# X-Shaped Seating The Chair ProType by Jonathan Dorthe is Simple and Sturdy By Meghan Young | Published 2013-01-16 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chair-protype-by-jonathan-dorthe References: [plusmood](http://plusmood.com/2013/01/first-chair-jonathan-dorthe) & [cargocollective](http://cargocollective.com/atelier-d/Chaise-Protype) The Chair ProType by Jonathan Dorthe, an industrial designer based in Canada and founder of Atelier-D, is sleek and simple. Although it may look like a standard seat at first glance, upon closer inspection it becomes evident that it sports some [unique details that set it apart](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atypical-chair) from its brothers and sisters. For instance, the legs of the Chair ProType by Jonathan Dorthe interlock into an X shape that provides a much more sturdy base to sit on. In regards to a construction standpoint, it was created using tools Dorthe readily had available in his workshop. He writes, "All the pieces are cut from a [flat sheet of Russian plywood](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sedia-tonda), and then assembled using traditional joinery techniques. [...]The end result of this exercise is a singular and [minimalist first chair](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bishop-chair)." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 17% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Minimalist Furniture Design:** The Chair ProType showcases a minimalist design aesthetic, presenting an opportunity for furniture companies to create simple and sleek pieces. - **Innovative Joinery Techniques:** The use of traditional joinery techniques in the Chair ProType presents an opportunity for woodworking and furniture manufacturing industries to explore new ways of creating sturdy and functional furniture. - **Interlocking Base Structures:** The X-shaped interlocking legs of the Chair ProType present an opportunity for furniture designers to experiment with alternative methods of creating stable and unique seating solutions. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Furniture Manufacturing:** The Chair ProType's unique design elements offer an opportunity for furniture manufacturers to create innovative and eye-catching seating solutions. - **Woodworking:** The Chair ProType's use of traditional joinery techniques presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for woodworking businesses to incorporate these techniques into their furniture production process. - **Industrial Design:** The minimalist and sleek design of the Chair ProType provides an opportunity for industrial designers to explore minimalist aesthetics in their furniture creations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Strong Geometric Steel Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zerothickness-chair.md) - [Durable Designer Outdoor Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breeo-x-series-chair.md) - [Plywood Sculptural Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mt-chair.md) - [Chic Single-Piece Plywood Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/void-lounge-chair.md) - [Simplistically Shaped Geometric Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sitter-chair.md) - [Flatpack Single-Piece Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leaning-chair-set.md) - [Interlocking Wooden Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tie-stool.md) - [Sleek Steel Structural Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/combchair.md) - [Single Material Minimal Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xxx.md)