# Legless Furniture The Empathy Table by Jennifer Crupi Rests on People's Laps By Meghan Young | Published 2013-01-29 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/empathy-table References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2013/01/29/Empathy-Table/) & [jennifercrupi](http://jennifercrupi.com/work-table1a.html) The Empathy Table breeds understanding between two individuals. It does so through its unusual design. A legless piece of furniture, the Empathy Table is purported to rest on the laps of the sitters, forcing them to sit in identical positions. As written by the mastermind behind it, "In this work, I seek to point out how one can show agreement with another by assuming the same posture." Designed by Jennifer Crupi, an Associate Professor at Kean University, Union, New Jersey, the Empathy Table could be construed as quirky, but really it is a thoughtful creation that simply has an eccentric look. Essentially, the bottom of the table has been carved to encourage a comfortable cross-legged position while the surface remains stable so long as their arms rest on top of it. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - 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's Driving This Trend - **Legless Furniture:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the furniture industry by reimagining traditional furniture designs and incorporating innovative and ergonomic elements. - **Empathy Table:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the design and hospitality industry by creating furniture that fosters empathy and connection through thoughtful and unconventional design. - **Identical Positions:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the healthcare industry by developing furniture that promotes better posture and ergonomic support for individuals with physical limitations. ### Who This Affects Most - **Furniture Industry:** Disruptive innovation opportunities in the furniture industry to create unique and functional pieces that challenge traditional design principles. - **Design Industry:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the design industry by incorporating unconventional and empathetic design elements into products and spaces. - **Hospitality Industry:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the hospitality industry by incorporating furniture designs that enhance guest experiences and foster connections among individuals. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cross-Legged Wide Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lap-chair.md) - [Puzzling Removable Tray Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conceptual-puzzle-table.md) - [Interlocking Puzzle-Like Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/connect-table.md) - [Wall-Mounted Two-Legged Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/instable-side-table.md) - [Curvaceous Abstract Side Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pet-table.md) - [Dynamic Sculptural Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-transformation-table.md) - [Fabric-Like Side Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tablecloth-side-table.md) - [Industrial Shapeshifting Table Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jointable.md) - [Legless Floor Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-bold-chair.md)