On Standby

Backpack Chair

This project represents an early investigation into mobility, labor, and the relationship between the body and designed objects.

On Standby marked a pivotal shift in my practice. Originally pursuing a degree in Interior Design, this project clarified my interest in working directly with materials and making objects at a human scale, ultimately leading me toward Product Design.

Influenced by Hussein Chalayan’s explorations of wearable furniture, I became interested in objects that blur the boundary between body, utility, and environment. I paired this reference with a familiar form the backpack to create a portable chair designed for moments of pause in public space: reading in a park, sharing a meal at the beach, or briefly resting within the density of the city.

The chair is constructed from recycled ¾-inch plywood sourced from Big Reuse NYC, selected and transported by hand on the MTA from Queens to Union Square. Its weight is intentional, emphasizing both the physicality of the object and the labor embedded in its making. Adjustable orange hemp straps and brass hardware allow the piece to be worn, carried, and deployed as needed.

On Standby functions as both object and gesture an early exploration of how design can accommodate rest, movement, and the realities of the body within shared urban space.