2026S Design a Chair
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the power of independence
Trousers are like an extension of the body. They protect us from external environmental factors, and trouser pockets help us carry things. If we don’t have trouser pockets, we have to rely on other options, such as handbags, rucksacks or bum bags. Rucksacks are bulky, and handbags restrict our mobility. The closer I carry objects to my body, the harder it is to take them away from me.
Working-Class-Perspektive: Arbeitshose – Tools in den Taschen
Jeans manufacturers made many empty promises to adapt their pockets to larger smartphones — without actually following through.
Dr Denim and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 
https://pudding.cool/2018/08/pockets/ “Praktische Kleidung wurde während des Krieges benötigt, aber als er vorbei war, förderte Christian Diors neuer Look enge Taillen und volle Röcke sowie eine Silhouette, die auf eine traditionelle Vorstellung von Weiblichkeit zurückgriff.“
“Men have bags to carry things in; women have them for decoration.” Christian Dior 1954Hosentaschen bei Frauen* sind kleiner damit die Kleidung schöner um den Körper fällt. what if – bewusste nicht ästhetik der Körperform?
Historisch: Damals wurden Frauen auf den häuslichen Bereich beschränkt. Das heißt: Sie sollten sich gar nicht so sehr in der Öffentlichkeit bewegen. Somit entfiel die Notwendigkeit, Gegenstände mit sich zu tragen. Im Haushalt ist der Aktionsradius gering.
Politics of Space : https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a14450-the-politics-of-space-architecture-as-tool-of-power-and-resistance/Gedanke: Die Welt außerhalb wurde für den arbeitenden Mann gestaltet, auf materieller/infrastruktureller so wie auf sozialer ebene
Privat vs. öffentlich → Was wird verborgen?
Kontrolle & Gender → Warum haben Frauen oft keine Taschen? Körpererweiterung → Tasche als „zweiter Körper“
Mobilität & Macht → Wer kann Dinge mit sich tragen?Raum einnehmen
Refuge Wear – Habitent, Stiudio Orta: https://www.studio-orta.com/en/artwork/3/Refuge-Wear-Habitent 
Yoko ono – Cut Piece, 1964 other Artists to look in to: Mierle Laderman Ukeles
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Mia Diploma
TOPIC
responsible design in inclusive education
CONTEXT
started working in a school for children with special (educational) needs in December – always been interested in the school sector and working with kids – first time I feel like I have a meaningful job – learning by doing – idea behind doing the work: contribute in a creative, hands on way and bring in new ideas and perspective that might be helpful – school very supportive in me doing my diploma with them (I am there making myself useful they don’t have to pay me except for one day a week = win win)
With this project I aim to explore how design can support inclusive learning environments for children with cognitive disabilities. I strongly oppose designing about the children or using them for only visibility. Instead I want to use this semester and the process of designing or imagining collectively as a learning opportunity to investigate what/how my contribution could be/look like.
MAPPING OUT COMPLEXITY OF NEEDS/ABILITIES/STRENGHTS/…
QUESTIONS
THREE POTENTIAL DESIGN DIRECTIONS
sketch of dead wood fence (forest excursion) 
sketches of already existing educational tools (self made) RESEARCH
Temple Grandin
podcast about visual thinking, learning and key points I found:
- sensitivities are about control (light, visual, touch, noise, … -> lots of neurodivergent kids have difficulties with these things but when they get to control them it shifts the whole topic -> AGENCY)
- exposure such an important topic -> oftentimes for children with SEND they are in an educational environment that works in a certain way where there is a lack of exposure when it comes to certain sides of what can be experienced. Neurodivergent children and children with autism (she claims) should get an insight into: cooking, sewing, wood and metal work, welding, music, theater/play, auto mechanical work, technical drawing, art;
I have access to: things/disciplines/techniques/materials/workshops the school does not have -> how can I apply this in my design and show something new
MULTISENSORY INPUT
Development of multiplayer video games and multi sensory stories together with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
multi sensory interventions have a large effects on adaptive behavior for people with ID
important: sense of empowerment, enjoyment, increased confidence and improved social skills. A questionnaire was used (teachers and parents filled it out) -> theory of planned behavior (intention to perform or permit behavior) was tested as well. It worked in the way that they had a sense of control, changing the attitude of what’s possible to make, normalizing creative experimentation as part of their practice, and building their confidence to try things themselves.
CONCLUSION
wide range of input and experiences add to engagement and learning in school (,,broadening horizon” to what’s possible)
I try to offer a range of things I’ve already done in my studies at Angewandte particularly through DI projects through a collaborative process where I do try outs and experiments from each sector every week (document those, reflect, …)
JOURNAL
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Tutorials March 20th
Designing a chair asking “Could a chair provide comfort through active interaction?”
The urge of getting a massage without the help of another person
Massage Chair
The interest in building a contraption that’s mechanically powered, with muscle power as a starting point
Fujiiryoki Automatic Massage chair from 1954 Making a chair multi purpose (more than just the support of your body and/or comfort)
Pedaling to improve bloodflow for thrombosis patients
Pedal powered sewing machine
Why this technique instead of classic bycicle pedals?
- Provides easier accessibility than the need of two legs for classic pedals
- Demands rhythm from the user, eventually leading to a “fidgeting” motion maybe improving concentration
- Rhythm makes a certain speed of the massage heads possible and keeps it consecutive
- Fulfills the idea of a rocking-pedal for thrombosis patients
Aesthetics
Rehab Chair by Xinyan Yang & Zhongfeng Zhang, College of Furniture and Art Design, ChinaToo much of a medical device design
Manufactum Massage Roller 
Wood for massage rollers, as a pleasant natural material for contact with the body, and general construction of the chair
Leather as natural, durable material for sitting surface and maybe armrests
Metal for mechanical parts, durable and exact to manufacture
Experience with all of these materials, also help is accessible in the university workshops
Alternative
A chair that uses the own body weight with massage surfaces / hand flatterers etc. to provide additional comfort
Surfaces individually carved from wood
Problem:
Formulate a question regarding the brief – what kind of investigative stance could this chair take?
