Unintended beauty

Construction is often fixed. Products are constantly improvised to accommodate a spontaneous need. But design that intentionally incorporates changing and improvisation is a rare thing to come by. The Friction Table by Heatherwick Studio does just that.

Made out of slats of paper solidified in hard resin, the Friction Table uses a lattice construction, which when pulled can transform from a cozy circle table to a 4-meter long ellipse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLdYFRZ39OY

This product mesmerizes because of its absence of complexity. There are no distracting loud mechanisms, and when the Friction table transitions it does so with smooth grace. But regardless of the beauty in its construction there is a more important design question being exemplified. Designing for intentional use is the default for products. Designing for both intentional and spontaneous use is a much greater challenge. My interest was piqued by a book titled "Thoughtless Acts" by Jane Fulton Suri of IDEO. "Thoughtless Acts" is a photographic collection of products being used in unintended and delightful improvisations. Exploring products in real use, flaws and all, is the most valuable lesson I hope to explore.

To learn more about the Friction table visit:

https://www.dezeen.com/2017/10/04/heatherwick-studios-friction-table-expands-adapt-different-spaces-design-furniture/