Sean Yan
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fabrication lounge chair
 April 2025
Measurements: 28” H  x 24” W x 24” L
Materials: Walnut, Recycled Pine, Denim Upholstery, Oil Finish
Softwares:        



Fabrication lounge chair illustrates the masked labor class that holds up and provides comfort to our society. The elegant walnut frame symbolizes the upper class – shiny, bold and grand, while the seat cushion, stitched together by patches of denim, and stretchers, old recycled construction pine, showcases the resilience and toil of the constantly overlooked labor class. The only suitable way for a user to sit on this chair is to rest on the denim cushion, juxtaposing the luxurious walnut wood with the rugged denim material, while the structure stays intact because of the old wooden stretchers, serving as a reminder that our privileged lifestyles are held together and built on the backs of those who barely receive any recognition.









concept development


This project examines society’s dependence on the labor of the working class, whose often unseen efforts support everyday comfort and luxury. The chair is conceived as a literal and symbolic act of resting upon that foundation, highlighting both reliance and disregard. Denim is used for its cultural association with labor and durability, drawing from my ongoing interest in patchwork and material storytelling that started in freshman year.
 


design opportunity

Throughout the process, the project became an exploration of balancing function and expression. Considerations of ergonomics and structural integrity informed the proportions, joinery, and support system to ensure the chair performs as a reliable seating object. At the same time, the patchworked denim introduces a visual narrative, allowing material history and cultural meaning to coexist with practical use. The result is a piece where comfort and stability are not compromised by storytelling, but instead reinforce it—function supporting aesthetic, and aesthetic giving function context.





ideation sketches



The early ideation process revolved around figuring out the form of the frame for the lounge chair as I already had a vision of what the upholdery would look like. The eventual design choices were made after finding a modular frame that didn’t take away attention from the upholstery, combined with good structural integrity.




 3D ideations



Modeling process started on Fusion 360 and eventually rendered on Keyshot. This process allowed me to have a better understanding on the fabrication process and gave this design some life before the physical process.






fabrication 
Lap Joint was hand cut and chiseled for better control and precision, while all other joints were done with the domino jointer. 



Denim upholstery was made with old recycled denim and rubbed with dirt and paint to emphasis the “working class” symbolism of the fabric.




final product