Lou Rocker
Product Design
Gravity Sketch
3D Printing
Photoshop
Blender
Vizcom
Lou is an experimental rocking chair that explores how digital tools shape physical craft. It debuted at Milan Design Week 2025 as an example of how new creative technologies can redefine making.
Research/ Constraints
Research/ Constraints
I started by researching existing solutions for large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) furniture. A common solution balancing aesthetics and manufacturing was a multi-planar toolpath. I knew early on that I wanted to explore a more unique manufacturing approach and product category. An early hurdle for this project was that I wouldn't be able to physically prototype at scale and was working remotely from the Decibel team. These constraints propelled me to explore digital design processes which didn't sacrifice intent and successfully informed proportion, scale, and visuals.
Early Ideation
Early Ideation
My original ideation was for a stackable rocking chair printed with a non-planar toolpath. Weight and practicality concerns scrapped the stackable idea pretty early, so I was left with a non-planar rocking chair to execute. I chose to explore different ideas using hand sketching and generative ai tools like Vizcom to rapidly realize ideas.
3D Modeling
3D Modeling
With the AI visualization as a starting point, I could head into Gravity Sketch to prototype the tool path and proportions. Seeing the design at 1:1 scale was a huge unlock considering the limited ability to physically prototype.
Toolpath Prototyping
Toolpath Prototyping
I used the Tissue add-on in Blender to visualize the print path/ layer lines to help prototype the final design. I also explored methods for reducing the file size by baking the material to aid in rendering/ animations for marketing promotion.
Marketing Visuals
Marketing Visuals
Once I had a small enough file size for animations, I researched and developed Blender scenes for social promotions.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
I worked alongside the engineering team at DecibelMade to make revisions for printability.
Milan Design Week
Milan Design Week
Lou Rocker was featured in the PORTAL collection alongside designs from Karim Rashid, Philippe Bietenholz, Charles Birshaw, Nok Nok, Willo Design, Deniz Aktay, Decibel, and Andrew Schainker.
AI Visualization
AI Visualization
With the release of Nano Banana Pro, I was able to create images of the final design in context. These assets are set to launch as the final imagery for Decibel's website.
