Abstract

This thesis addresses the limitations posed by conventional office furniture, and its impact on human psychological and physiological well-being. Drawing upon literature that delves into the topics of neuroscience of play, environmental psychology, and emotional sustainability, the thesis seeks to solve these issues through design modifications. It aims to understand how brief, movement-focused breaks can help rejuvenate executive functioning, uplift mood, and encourage bursts of social interaction. A five-stage prototyping process, thumbnail sketches, clay models, 3D modeling, full-scale drawings, and iterative Fusion360 refinements, later Tandem was born. By requiring at least two users to operate its see-saw mode, Tandem counteracts workplace barriers, and sedentary habits developed over the period of an employees’ term in a corporate environment. Tandem is meant to evoke childhood nostalgia and memories, cultivating long-term emotional attachment to extend the product’s lifespan. Tandem helps offices incorporate playful, dynamic, and multi-functional furniture that offsets the negative effects of extended periods of sitting.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Office furniture--Design; Employee health promotion; Employee motivation

Publication Date

12-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Industrial Design (MFA)

College

College of Art and Design

Advisor

Stan Rickel

Advisor/Committee Member

Melissa Dawson

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

IDDE-MFA

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