects they own. By understanding the emotional drivers behind product attachment, the aim was to create a multifunctional stool that users value enough to keep, reducing unnecessary replacement and supporting more sustainable patterns of consumption.
the why
This project began with an exploration of how modular furniture can respond to both practical needs and emotional comfort. User research revealed the importance of plush support, ergonomic proportions, and the freedom to configure pieces to suit changing lifestyles. The design vision drew from the soft curves of the banksia plant and the warm, inviting spirit of 1970s modular living, creating a system that feels both timeless and adaptable.
experiementation
Translating Nature and Nostalgia into Form
I translated influences into moodboards, sketches, and foam models, experimenting with proportions, section shapes, and joinery details. Concepts balanced a simple, approachable aesthetic with moments of visual intrigue when viewed from different angles. Material studies explored a palette of warm fabrics, contrast stitching, and soft fills to enhance the sensory appeal.
Testing & feedback
Iterating for Comfort, Style, and Flexibility
Selected concepts were developed into detailed CAD models to test ergonomics, scale, and modular connections. Small adjustments to cushion depth, seam placement, and module junctions improved both comfort and visual flow. Exploded views and dimension studies ensured manufacturing feasibility, while fabric and colour selections were fine-tuned to support a broad range of interior styles.
Final Design
Comfort You Can Shape to Your Life
The final Malle design is a flexible lounge system that can be tailored to any space, from intimate corners to expansive living rooms. Its soft fills, considered proportions, and organic detailing create an inviting presence from every angle. By pairing 70s-inspired modularity with natural influences, Malle offers not just a place to sit, but a space to relax, gather, and make your own.
