How Design Thinking & Strategy Inspired the AXIS Smart Chair

THE CHALLENGE
My professional work often requires long periods of focused, seated activity, which can lead to fatigue, restricted movement, stress, and reduced concentration.

The project began with a research question: How might an office chair support physical movement, cognitive focus, emotional regulation, and workflow access as one integrated experience?

THE AUDIENCE
AXIS was designed for professionals who spend extended periods seated while managing complex tasks, critical decisions, and demanding workflows.

These users needed more than posture support. They needed greater mobility, thermal comfort, control, focus, and access to tools without repeatedly interrupting their work.

THE SOLUTION
The process included interviews, observation, journey mapping, secondary research, trend analysis, embodied-cognition research, cross-category inspiration, and AI-assisted visualization.

Each feature addressed a specific need. Restricted movement informed powered omnidirectional mobility. Fatigue led to adaptive ergonomic support. Thermal discomfort inspired heating and cooling. Cognitive interruption shaped integrated controls and storage. Stress-informed massage and sensory-support concepts.

THE CORE IDEA
AXIS was developed as more than a chair; it is a responsive performance system that integrates ergonomic support, controlled mobility, workflow access, and sensory technology.

Inspiration from aerospace environments, cockpit controls, military vehicles, and Mecanum wheels contributed to a stable, mobile, and user-controlled experience.

THE LEARNING
The process broadened my understanding of ergonomics from physical comfort to whole-person performance. By studying movement, stress, focus, and environmental interaction as a connected system, design can create quieter, more intuitive support for people working through prolonged, demanding moments.