FUTURE OF FURNITURE DESIGN?

Alice Rawthorn has written an article called Furniture Designers Are Shifting Focus for the New York Times focusing on the shift in design-thinking and approach to furniture design in the recession. She poses a simple question - "LONDON — There is one question that everyone should sensibly ask before designing or making something to show at the Milan Furniture Fair. Does the world need another chair?" It's a very interesting article and DO we need another chair? My answer is 'Yes' as long the solution is sustainable, functional/practical, commercially viable, innovative, unique and above all, is needed!
If we can tick all these boxes then let's play with the materials, the aesthetics, the emotional message, the products personality and engineer a distinctive new chair that makes a real positive difference!

This is Yokujin Yoshioka's (one designer I love to watch) design for Moroso called the "Memory Chair" made from aluminium which responds to emotional, sustainable, innovative and distinctive issues in design..... but....!

via New York Times