Practicing mindfulness…
through ergonomics.
Senior Thesis: Suki Meditation Stool
For my senior thesis project, I drew inspiration from activities I used to do with my dad, particularly our meditation sessions. He always struggled to sit in the seiza position due to his age and knee issues, despite its many benefits. This stool is designed for comfort, enabling easier seiza sitting. It's a personal homage to family and the importance of designing for the people you love.
2024
Learnings
Time Management
Potential of Wood Materials
User-Centered Design
Balance of Form and Function
Overview
This height-adjustable meditation stool is designed to assist older individuals with limited knee mobility in comfortably sitting on the floor, enabling them to experience the benefits of the seiza position. Its Japandi-inspired form helps it blend into any environment, serving as a stylish and functional piece.
Research
Primary and Secondary research was conducted through various interviews and surveys. Benchmarking of other competitors on the market also showed gaps in comfort and customization for the user.
Customers often found themselves in a vicious cycle: physical restrictions forced them to forgo the benefits of sitting in seiza, benefits which the seiza position itself could alleviate. Many attempting this posture without training faced significant challenges described below.
Ideation.
Sketches of stool variations and different weight distributions are explored. The design on the right is the final direction where the legs are on the outside to alleviate hip pain and increase mobility while sitting. Below are potential storage concepts for a compact furniture set incorporating a table, and two stools.
Final Design: High Adjustable Meditation Stool
The final design of the Suki Stool features subtle curves that complement the human form and incorporate the Japandi style. Its height adjustability is achieved through notches and a removable peg, allowing easy adjustments. Crafted from oak and aluminum alloy, the stool's initial prototypes were 3D printed with a metal plating finish. The seat has a gradual incline to improve posture and straighten the spine.
