Primary Pictures of cot

While I was out I got the chance to get some pictures of a hood mechanism on a moses basket. I wanted to use this chance to look at how its constructed and the materials used. The spines and main mechanism is made of plastic through injection moulding same as the meeting point where the elastic is placed. The fabric is a very plasticey material, I am not fully sure but if i was to guess its pvc fabric. This is so the cot can be used outside as well i would imagine. The spine seems to be attached to the fabric using a sealed seam. This looks ok but not entirely neat.

After looking at this I am aware this is a easy mechanism to compy but i want to explore other materials for both fabric and the spines.

Possible materials for the spines i feel are, fiber glass (cheap similar to tent polls), Aluminium alloy (more expensive but way stronger). Injection moulded plastic would be the more mass production friendly route but i want to look at other ways first.

For the fabric I have listed Nylon , Canvas and polythene. Despite my research of tents and other such products I want to look at knitted fabric. My reason for this is to add a more cosy and safe feel to the cocoon and is a more breathable materials. Looking at seems and different ways to put thespines in to the fabric.

Researchhhh the details!

 So while the idea is set and has a general direction i want to look at different ways the chair can work and different ideas for mechanisms. I am looking at hoods and the different ways they close, poppers, buttons and zips. I want to find a way to close the cocoon with out it runing the look and feel of the cocoon. Ill explore all these different ideas so i can work out how the mechanism and construction of the chair will work. The tent looks similar to the hood design i already and i feel the spines and how they would fall is vital.
Ill now go onto exploring different conclusions for my mechanisms and hood design.

Also I really like the knitted look.

The plot, or product thickens

God I love beanbags

After thinking about the cocoon i want to have the middle comfortable and cosy. I personally love beanbags and i think adding it to the chair will make it so much more versitile. If the bean bag comes out the chair then it can be used in more places and swapped for other bean bags. Ill look at fabrics for the bean bag.

The start of the idea

From my first drawing of this idea (top left) I have over the process changed the shape and changed how it looks but the concept of the hood and idea of escapism has stayed the same. I changed the shape from a long oval to a circle for several reasons. The circle is more firendly and more room friendly i feel and is less coffin like. I felt the oval was a little off putting beacuse it looked a little like a coffin and the point of the chair is to inspire a more warming way to esacpe. I am happy with the shape now but will now looking at the smaller details, such as how it close and what its made of .

So whats actually out there ?

    To start this project off I thought i would show what is already out there and whats similar. I had the idea in my head or a rough idea of what i wanted to achieve but I would like to show whats there now. My idea is passed on escapism and how we as people want to be able to sometime just close off from the world and escape to a place we feel safe and cut off

These chairs use the idea of a cocoon, a idea simliar to mine. All the chairs use big encolsed shapes and try surrond the user and give a cocoon feel. This is not so enclosed to the point its suffocate the user but gives enough breathable space.

Large curved shapes make these chairs feel like you as the user are entering a cocoon and a safe area. The safe and comfort come from the cushioned seating and the warm colours, the chairs are like the cocoon in the idea but are not in colour .

My idea i have started with is similar to the features here. But there is much room for development and improvement.