Slank Occasional Chair

• Prize
  Honorable Mention in Furniture Design
• Company/Firm
  George Gibbens
• Designer
  George Gibbens
• Project Date
  2020

The Slank Occasional Chair is derived from the concept of an open-ended labyrinth and appropriates it into an episodical context.

- GG

Design

The continuous loop of the original concept is abandoned and instead, it is divided into independent components to fit alongside the new context of occasional furniture.

The chair is constructed from panels that are spaced apart and tensioned together. Each panel consist of interlocking pieces of oak made using precision manufacturing processes.

The inward curve encourages interconnection and creates a feeling of integration. This slight curve also serves a practical function by making the chair more compatible with the human form.

Concept

The idea was inspired by a unicursal labyrinth, meaning it is open at both ends. This philosophy was applied to create an interactive installation for people to engage with.

It is appropriate in the context of educational institutions due to its ability to stimulate creative thought, facilitate enlightenment, and open up deep insights.

Bio
George Gibbens has been described as a mindful innovator. His work has intersected with many domains from furniture, high-end goods, technology, architecture and manufacturing.

Born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1993, George grew up a farm outside of a small town called Potchefstroom. He studied, worked, and lived in Pretoria and now resides in Cape Town.

In 2017 he finished his honours degree in industrial design and started a job at an architectural firm immediately after. In November 2018 he started his design agency called Undesign and in February would pursue it full-time.

George first

Other prizes
DESIGN INDABA EXHIBITOR February 2020, Cape Town Designed by George Gibbens featuring the Slank and Kolk range. 11TH & 12TH INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS April 2019 Silver Industrial and Life Science Design-Aids/Prosthetics for the sensory enhancing headset. FEATURED IN MEN’S HEALTH SA July 2018 Featured in Men’s Health SA’s ‘Better Man’ editorial piece that focuses on a person who is doing exceptional and innovative things in their community. EMERGING CREATIVE 2018, Cape Town Design Indaba presents the Emerging Creatives Class of 2018 in an exhibition that showcases the talents of our local rising design stars. GLOBAL GRAD SHOW EXHIBITOR 2017, Dubai, UAE Selected to showcase design project at the Global Grad Show as a part of the Dubai Design Week. CAPEGATE PRODUCT DESIGN CHALLENGE 2017 First place prize in the Cape Gate Fence & Wire Works product design challenge for the sheep & goat feeder. GLOBAL GRAD SHOW EXHIBITOR 2016, Dubai, UAE Selected to showcase design project at the Global Grad Show as a part of the Dubai Design Week. COBRA PRODUCT DESIGN COMPETITION 2016 Runner up for designing an automated faucet system for the Cobra Product Design Competition.