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Graduates
Jingwen Gu
BS in Product Design — Product DesignCourse:
Eco research lab - Joshua Tree
Faculty:
James Meraz
Term:
2023 Summer
Arid — Rocking Seat
Arid explores how a low, grounding seating object can reconnect people with nature within an urban setting. Inspired by the quiet weight of desert boulders and the enveloping presence of mountains, the form stays close to the ground to echo the feeling of resting on a warm rock. Carved openings filter light into evolving shadow patterns, while a gently curved base introduces a subtle rocking motion. Soft upholstery and natural material contrasts create a calm, restorative experience that supports multiple ways of sitting and gathering.
Process:
The project began with a one-week stay in Joshua Tree during the first week of the semester, using direct observation of rocks, shadows, and desert stillness as the foundation for form and experience.
Back in studio, I translated these insights into sketches and scale studies, exploring low-to-the-ground seating and organic cutout patterns that could echo the permeability and weight of natural boulders.
Through iterative prototyping, I refined the rocking curvature, structural rhythm, and upholstery comfort to balance quiet stability with subtle motion, shaping Arid into a calm seating element that brings a grounded desert moment into an urban context.
Learning Outcomes:
Arid strengthened my ability to translate field research into form, using observations from Joshua Tree to guide a grounded seating experience. I improved my exploration of light, shadow, and perforation as emotional design elements that change throughout the day. I also refined my prototyping skills to balance subtle rocking motion, comfort, and structural clarity for flexible sitting and gathering.
Project Website: