Day 3: Chairs (+ user stories)
We begin with a brainstorming warm-up: “This is not an embroidery hoop, this is a…” Basketball hoop. Racetrack for ants. Window to a parallel universe. Steering wheel. Bracelet for a giant. Etc etc.
In addition to warming up our brainstorming muscles, an exercise like this is a great intro to prototyping: we can use simple materials that move at the speed of thought — paper, clay, wire — to simulate/test out an idea and learn from it.
On the Way to School

Putting our new observation skills to use, we follow Samuel and his brothers on their way to school in Bay of Bengal, India through an excerpt from the documentary “On the Way to School” by Pascal Plisson.
Before school, Samuel and his brothers tell stories, eat breakfast and play with each other. When it’s time to begin the 1 hour trek to school, Samuel’s brothers lift him into his wheelchair and Gabriel (the youngest) pushes from behind while Emmanuel (the oldest) pulls the wheelchair forward. Over the course of their journey, we notice their different personalities and struggles.
- Emmanuel is the oldest and most serious. He feels responsible for taking care of his brothers and getting them to school.
- Samuel is the middle brother and wants to do well in school so he can become a doctor. He gets frustrated when his brothers argue.
- Gabriel is the youngest and most playful. He doesn’t care much for school but is very sweet to Samuel and makes him laugh.
From our observations, we create user stories from each brother’s point of view. A user story describes what a person needs and why. From these user stories, we brainstorm how we might design a wheelchair that meets all three of their needs.
Gallery Visit: Unseated

Design/prototype a chair that…
- fights boredom
- helps you relax
- is perfect for zombie barbie

Prototype a comfortable, useable chair…
- using only cardboard, fabric, and bubble wrap

See all photos in Chair Challenge

