The Flip Chair was created by Seoul-based GANG Studio as a 2026 artisanal furniture project by designer Kikang Kim. Inspired by saekjongi, Korea's traditional double-sided colored paper, the chair uses metal sheets finished with contrasting colors on each side. As the viewing angle changes, the visible color shifts, giving the piece two distinct appearances without altering its form. The concept encourages viewers to experience the chair from multiple perspectives rather than a single front-facing view.
The handcrafted chair reflects GANG Studio's focus on incorporating storytelling into functional objects. Its dual-colored metal construction emphasizes visual contrast while maintaining a simple silhouette that highlights the changing surfaces. Instead of being developed for large-scale production, the project was created as an artisanal furniture piece that places value on material selection and craftsmanship.
Image Credit: GANG Studio
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Perspective-responsive Design
- Angle-dependent color shifts create furniture experiences that change with movement, opening space for interiors where static objects deliver dynamic visual engagement.
- Story-led Craftsmanship
- Cultural references embedded in functional products elevate everyday seating into collectible design, suggesting premium markets for objects with provenance and narrative depth.
- Dual-tone Metal Finishes
- Contrasting surface treatments on single material forms introduce a low-tech alternative to digital customization, supporting distinctive visual variation without mechanical complexity.
Where This Applies
- Furniture Design
- Artisanal seating with shifting appearances expands the category beyond utility, creating differentiation for limited-edition pieces that merge sculpture, function, and sensory interaction.
- Interior Design
- Perspective-based furnishings offer spaces a more fluid visual identity, giving hospitality, retail, and residential environments memorable focal points without requiring spatial reconfiguration.
- Metal Fabrication
- Hand-finished colored metal applications point to new value-added uses for sheet metal, positioning fabrication expertise as a creative driver in collectible and architectural products.
