How is this portrait in a chair for an example of personalized design? Its creator, Gabriel Särkijärvi, worked to bring customization and identity to furniture in a way that is seldom done. Using a photograph of himself for reference, the designer built a subtle but mesmerizing image into the rear slats of the backrest. This should suffice to keep others from sitting in his spot.
After digitizing the selfie, the artist meticulously created MDF-board templates that enabled him to cut the birch wood of the spindles with just the right slight contours. The result would have to be discernible as a face, but not overly obvious. The complete Illusion Chair stares straight out at the potential sitter, communicating and serving as a contemporary artefact.
Illusory Selfie Seating
Designer Puts His Portrait in a Chair Back for a Truly Personalized Piece
Trend Themes
1. Personalized Furniture Design - New trend for customized furniture that incorporates personal images and identity. Disruptive innovation opportunities in furniture manufacturing and design.
2. Subtle but Mesmerizing Imagery - Trend for subtly incorporating intricate imagery into design, creating a mesmerizing effect. Disruptive innovation opportunities in product design and graphic art.
3. Contemporary Artefacts - Trend for creating design pieces that serve as contemporary artefacts, merging art and function. Disruptive innovation opportunities in the art and decor industry.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Manufacturing - The furniture manufacturing industry has an opportunity to leverage the trend of personalized furniture design to cater to the growing demand for customized furniture.
2. Product Design - Product design industry has an opportunity to disrupt the market by incorporating subtle but mesmerizing imagery into product design.
3. Art and Decor - The art and decor industry has an opportunity to producing more contemporary artefacts, fuelling the growing interest in merging art and function in design.