“MUJI’s concept of emphasizing the intrinsic appeal of an object through rationalization and meticulous elimination of excess is closely connected to the traditionally Japanese aesthetic of “su”—meaning plain or unadorned—the idea that simplicity is not merely modest or frugal, but could possibly be more appealing than luxury.

…From the beginning, MUJI has held a particular viewpoint on the future of global consumerism, and our vision will not change. Our goals are to suppress extravagant appetites, as expressed in “This is what I want,” positing instead a value system for modest living, expressed as “This will do.” This desire for moderation is something we can be proud of.”

— Masaaki KANAI, President and Representative Director of MUJI.
(From the recently released MUJI book.)

(Reblogged from Craighton Berman.)

“In many ways, the environmental crisis is a design crisis. It is a consequence of how things are made, buildings are constructed, and landscapes are used. Design manifests culture, and culture rests firmly on the foundation of what we believe to be true about the world.”

– Sym Van Der Ryn

“..At present, what distinguishes a good design from a mere copy is not limited to a component of originality, but to its capacity to hold significance; its adaptation to the real necessities of its users; its respect for the environment with, for example, the use of recyclable materials; its versatility, which allows for its use in diverse environments and situations; an approach in accordance with industrial requirements, so that its manufacturing costs permit production of the design for the general population, as has been desired by many designers for a long time; its innovative components as much as its form as its background; its ergonomics as a fundamental element to obtain a relationship between the chair and its user, and last, an aesthetic that responds to the lifestyle of those to whom it is directed as a way of also obtaining a form of spiritual liberty..”

- Patricia Bueno, Introduction:Just Chairs

“..because chairs are a perfect excuse for may things. A source of inspiration to express artistic restlessness. The throne that allows for the accumulation of power. The sophisticated office chair from which to exercise command. The beach chair that offers a rest by the sea. The comfortable reading chair that provides a link to the real world while the hours fly past immersed in imaginary worlds…”

“..a daring design becomes a paradigmatic example of a manifesto of aesthetics that express a break with the ideas that came before. The chair also serves to express our need to be close to nature and to others rather than being against them. Or as the perfect excuse to wait or leave…”

- Patricia Bueno, Introduction: Just Chairs

A random Google search found me some rocking chair designs that are pretty interesting. Can’t say i am very fond of the aesthetics of Chair #2 though.

Chair #1:

Born of Japanese and Danish influences, Joseph Riehl’s Alright rocking chair looks like a comfortable addition to any room, fitting right in with that Ikea sofa you just can’t get rid of. While the low rise design may suit gamers more than most, the chair could rock anyone to sleep with the rubber mount that stretches and compresses in any direction. It’s a good thing the bent arcs give the joints extra strength.

Designer: Joseph Riehl

Alright rocking chair (via seatingzine.)

Chair #2:

The new design concept of novague rocking chair add this chair to the list of new coming seating trends idea with all the best advantages that this rocking chair offer . Brought to you by Prague design studio Novague, They proposed a cool concept for this Novague Rocking Chair that will be able to produce enough power for a reading light by converting the rocking motion into electricity. The LED lamp is empowered by a dynamo that can convert the mechanic energy acquired by the movement of the chair into electric energy.

A simple steam engine like kinematic mechanism is set under the seat which works with a sliding lever that pulls a flywheel disc while the chair rocks. Produced energy is either supplied to the LED lamp or deposited in the batteries for later use. The aim of the principle is to develop the awareness among mass people of producing their required energy easily by themselves and “How to achieve the energetic self-sufficiency in the future“.

Novague rocking chair (front view)

Novague rocking chair (back view) (via seatingzine)

Chair #3:

Empower

Ryan Klinger (United States of America)

Description:
Through ethnographic research Empower takes advantage of the overlooked and ever reciprocating motion of a glider style chair for the storage and use of usable power for consumer electronics. (via greenergadgets)

Sounds kinda Matrix-isque?

Give it a thought though. Everyday we will be in motion.

We will be walking, climbing stairs, flipping pages, jumping (i’m not sure if you do this everyday though.) etc etc. Imagine how all of this energy can be captured and converted to useful energy?

A good example is as such:

via designboom

Interesting, no?