I’m Katy Thompson and I am a Product and Furniture Design graduate with a particular interest in Furniture design.
At BCU I have designed a wide range of furniture pieces most of which have integrated my favourite material, moulded plywood. By using this material, my style has developed to incorporate lots of curved lines and organic forms.
I think design has an important part to play in improving society by tackling social issues, starting important conversations, and bringing people together.
Inspired by personal experiences growing up in a predominately white town and the black lives matter movement, this chair explores hair-based discrimination and how design can celebrate black, afro, and textured hair. Zewadi was designed as a functional and educational furniture piece, intended to initiate conversations surrounding this underrepresented issue. Zewadi uses textured black cork and rounded forms to represent black hair, whilst its throne-like scale brings empowerment to its users. Additionally, the gap in the headrest not only highlights the user’s hair but also reduces the risk of friction damage.
My project Zewadi has been shortlisted for the Creative Conscience Social Impact Design Award at New Designer 2021.
