A portable folding stool for your modern life

CONCEPT

There are some problems while using folding furniture.

For folding chairs, it can be folded flatly and the seat height is proper, but it’s too long for people to carry, especially those who are short.

For folding stools, although it’s easy to carry and go, the seat height is too short for people to sit comfortably, especially those who are tall.

Is there a seat that can both have a high enough seat height and a small enough folding volume, just like a briefcase?

IDEATION & MOCKUP

After the first concept came out, make small physical mockups to test the feasibility.

The result shows that the rear legs cannot stand stably with the weight of the seat.

For the second concept, adjust the proportion and thickness of legs, add a notch and latch as a hard stop to increase the stability, also being a handle.

MECHANISM

These restricted-angle pivots are designed to increase the bearing strength.

Two teeth on each side would catch into the grooves to make the front and rear legs unfold at the certain angle(45.65 degrees) to stand independently and stably.

Use PLA 3D printing to make the prototype, then use steel 3D printing to build the final precise model.

FULL-SCALE PROTOTYPE

Build the 3D model with Fusion 360, defining the angel to make Attaché be compactest.

The whole stool follows several same angles to have a consistent design language and clean shape both in folding and unfolding type.

Use CNC process on MDF to make the full-scale prototype, testing the accuracy of mechanism and feeling the tangibility.

FINAL MODEL

Materials: Maple/ Steel/ Red Oak

Size: Unfolding- W16.5” D15” H18”

Folding- W16.5” L19.5” H2.5”

Seat- W14” D15” H18”

Use CNC process on maple solid wood, screw on the steel 3D printing pivots, and connect several parts with Domino dowels.

PRESENTATION

PROCESS