Wearable Tech in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges

Wearable Tech in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges

Wearable technology has revolutionized personal health monitoring, empowering individuals to take control of their well-being like never before. From tracking steps to monitoring heart rates and detecting sleep patterns, wearables are becoming an integral part of the healthcare ecosystem. The journey of wearable health technology began with simple pedometers and fitness trackers. Over the years, these devices have evolved into sophisticated tools capable of monitoring health metrics like ECGs [electrocardiograms], blood oxygen levels, and glucose levels. Key milestones include the launch of the Fitbit in 2009, popularizing fitness tracking, the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015, which debuted with integrated health features, and continuous glucose monitors becoming mainstream in the early 2020s. These advancements illustrate the rapid progression of wearable technology and further underscore its potential in the market. The global market for wearable medical devices was valued at $60 billion in 2022 and has been growing steadily. This Insight article explores the opportunities and challenges in wearable health tech, outlines key design considerations for designing in this area, and provides product examples to bring the concepts to life.

Opportunities in Wearable Health Monitoring

doctor holding an iPhone

The rise of wearable health technology is transforming the landscape of personal healthcare, offering users real-time insights that empower them to take charge of their well-being. These devices provide immediate healthcare metrics as well as feedback on those metrics, and play a pivotal role in preventative care, chronic disease management, and personalized health solutions. By integrating with advanced technologies like AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables are changing how individuals monitor their health and engage with healthcare providers, ultimately fostering a more proactive, data-driven approach to wellness.

1. Empowering Individuals with Real-Time Insights – Wearables provide users with immediate feedback on their health, fostering awareness and encouraging healthier habits.

Product Example: Fitbit Charge 6 The Fitbit Charge 5 offers real-time feedback on a user’s health by tracking heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns. With built-in features like the Daily Readiness Score and stress management tools, the device empowers individuals to monitor their health continuously and adjust their habits accordingly to improve well-being.

2. Preventative Healthcare – By identifying early warning signs of conditions such as arrhythmias or sleep apnea, wearables can facilitate timely interventions and reduce healthcare costs.

Product Example: Withings ScanWatch The Withings ScanWatch is a hybrid smartwatch that combines traditional timekeeping with advanced health monitoring. It can detect early signs of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation (AFib) through an ECG feature, as well as monitor blood oxygen levels and sleep apnea. This helps users identify potential health issues before they become critical, enabling timely interventions and preventative care.

3. Chronic Disease Management – Devices like continuous glucose monitors and blood pressure trackers enable patients to manage conditions such as diabetes and hypertension more effectively.

Product Example: Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) The Dexcom G6 is a continuous glucose monitoring system designed for individuals with diabetes. It provides real-time glucose readings and sends alerts when blood sugar levels are too high or low. This allows users to take immediate action to manage their diabetes more effectively, reducing the risk of complications associated with the condition.

4. Personalized Health Solutions – Wearables’ ability to collect continuous data allows for tailored health recommendations, advancing the concept of precision medicine.

Product Example: Oura Ring The Oura Ring collects a wealth of personal health data, including sleep patterns, physical activity, heart rate variability, and body temperature. It uses this continuous data to provide personalized insights and recommendations, helping users optimize their lifestyle and health habits based on their unique biology and needs, advancing the concept of precision medicine.

5. Integration with AI and IoT – Connected ecosystems, powered by artificial intelligence, allow wearables to sync with other devices and share data with healthcare providers, enhancing diagnosis and care coordination.

Product Example: Apple Watch Series 10 The Apple Watch Series 10 is an excellent example of wearable health technology that integrates AI and IoT. The device tracks a range of health metrics (like heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen levels, and more), and syncs with other devices and apps within the Apple ecosystem. Through machine learning, it provides personalized health insights and allows healthcare providers to access the data for better diagnosis and care coordination.

Challenges in Designing Wearable Health Devices

woman wearing an apple watch

Designing wearable health devices presents a unique set of challenges that require careful consideration of both technical and user-centric factors. From creating a seamless user experience that balances comfort and functionality to ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and security of the data collected, developers must navigate a complex landscape. Additionally, concerns over battery life, data privacy, and regulatory compliance add further layers of complexity to the design process, making it essential for manufacturers to strike a balance between innovation and practicality.

1. User Experience (UX) Design – Wearables must strike a balance between aesthetics, usability, and comfort for long-term wear.

2. Data Accuracy and Reliability – Ensuring consistent, reliable data in varying conditions (e.g., movement, temperature) remains a significant hurdle.

3. Battery Life and Power Efficiency – Extended battery life is important for user satisfaction as well as functionality, requiring careful trade-offs in hardware design.

4. Data Privacy and Security – Protecting sensitive health information from breaches is paramount, especially in connected devices.

5. Regulatory Compliance – Navigating stringent regulations, such as FDA approval, can slow innovation and increase development costs.

Design Considerations for Wearable Health Tech

With these opportunities and challenges in mind, what should we be thinking about as designers approaching a wearable project in the healthcare industry? Well…ideally, a lot. Here are a few of the considerations we prioritize here at Interwoven when designing wearable health devices.

designers collaborating on paper with computers

1. Ergonomics + Comfort – Devices should be comfortable and adaptable to various body types for continuous use and suitability for a broad audience.

2. Materials and Durability – Hypoallergenic and sweat-resistant materials ensure safety and reliability. Sustainable materials also appeal to eco-conscious users.

3. Aesthetics – Designers must create visually appealing devices that seamlessly integrate into users’ lifestyles.

4. Accessibility – Products should cater to diverse demographics, including older adults and individuals with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity.

Take a look at our Breg CrossRunner Soft Knee Brace project or our Whitecloud Medical Utility Bag project to get a sense of how these considerations play out in a real application. Check out our Spotlight interview with medical design consultant Yukiko Naoi to dive deeper into the design process for medical projects. 

Case Study: Apple Watch’s ECG Monitoring

The introduction of the Apple Watch’s electrocardiogram (ECG) feature in 2018 marked a major milestone in wearable health technology. With FDA clearance, the Apple Watch became one of the first consumer devices to offer medical-grade heart health monitoring, allowing users to detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other heart conditions. By enabling users to take an ECG with just the touch of their finger on the watch’s digital crown, Apple combined cutting-edge technology with an intuitive, user-friendly interface. This design made it easy for individuals, even those without a medical background, to perform the test and receive immediate results. The seamless integration of this feature into the Apple Watch’s existing ecosystem of health and fitness tracking tools offered users a holistic approach to heart health monitoring, empowering them to stay proactive about their well-being.

The success of the Apple Watch’s ECG feature underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and user-centric design in wearable health tech. FDA clearance not only ensured that the device met high medical standards for accuracy and safety but also established it as a trusted tool for health monitoring. This regulatory approval boosted consumer confidence, positioning the Apple Watch as a legitimate, medically reliable device. By detecting conditions like AFib early, the wearable has the potential to prevent serious health issues, ultimately reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes. As wearable technology continues to evolve, the Apple Watch’s ECG feature serves as a prime example of how innovation, regulatory adherence, and user experience can come together to create a product that positively impacts personal and public health.

The Role of Design

Designers play a pivotal role in the success of wearable tech in healthcare. By prioritizing human-centered design, they can create solutions that are not only functional but also transformative. As wearables continue to evolve, designers must think beyond aesthetics to address usability, inclusivity, and sustainability. Together, these considerations will pave the way for innovations that improve lives and redefine healthcare. Wearable technology represents a unique intersection of design, technology, and healthcare. For design professionals, this field offers immense opportunities to contribute meaningfully while tackling exciting, genuine challenges. The future of wearable health tech is bright—and design is at the core of that potential.

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10 Innovative Material Resources for Designers

10 Innovative Material Resources for Designers

In the ever-evolving world of design, materials often serve as the foundation for creativity and innovation. Whatever the project, the right materials can elevate your work from functional to extraordinary. With the growing emphasis on sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics, today’s designers are not just seeking raw materials—they’re exploring innovative resources that push boundaries. From bio-based composites to advanced upcycling, these materials are transforming industries and redefining what’s possible. This Insight article explores ten exceptional resources that provide cutting-edge materials for designers, offering tools to fuel inspiration and solve complex challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an emerging talent, these innovative platforms and products are sure to expand your toolkit and your imagination.

1. Queen of Raw

Recycled Textiles at Your Fingertips
Queen of Raw [now Aloqia] is a digital marketplace for surplus and deadstock fabrics. By connecting designers with unused materials from global fashion brands, it promotes sustainability while reducing landfill waste. Whether you need high-end silk or performance fabrics, this platform offers eco-conscious alternatives for your projects.

Best For: Apparel, interiors, and sustainable design projects.

2. Material ConneXion

The Ultimate Material Library
Material ConneXion is a treasure trove for designers seeking innovative materials. With a physical library and a digital database, it houses thousands of materials, including bio-based plastics, smart textiles, and translucent concrete. Their team of material scientists can also help guide your choices.

Best For: Comprehensive material exploration across industries.

Material ConneXion swatches
Material ConneXion material showroom, NYC.

3. FabScrap

Closing the Loop on Fabric Waste
Based in New York City, FabScrap collects and redistributes textile waste from fashion brands. Designers can access their diverse inventory, which includes remnants and high-quality fabric rolls, perfect for sustainable and small-scale creations.

Best For: Ethical fashion and small-scale production.

Fabscrap fabrics on bolts
Fabscrap’s colorful textile inventory.

4. The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute

Certified for Sustainability
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute is a nonprofit that certifies materials that meet rigorous sustainability and safety criteria. Their database includes everything from non-toxic paints to recyclable packaging solutions, empowering designers to create responsibly.

Best For: Designers aiming to achieve circular economy principles.

5. BASF Creation Center

Rethink Plastics with Innovation Labs
BASF’s [Badische Anilin und Sodafabrik] Creation Centers are hubs for designers and engineers to experiment with high-performance materials. From lightweight composites to bio-based plastics, the center offers solutions tailored for everything from automotive design to consumer goods.

Best For: Advanced material innovation for industrial design.

6. Precious Plastics

DIY Recycling for Circular Designs
Precious Plastics is a global community of makers who repurpose plastic waste into functional products. Their open-source machines and tutorials allow designers to turn discarded plastics into bespoke materials for projects.

Best For: Designers passionate about hands-on recycling and upcycling.

7. MatWeb

Comprehensive Material Data at Your Fingertips
MatWeb is an extensive online database offering detailed technical specifications for thousands of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. It allows designers and engineers to quickly access material properties, aiding in the selection of the right material for any project, while promoting better decision-making based on performance characteristics.

Best For: Engineers and product designers looking for detailed material data for informed decision-making.

8. Modern Meadow

Lab-Grown Leather for the Future
Modern Meadow’s bio-fabricated leather alternative, Zoa, offers the look and feel of leather without the environmental impact of traditional animal products. This lab-grown material is customizable, durable, and eco-friendly.

Best For: Fashion, accessories, and upholstery design.

9. Colorifix

Revolutionizing Dyeing with Biology
Colorifix uses microorganisms to produce sustainable dyes, eliminating the harmful chemicals and water-intensive processes of traditional textile dyeing. The vibrant, biodegradable colors are perfect for forward-thinking designers.

Best For: Textile and fashion design with an eco-conscious edge.

Colorfix sustainable dyes from nature
Colorfix creates sustainable dyes from plants, insects, microbes, and more.

10. Material District

Inspiring Design Through Material Innovation
Material District is a comprehensive platform showcasing thousands of cutting-edge material samples and trends across industries like architecture, fashion, and product design. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, it serves as a go-to resource for discovering new possibilities and gaining insights into the latest material advancements.

Best For: Designers seeking inspiration and up-to-date material trends across multiple industries.

Time to Investigate

Materials bridge the gap between ideas and reality, offering designers the tools to innovate, reduce waste, and craft meaningful products. These resources are ten of our favorites, and there are many more. With access to groundbreaking materials and resources, designers have the power to redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re creating a collection, prototyping a product, or building structures, these material resources will inspire and support your journey toward innovation and sustainability.

Check out the rest of our Insight series to learn more about the design industry. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for design news, multi-media recommendations, and to learn more about product design and development!

The Dual Identity: Navigating the Roles of Artist and Designer

The Dual Identity: Navigating the Roles of Artist and Designer

The line between artist and designer often blurs, marrying two distinct yet complementary identities in the creative world. Both roles thrive on innovation, imagination, and a deep understanding of the human experience. That said, their purposes, approaches, and impacts often differ. This duality presents a fascinating interplay of challenges and opportunities for those who navigate both worlds, raising an important question: how can the distinct roles of artist and designer complement one another to create meaningful work? Here at Interwoven, we are especially interested in how the identity and approach of the artist can enhance our work as designers. In this Insight article we outline the key aspects of the artist and the designer, noting where they align and where they converge, and discuss the challenges and benefits of a dual identity.

Understanding the Core Roles

To appreciate the dual identity, it’s important to explore the foundations of these roles and how they differ in intent and execution.

The Artist: A Voice of Expression

Artists are creators of culture, crafting works that communicate ideas, emotions, and critiques of society. Their work stems from a deep well of personal expression and exploration, often unbound by external limitations. Artists revel in ambiguity and invite their audiences to interpret their creations freely. A painting, sculpture, or installation may not serve a direct functional purpose, but its power lies in its ability to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and inspire dialogue.

artist paints mural

Think of artists like Frida Kahlo, whose paintings delve into personal pain and identity, or Jean-Michel Basquiat, who used his art to challenge racial and social inequities. Their work is timeless, not because it solves a problem, but because it captures the human experience and prompts an emotional response from the viewer.

The Designer: A Problem Solver

Designers, in contrast, take a more structured approach to creativity, aiming to solve specific problems or improve an experience. Their work must meet functional, aesthetic, and practical requirements, often operating within constraints like budgets, material limitations, deadlines, and client specifications.

Designers create for utility and accessibility, ensuring their products or solutions align with the needs of the audience. The work of Dieter Rams, with his “less, but better” philosophy, exemplifies this ethos. Every curve, button, and material choice in his designs is intentional, aimed at enhancing usability and delighting the user.

Points of Intersection

Despite these differences, artists and designers share several key similarities that can serve as bridges between their practices, or as common territory for those artist designers who wear both hats and live in both worlds.

1. Creativity as a Core Driver

At the heart of both roles lies a deep well of creativity. Whether an artist is sketching a concept for a mural or a designer is iterating on a prototype, both rely on imagination and out-of-the-box thinking to bring their visions to life. They are both admired for their ability to think differently, to see what has previously been overlooked, and to present the familiar in a way that makes it feel new.

2. Mastery of Tools and Mediums

Artists and designers often share tools and techniques, though their applications differ. Both might work with digital software, physical materials, or even artificial intelligence to explore their ideas. The difference lies in intent: while an artist might use 3D modeling software to sculpt a conceptual piece and the intent to make a political statement, a designer might use the same software to perfect the ergonomics of a new chair to meet the needs of a niche user group.

3. A Deep Understanding of Human Experience

Both artists and designers connect with people, albeit in different ways. Artists aim to provoke emotion, spark curiosity, or challenge perceptions, while designers focus on improving daily lives through functional and user-friendly creations. In either case, the human experience is central to their work, and deep empathy and insight are core skills.

Contrasting Mindsets

The differences between artists and designers are often most evident in how they approach their work and the mindset they bring to their practice:

1. Purpose vs. Process

For artists, the process of creation can be as meaningful as the final product, or even more so. Many artists begin their work without a predefined goal, letting their intuition and emotions guide the journey. Designers, however, are inherently purpose-driven, working toward a clear objective: solving a problem, fulfilling a need, or meeting a client’s expectations. This objective is typically approached with a consistent process, pre-defined and used, at least to some degree, across challenges. 

2. Constraints as Catalysts

Constraints play very different roles in these disciplines. Designers thrive on limitations—time, budget, materials—which often inspire innovative solutions. Artists, in contrast, may set their own constraints, such as working within a particular medium or theme, but they often enjoy greater creative freedom.

3. Audience and Feedback

The relationship with the audience also differs significantly. Artists typically create with a broad, undefined audience in mind, inviting subjective interpretation. Artists are also free to create with a single, specific audience in mind, a pitfall for designers. Designers cater to a specific user base, relying on research and feedback to refine their work and ensure it meets practical needs.

The Power of Synergy

The intersection of art and design offers rich opportunities for innovation and expression. By blending the two disciplines, creatives can elevate their work, creating pieces that are both functional and emotionally resonant.

Zaha Hadid’s architectural masterpieces stand as a prime example of art and design coexisting harmoniously. Her structures are not just functional spaces but also sculptural works of art that transform urban landscapes. Similarly, Virgil Abloh’s approach to fashion blurred the line between streetwear and high art, using Off-White as a platform for cultural commentary and design innovation. In product design, companies like Apple have embraced this duality. The sleek, minimalist aesthetics of their products reflect artistic sensibilities, while their intuitive functionality speaks to rigorous design principles.

Artists who adopt design thinking bring intentionality and structure to their work. For example, when an artist creates a public mural, they may consider the surrounding environment, community needs, and the logistics of scale—elements rooted in design thinking.

Designers who embrace an artist’s mindset can imbue their work with deeper meaning and originality. By allowing room for experimentation and intuition, they push the boundaries of conventional design, creating products and experiences that resonate emotionally.

The Challenges of Duality

Balancing the roles of artist and designer comes with a unique set of challenges. The freedom and introspection of artistic expression can often feel at odds with the structured, outcome-driven nature of design. Artists may feel constrained by the demands of functionality, client needs, or market trends, while designers might struggle to embrace the unstructured, exploratory process that defines art. This tension can lead to creative friction, where satisfying both the emotional depth of art and the practicality of design becomes a difficult balancing act.

Another challenge lies in audience perception and reception. The open-ended, interpretive nature of art might conflict with the clarity and direct usability that design often requires. A creative work that tries to blend both may risk alienating audiences—being too abstract for functional purposes yet too utilitarian to evoke profound emotional impact.

The duality can also create internal conflict for creatives who wear both hats. Switching between the roles of artist and designer requires significant mental flexibility. An artist may need to step away from personal expression to meet a design brief, while a designer must sometimes abandon the comfort of structure to embrace uncertainty. Navigating this mental shift can be draining, particularly when projects demand the coexistence of both mindsets simultaneously.

Collaborations can add another layer of complexity. When artists and designers work together, differing priorities and communication styles can lead to misunderstandings. Artists may prioritize originality and autonomy, while designers may focus on functionality and user feedback, potentially leading to compromises that feel unsatisfactory to both parties.

Finally, external pressures, such as commercial viability or societal expectations, can exacerbate these challenges. The art world values risk-taking and personal authenticity, while the design industry often prioritizes scalability and consistency. Striking a balance between these external demands can stretch creatives thin, requiring them to manage not only their dual identities but also the expectations of their audiences and stakeholders.

The Benefits of Duality

Embracing the duality of being both an artist and a designer opens up a world of creative possibilities and offers a unique edge in the creative industries. This fusion enables individuals to approach their work with a balance of emotional depth and practical problem-solving, combining the imaginative freedom of art with the structured logic of design. By blending these perspectives, creatives can produce work that is not only visually compelling but also highly functional, creating solutions that resonate on both aesthetic and practical levels.

This duality encourages innovation by allowing for a broader exploration of ideas. Designers can push the boundaries of convention by borrowing an artist’s willingness to experiment with form, texture, and abstraction. Meanwhile, artists who embrace design thinking can make their work more accessible and relevant by considering usability, audience needs, and real-world applications. This synergy often leads to the creation of groundbreaking work that bridges the gap between personal expression and universal appeal.

Another significant benefit of duality is the ability to foster emotional engagement in practical contexts. A designer who thinks like an artist can infuse their work with narrative and meaning, elevating a product or space beyond mere functionality. Whether it’s a beautifully designed object that tells a story or an interactive experience that evokes an emotional response, the combination of artistic storytelling and design utility creates a powerful connection with users.

Duality also cultivates versatility, allowing creatives to navigate diverse types of projects and roles. From designing user-centered products to crafting emotionally resonant campaigns, the ability to shift seamlessly between these identities makes individuals more adaptable in a rapidly evolving creative landscape. It also enables collaboration across disciplines, as dual practitioners can serve as bridges between artistic and design-focused teams, fostering richer, more integrated projects.

Finally, duality nurtures a deeper personal fulfillment in creative practice. By incorporating both the introspective, expressive aspects of art and the purpose-driven, problem-solving nature of design, individuals can experience the satisfaction of creating work that is both deeply meaningful and broadly impactful. This holistic approach allows for the cultivation of a dynamic, multidimensional creative voice that stands out in today’s saturated market.

What Designers Can Learn from Artists

Designers can greatly enhance their work by adopting certain practices from the world of art. One of the most valuable lessons is the power of embracing ambiguity and intuition. Artists often dive into the creative process without a clear end goal, allowing their instincts and emotions to guide them. This openness can help designers break free from rigid constraints and explore unconventional solutions. Additionally, artists prioritize storytelling and personal expression, which can inspire designers to infuse their projects with deeper meaning and narrative. By viewing their designs as not just functional objects but also as opportunities for emotional connection, designers can create work that resonates on a human level. Exploring abstraction, experimenting with mediums, and challenging traditional norms—hallmarks of artistic practice—can lead to innovative breakthroughs in design.

Conclusion

Navigating the dual identity of artist and designer is both a challenge and an opportunity. By embracing the strengths of each role, creatives can unlock new dimensions in their work, enriching their practice and leaving a lasting impact.

In this convergence lies a powerful truth: art and design are not opposites but companions, offering unique lenses through which to view and shape the world. Whether through a masterpiece that moves hearts or a design that changes lives, the synergy of these roles continues to drive humanity forward—proof that when art and design meet, magic happens.

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Innovation and Expression: Why Designers Love Chairs So Much

Innovation and Expression: Why Designers Love Chairs So Much

Few objects in the world of design hold the allure and fascination of the chair. It’s a product that has been reimagined countless times by designers across generations and yet, designers never seem to get tired of it. No matter how many chairs get designed, designers return to the challenge of the chair again and again. As a design challenge, the chair has the capacity to blend art, technology, and human-centered functionality into a single, everyday object. This Insight article explores why designers love chairs so much, outlining how the chair is a prime platform for innovation in materials and technology as well as a vehicle for personal expression, with a rich tradition of modeling new design ideas.

Eames 1946 LCW chair
The 1946 LCW Chair by Ray and Charles Eames.

A Tradition of Innovation

Chairs aren’t just practical objects; they are design icons that have continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. The molded plywood chairs by Ray and Charles Eames were proof-of-concept products that demonstrated the incalculable value of the plywood molding technology, which added strength and versatility to the previously overlooked material. In 1859, Michael Thonet revolutionized production with his Era chairs, the first chairs made of solid bent wood, a modular design that was efficient to produce and populated cafes all over Vienna, and then all over the world. Chairs have often led the way in material and manufacturing innovation, and served as a vehicle for showcasing a fresh approach to an existing material, or a pioneering approach to a novel material.

These iconic innovative designs set the stage for generations of designers to follow, challenging them to rethink both the form and function of the chair. It’s no surprise that many of the world’s most iconic designs are chairs, which have not only defined the spaces they inhabit but have also shaped broader design movements. There is a long design tradition of the chair leading the pack, serving as the ideal model for a new aesthetic or manufacturing technique.

1859 Thonet Era Chair
The 1859 Era Chair by Michael Thonet.

Balancing Form, Function, and Innovation

Designing a chair is about more than aesthetics; it’s about problem-solving. A chair must be comfortable, structurally sound, and versatile enough to serve different purposes and users. At the same time, provided it will hold a person, and perhaps even this is not required for some concept chairs, the parameters are wide open. This combination of complexity and fluidity makes it a perfect canvas for innovation and play. Chairs are a unique product that interacts directly with the human body, requiring a precise blend of form and function. Achieving this balance is a designer’s ultimate challenge, but it’s also a key driver of design breakthroughs. Chairs force designers to think critically about ergonomics, proportions, and engineering, all while maintaining artistic vision and preserving artistic freedom.

Pioneering New Materials

One of the most exciting aspects of chair design is the opportunity to experiment with new materials. Over the years, designers have worked with everything from bent wood (Thonet) and tubular steel to cutting-edge composites, plastic polymers, and even recycled materials.

Marcel Breuer’s 1925 Wassily chair was the first bent tubular steel chair design and remains a classic, highly popular today. It breaks a classic club chair down to the absolute essential form and the modular design can be seamlessly assembled on an industrial scale.

Philippe Starck’s injection-molded Louis Ghost Chair was one of the first to show how polycarbonate could be used to create transparent, durable, and lightweight furniture, changing the way designers think about both materiality and sustainability. Like Breuer, he was playing on a traditional chair design that everyone would recognize, the ornate 18th century chairs of King Louis XVI. New materials like carbon fiber and bio-based plastics have also paved the way for more sustainable and lightweight chair designs, addressing environmental concerns while pushing aesthetic boundaries.

1925 Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer
The 1925 Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer.

Technological Innovation in Chair Design

Technological advancements are also transforming the way chairs are designed and produced. CNC cutting, 3D printing, and robotic manufacturing have enabled designers to explore previously unimaginable forms. These technologies reduce waste and allow for more precise, customized designs.

The Master’s Chair by Philippe Starck, for example, uses injection-molding technology to fuse together the outlines of three iconic chairs into a single, seamless piece, paying homage to three masterful designs: Arne Jacobsen’s “Serie 7” chair, Eero Saarinen’s “Tulip Armchair” and Charles Eames’ “Eiffel Chair”. Similarly, the elegantly molded Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia exemplifies how industrial manufacturing techniques can be applied to create intricate, sculptural forms.

1952 Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia
The 1952 Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia.

Chairs as Personal Narratives

Chairs are much more than objects of utility. They are reflections of the designers who create them, often embodying their personal stories, values, and design ethos. For many designers, creating a chair is akin to writing a personal narrative.

The iconic Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen, for instance, was not just a modernist response to form and function. It also reflected Jacobsen’s desire to create a sense of comfort and enclosure in an increasingly fast-paced world. It was designed for the reception areas of the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958, created to provide a sense of privacy in public spaces. Each curve and contour (or the absolute absence of curves and contours!) of a chair tells a story about the designer’s worldview and creative journey. Chairs are not only functional solutions, they are the cumulation of hundreds of aesthetic decisions made by the designer, and walk the line between art and design.

For designers, a chair is a blank canvas, ready to be filled with their unique artistic voice. The simplicity of its form offers endless possibilities for experimentation. Whether it’s playing with organic shapes, bold colors, or unconventional materials, chair design allows for unfiltered creative expression. In the case of the Wiggle Chair by Frank Gehry, the use of layered cardboard wasn’t just a material choice—it was a statement about impermanence, sustainability, and the rejection of traditional materials. The chair’s playful, fluid form echoed Gehry’s architectural style, bridging the gap between furniture and art.

1972 Wiggle Chair by Frank Gehry
The 1972 Wiggle Chair by Frank Gehry.

Small Object, Big Impact

So why do designers love chairs? Despite their compact size, chairs often act as catalysts for larger design trends. They allow designers to experiment with new ideas on a manageable scale. Success in chair design can reverberate across the design world, influencing everything from architecture to product design. We suspect that chairs will always be a designer’s dream object. They invite endless opportunities for innovation. Whether it’s through new materials, manufacturing techniques, or technological advancements, the humble chair has repeatedly redefined the possibilities of design. And as technology continues to evolve, so too will the chair—pushing the boundaries of what we think is possible in design, all while remaining a functional part of everyday life.

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Design History Series N. 020

Eileen Gray and the Bibendum Chair

In our Design History Series we highlight iconic women in design history and their innovative work. The historic contributions of women to design are many, and we aim to increase the awareness of these contributions in order to counteract a general trend of underrepresentation. In this issue we celebrate Eileen Gray, an Irish designer and architect who transformed the principles of modern design.

Eileen Gray Bibendum Chair

Interior Decadence

Eileen Gray, born in Ireland in 1878, was a pioneering figure in modern design. She studied fine art before undertaking an apprenticeship in a London lacquer workshop. Gray moved to Paris and swiftly established herself as a leading designer of lacquered screens and decorative panels. Her interior design style was modern and decadent, featuring luxurious, theatrical touches and unexpected materials. Gray exhibited chrome, steel tube, and glass furniture in 1925, well ahead of her design contemporaries Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer. 

At 46 Gray took up architecture, where her style embodied avant-garde modernism, departing from the rigid rationality of architectural contemporaries like Le Corbusier. Gray’s approach to modernism prioritized lived experiences, featuring personal, bespoke touches that spoke directly to the needs of the client. Like Charlotte Perriand, she felt that architecture and furnishings should be developed in tandem to create a harmonious home.

Eileen Gray portrait

Totally Tubular

One of her iconic creations is the Bibendum Chair, a timeless classic from the 1920s. Designed specifically for lounging and socializing, the Bibendum Chair features a distinctive back and armrests composed of two semi-circular, padded tubes encased in black leather. The name “Bibendum” was inspired by the Michelin Man, a character of stacked tires created by French artist Marius Rossillon. The chair was commissioned by French hat designer Madame Mathieu Lévy, for whom Gray redesigned an apartment in Paris. The Bibendum Chair, along with other furnishings, rugs, and lamps, became a highlight of the project.

Constructed with a polished, chromium-plated stainless steel tube frame—a groundbreaking material at the time—the Bibendum Chair was unusually large. The frame featured beechwood and rubber webbing for added comfort. Gray intentionally opted for plain coverings to maintain a simple aesthetic, complementing the bold art that shared the space. The success of the design instilled confidence in Gray, prompting her to open her own gallery in 1922.  The Bibendum Chair would go on to be featured in a number of Gray’s interior projects.

The Bibendum Chair marked a departure from Gray’s earlier traditional work, aligning with the modernist movement. The Bibendum Chair continues to be celebrated as a design classic though, during Gray’s lifetime, her success was modest. Her legacy was overshadowed by Le Corbusier, who famously painted murals in the nude all over E-1027, a brilliant house designed by Gray with which he was obsessed and which was often misattributed to him (and in front of which he drowned). Only in her nineties did Gray receive international acclaim for her contributions to architecture and design. She passed away in Paris in 1976, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and timeless design.

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