Designer: Continuum - Joey Zeledon Location: West Newton, MA, USA Category: Speculative Objects / Concepts Award: Notable

Coat Check Chair

The Coat Check Chair recombines the plastic hangers and the steel closet rod from a standard closet in a way that creates a new purpose. Coat Check Chair brings these ordinary objects out into the open and features them in a way that is unexpected and useful.

The idea for this concept is actually rooted in my childhood. I clearly remember my mother scolding me for draping my coat and other articles of clothing over the backs of chairs and onto the floor. Thus, creating small behavior change was a big mindset in the overall approach to this challenge.

Core77: How did you learn that you had been recognized by the jury?

Luckily, the speculative concepts category winners were announced during the work day so all I had to do was put my digital sketching on hold, flip to Core77, sit back, relax and enjoy the show. It was so much fun to hear my name announced by a live jury. My reaction was a healthy dose of validation with a serotonin aftertaste.

What's the latest news or development with your project?

I am currently shopping the chair around, looking for the right investor or company to license the design. I believe the design could be a fun and useful addition to any retail dressing room.

What is one quick anecdote about your project?

It was the moment I realized just how awesome a children's version of the chair would be, a smaller frame and smaller hangers for smaller clothing. It could make tidying up their rooms a bit more enjoyable.

Read on for full details on the project and jury comments.