Totter

A modular, rocking work and play space for children, Totter gives kids the opportunity to both play and work from home. This project attempts to solve the problem that many parents and guardians faced during the height of the coronavirus pandemic: needing to find new and creative ways to help their kids release energy during quarantine. The seat gives children the freedom to move while learning which in turn, facilitates an active body and alert mind.

Inspiration

Active Seating

The preliminary approach to this design process consisted of researching modern innovations in ergonomic seating for the workplace and finding ways to incorporate play. The designs that most inspired the creation of Totter were saddle seats and rocking chairs.

Playful Modularity

The clever, modular designs created by toy maker Cas Holman inspired the addition of Totter’s peg accessory system. The various peg accessories allow for the project’s convenient and versatile variety of applications.

Process

Initial form sketches.

Evaluating positions for accessories.

Ideating potential peg accessories.

Concept Ideation

The initial sketches focused on the curved bottom form and top component of the piece. Further sketching was done to find comfortable sitting positions which ultimately informed the designs of the peg accessories.

Form Testing

The prototyping process consisted of finding the best degree of curvature for the rounded bottom component. By using a subtle curve, the final design did not risk the chance of tipping over when in use.

Peg Accessories: handlebars, desk, and screen.

Final form sketch.

Further Ideation

Transferring the project into SolidWorks and Keyshot not only helped me understand the technical constraints of the more complex top form but it also aided in the visualization and ideation of the peg accessories. The final project implements the simple, rounded form on the right.

Curved forms used for vacuum bending the poplar.

Pressure from vacuum forms the layers of poplar to the curved shape.

Cross cut of bottom piece.

Making peg accessories.

Fabrication

The fabrication process started with digitally modeling the final curves (top and bottom) which were then cut out from MDF on a CNC. The skeletons were then assembled and used as the base for vacuum bending the layered poplar to create the final forms.

Final Design

Peg Accessories

The final fabricated attachments consist of a desk and two rocking handles which easily fit into the holes on the top of the form and can be conveniently used in any orientation. There is endless room for growth for this product due to its potential for new attachments such as cushions or screens.