Contest Details

The focus of the competition is the lounge chair or similar casual seating—simple objects to assist the body in repose. Commercial office chairs and other specialized functions are not appropriate, but otherwise you have as much latitude as you can explain and illustrate in a convincing way. Outdoor and public furniture are especially encouraged. Entries are restricted to original concepts that have not been built. Commercially sold products are prohibited.

In addition to the special criteria of the “Fit Right Here” challenge, entries should demonstrate the three basic principles of “One Good Chair”:

Make good (Material conservation). How can shape optimize resources in design, fabrication, and shipping? What forms create little waste but lots of taste?
Feel good (Physical comfort). How can shape aid the body in the act of sitting? How do different people sit? How might they?
Look good (Emotional resonance). What kinds of images create emotional bond between viewer and product? What is the intersection of sustainability and sensuality?

Prizes

Cash awards to be announced.

Prototypes of the finalist entries will be built, pending sponsorship. Details to be announced.

Winners and finalists will be published in a variety of media outlets to be announced.

Select entries may be featured in Lance Hosey’s forthcoming book, The Shape of Green: Aesthetics, Ecology, and Design

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Registration. The registration fee is $50 US, payable by PayPal. All registrations and fees are due by May 30, 2009. Late registration is acceptable before June 15, 2009, for an additional $25 (total of $75).

Submissions. Submit all entries on-line between May 1 and June 30. All entries are to remain anonymous. Any submissions that include names or affiliations on any documents except the entry form may be disqualified.*

Images. Digital renderings or photographs should be clear, clean, and high-quality. Appearances count! A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) images (renderings, photographs, and/or diagrams). Explanatory diagrams or images are encouraged. Required is at least one image illustrating a human body in the chair (diagram of a side elevation is preferable) and at least one image illustrating the chair in the context of the place for which it is designed (concept image or perspective rendering). Digital images should be in JPEG format and less than 2 MB in size.

Narrative brief. A clear, concise explanation of the design that intelligently addresses the key criteria and answers all the relevant questions in the call for entries. Outline convincingly how your design “fits” its cultural, social, and natural context. You are encouraged to give a unique name to your design. Max. 200 words total.

Questions. Submit all questions by June 15 using the OGC Contact Form

PROCESS

Dates and details subject to change. More information to be announced.

Phase 1

Concepts

Phase 1 will consist of digital concepts submitted on line.

Judges will select up to 10 runners-up to receive recognition, including or in addition to approximately 5 finalists to continue to Phase 2.

Phase 2

Finals

Prototypes built (pending sponsorship). Details to be announced.

Finalists will travel to Las Vegas (expenses covered), where the prototypes will be judged in person by a finalist jury to be determined.

The awards ceremony will take place at the annual Las Vegas Market at the World Market Center, September 14–17. (Carbon offset purchases will compensate for competitors’ travel.)

SCHEDULE