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With an architectural background, as a design practitioner and academician at the Department of Art, Design, and Media (DADM) of the School of Arts at Sunway University, I am passionate about exploring Malaysian-folk aesthetics through a modern and vibrant design lens. This article will delve into the process of developing design thinking through the expression of furniture design, using the Orked chair as a case study.

In our rapidly changing design landscape, the distinctions between utilitarian and design-centric spaces have blurred. This exciting shift provides us with opportunities to create human-centric and multifunctional pieces of furniture, that are aesthetically pleasing. The Orked chair, an addition to my design portfolio, is more than just a piece of furniture; it's a testament to the power of design thinking and the importance of craft in bringing ideas to life. Named after the Malay word for orchid flower, a symbol of elegance and grace, Orked embodies a fusion of Malaysian folk aesthetics and contemporary design. Its sleek, minimalist form is juxtaposed with vibrant colours and materials, creating a visually striking and functional piece.

The chair's design journey began in 2019, evolving through several iterations to reach its final form. Inspired by traditional rattan chair structures, I opted for a powder-coated steel frame with strength and flexibility. The backrest, a nod to French bistro chair design, was handwoven by a local rattan artisan established in 1968, adding a touch of artisanal craftsmanship to the final product. With our Southeast Asian tropical roots, this collaboration strives to find new ways to unite our heritage with a fresh vision for modern living, reimagining modern values to bring irresistible new ideas to people and spaces. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, design is more than just an idea; it's a vision, a hope, and a journey. To transform this vision into reality requires a collaborative effort between the designer and skilled craftspeople. It's the physical realisation, the meticulous attention to detail, and the expertise of those involved that bring a design to life.  

Creating a strong design thinking process and developing a compelling design narrative involves several key steps. First, empathise with your target audience by conducting research, interviews, and observations to understand their needs and desires. Once you have a deep understanding of your users, define the problem you are trying to solve and the goals you want to achieve. Next, ideate by generating a wide range of creative solutions and exploring different possibilities. Use techniques like brainstorming, mind mapping, and sketching to encourage divergent thinking.

After generating ideas, prototype your designs to test their feasibility, functionality, and appeal. Create physical or digital models to visualise your concepts and gather feedback from users. Finally, test your prototypes to gather insights and identify areas for improvement. Iterate your designs based on the feedback you receive, refining your ideas until you have a final product that meets your users' needs and tells a compelling story. By following these steps, you can develop a strong design thinking process and create furniture that is not only functional but also emotionally resonant and meaningful.

In the context of students who are pursuing design courses, I believe that design thinking and design narrative are essential tools for creating meaningful and impactful design projects. Design thinking, with its emphasis on empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing, allows us to understand the needs and desires of our target audience and develop solutions that truly resonate with them. By immersing ourselves in the user's perspective, we can create furniture that is not only functional but also emotionally resonant.

Furthermore, design narrative provides a powerful framework for storytelling through design. By imbuing our furniture with a compelling narrative, we can connect with users on a deeper level and create pieces that evoke emotions, memories, and experiences. Whether it's a story about sustainability, cultural heritage, or personal journeys, a well-crafted narrative can elevate a piece of furniture from being merely an object to a symbol or cultural artefact. 

Arief Afandi
School of Arts
Email: @email

This article has been adapted from the original story ‘Take A Seat: Chairs by Young Designers’ found in the Architecture Malaysia Magazine Issue 36.2, a publication by the Malaysian Institute of Architects/ Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia.