Her Captain's Chair
This project is a redesign of a traditional Captain’s chair, which is a style of Windsor chair. The Captain’s chair was originally used to keep the captains of ships awake and alert but also comfortable for long periods of time whilst on shift. Being a woman, I have always been conscious of women’s positions in the design industry. I took the original captain’s chair and redesigned it from a woman’s perspective. This chair is designed for and addresses the lack of women in higher level positions. It is a UK grown solid ash chair with a steam bent double bow design, a carved seat, hand turned legs and spindles and a crinoline stretcher.
I researched postures specific to women, as well as postures that encourage confidence and creativity to influence my design. The
carved seat and the height of the back of the chair meeting the middle of the back allows a user to lean into the back or sit up
straight comfortably.
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I also spoke to various women who occupy positions of authority in industry to get a detailed insight into what makes them feel
confident and how they like their environment to be for them to perform to their highest capability.
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This project took a masculine chair concept and designed it for women, by a woman.
