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Seychelle Outdoor Folding Sofa by Maurice Lacy |
Home > Winners > Design #77972 >Interview |
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FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
ML: Convenience, quality and style.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
ML: I wanted to bring about an evolutionary step in outdoor furniture.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
ML: To develop the idea further using the latest technology in solar components such as a solar panel as the table top to introduce bluetooth for entertainment, phone charging and remote control opening and closing.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
ML: The design took hundreds of hours starting on a part time basis while working a day time job. I had a my own well equiped workshop and with friend and associate Stephen Marriott we constructed the mechanics and then the first fibreglass plugs. Then submitted fo the first patent.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
ML: I love the challenge of problem solving and trying to look at the problem from a different angle. Stephen Marriott and I financed and developed the Seychelle sofa almost in secret and lodged the patent application once the drawings were complete. We knew it was a first, which was later confirmed when a professional search was complete.The design process was difficult and there were many obstacles to overcome, so I approached each challenge one by one.
FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
ML: By out-sourcing I have managed to manufacture 5 prototypes, a storage coffee table and ottoman in matching style. I’m open to leasing the manufacture rights or becoming a partner in a joint project. I also want to oversee production and continue developing more of my designs while joining other creative thinkers to join me as a team. I want a reputation for designing unique and innovative concepts.
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
ML: I saw the need for a new approach.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
ML: The design was basically my own. There were a few suggestions made by others such as adding a timber look to the bench seat when closed but I then had to make that look right and create the lines and curves. Stephen Marriott helped me to construct each component and gave me the encouragement to pursue the project. .
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
ML: Initially I see this as a high-end product but as time passes and the incorporation of other techniques such as rotational moulding it will move to the middle market.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
ML: The difference between the Seychelle and other outdoor sofas is that this is a complete solution to total weather protection and storage which is functional when closed or open.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
ML: Seychelles are a place that conjures up images of island paradise but of course finding a name that is not already taken is hard to find Seychelle wasn’t taken and has a nice pronunciation. A romantic ring to it and a kind of sophistication.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
ML: I am old school and I like to design on a drawing board by hand from initial sketches. I then sat with a CAD designer to have it put into 3D and AUTO CAD. This also allowed for the engineering stress calculations to be confirmed.
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
ML: I think that a first look at the video and photos are self explanatory. The Seychelle outdoor sofa is a completely new idea.
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
ML: The Seychelle was designed by me and friend Stephen Marriot helped me to bring it to fruition with many hours spent in the workshop, research and support when the going got tough.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
ML: The technology behind overcoming the challenges in the operation mechanism we hard because apart from nuts and bolts, gas struts and springs there was no other off the shelf items. I have the ability to visualise before pulling out the drawing board but even then it required dozens of sketches and technical drawings before being satisfied.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
ML: I have to admit the only research to begin with was seeing a need. I had the idea sitting in the back of my mind for some time, and then one day I was sitting at a 5 star restaurant at a vineyard in the Yarra Valle Australia and watched the staff carrying the luxury sofas outside. A routine practice done on a daily basis, weather permitting. I then realised just one application for developing the idea and from that night I commenced refining the concept.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
ML: The challenges were many. For a start just trying to find a way to pack an entire sofa with 1 action into a container that was not just functional but an aesthetically pleasing and functional bench seat. Next, I knew it had to be able to sit as close as possible to a wall when opened or closed which is why i designed the outer shell and mechanism so that it would rotate around itself at the back, lifting the internal sofa up and forward as it opened. In other words expanding forward and not backwards.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
ML: Through internet research.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
ML: I learnt to be patient and not to listen to dream thieves. My advice to anyone out there who wishes to pursue a dream is, don’t give up on yourself. There are all kinds of people out their and I have met some of the best. There are also the knockers and those who will try to get a free ride on your coat tails with little effort. Just stick to the dream and prepare to weather the storm (no pun intended) the sun will always shine again
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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