Objects as Identity: The Intersection of Wallets & Chairs
Returning from Milan Design Week with insights in tow, this article explores the similarities and differences between two ubiquitous objects that are present in our everyday lives: the chair and the wallet (Note: this article was originally published on May 3, 2023). In this, we focus on form and function, as we compare the evolution of chair design to that of (physical) wallets and dig into the idea that the chair is a form of communication and self-expression for product designers (and consumers alike); while the wallet is also a vehicle for communication, identity, and self-expression. Two entirely different objects, with the same timelessness, intention, and meaning. Enjoy ✨
From concept to conversation to commerce.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend Milan Design Week in Italy, hosted in concert with the 61st annual Salone del Mobile (the world’s largest and arguably most prestigious furniture fair). This was an event filled with seemingly endless art installations, exhibitions, social gatherings, and thousands of brands dropping hundreds of products. Given this was my first time attending, I was in awe at the sheer scale and participatory energy of what felt like the entire city of Milan—it was buzzing—from concept to conversation to commerce. If averaging 25k steps over the course of 6 days was any indication of our excitement, the creative crew I was traveling with was like a pack of wildlings in a candy store. Every stop on our cobble-stoned journey was another heady fix of design inspiration straight to the dome.
Triennale di Milano Installation
As someone who studies and practices emerging tech daily, this IRL event was a welcome reprieve from the non-stop chatter in my feeds re: AI, Web3, etc. Frankly, the absence of technology was a bit surprising to me. Surely, every brand would be riding the wave—smart this, AI that? But that was not the case. And I was here for it. The theme for this year’s event was “creating connections” and the absence of technology was tangible. It allowed the exhibitors and audience alike to focus on the objects themselves. From the ADI Design Museum showcasing 60+ years of award-winning Italian industrial design (like the image below), to the freshest of fresh emerging designers taking their swings, physicality was clearly front and center. In that spirit, the presence of the chair as the flagship object reigned supreme.
ADI Design Museum Installation
As we explored, my travel companions from INDUSTRY couldn’t stop talking about said chairs, and I, wallets. At first, I felt a little out of place, but then I realized just how similar the two objects are. And so I absorbed all things chairs with an open mind and heart, with wallets hovering nearby like an ever-expanding thought bubble.
A renewed focus on physicality.
In this article, with a focus on physicality, I compare and contrast these two timeless objects: the chair, and db clay’s focal point, the wallet. Both seemingly ubiquitous in our daily lives—the chair and the wallet that is—have more in common than one might expect. At Milan Design Week, the chair was clearly the bellwether for design. Every brand/designer had their own take. And according to travel companions, the chair is almost a rite of passage for any industrial designer. You need to earn the privilege of being able to design a chair.
“The chair. It’s the ultimate designer canvas. Every designer, I mean, almost every one, wants to tackle it. Some dig into the form, some into the materials. It’s a platform, a launchpad for expression… a chance for them to comment on design, ecology, society, themselves.”
The Capsule Chair by NUOVA
Same, same. Different, different.
When we think of chairs, we think about attributes such as comfort, ergonomics, and aesthetics. Over the centuries, designers have experimented with various styles and materials, from ancient wooden thrones to contemporary metal and plastic chairs. The primary design consideration for chairs is to provide a comfortable seating experience, while also being visually appealing. Whether it’s a simple wooden chair or a complex ergonomic chair, for example, designers have always aimed to create a balance between form and function. Yes, there are crazy concept chairs that have no business letting humans sit on top of them, but for the most part commercially viable chairs follow a similar set of principles. If you squint your eyes, most chairs are universally recognizable as such.
Photo Credit: @Milan.Design.Week on Instagram
By comparison, wallets are primarily designed to be functional, but also aesthetically pleasing. But the size, functionality, and materials used in wallets have changed over the centuries. From ancient leather pouches, to DIY duct tape wallets, to modern minimalist wallets, designers have continuously experimented with new materials, shapes, and styles to meet changing societal needs and design trends. To me, if you strip away the gimmicks i.e. RFID blockers, plastic ID windows, hinged money clips, etc. and just focus on clean form and function, the wallet is at its best when it’s most basic. The wallet in my view is simply a tool, a utility, a thing to hold your things. The visual layer is an added bonus, not a requirement. But similar to the chair, one’s desire for self-expression tips the scales on what objects you choose to surround yourself with on the daily.
db clay, “Dammasch” Gold Wallet
Over time, the evolution of chair design has been influenced by societal needs and design trends. For example, the Renaissance period saw the emergence of ornate chairs with intricate carvings, reflecting the opulence of the time. The Industrial Revolution brought mass production and new materials, leading to the development of the modernist movement and the use of steel and plastic in chair design. Today, sustainability and eco-friendliness are driving design innovation, resulting in chairs made from recycled materials and sustainable wood. Throughout these iterations, the chair’s primary purpose (a place to sit) has largely remained unchanged. Try as we may, the chair always comes back to simply being a chair.
“FLOW” Collection by Daisuke Yamamoto
Similarly, wallet design has evolved to meet changing societal needs and design trends. For instance, the emergence of credit cards and digital payments has led to the development of minimalist wallets that are slimmer and lighter. And today, designers are experimenting with new materials, such as cork and mushroom leather, to create eco-friendly and sustainable wallets. If the sponsored posts in my Instagram feed are any indication, most wallet providers today are hyping up new tech features. But personally, I don’t prefer an integrated mechanical device that magically springs my cards from their resting position. I personally gravitate towards simplicity and tactility. Fancy, complicated wallets may look good, but all we think about at db clay is the utility of accessing your things efficiently, minimizing wear and tear on your pocket, durability, etc. But of course we want our wallets to look good while doing so.
“There is a definite line that can be drawn to compare these two objects; both personal artifacts that tell you something about the owner… one literally carries your identity, but they both carry your identity in the form of expression, and the use/wear and tear you put on them throughout their lifespan.”
Daniel Arsham x Snarkitecture “Sculpted Series”
Approaching design with intention.
When we compare the evolution of chairs and wallets, we can see how designers have approached the challenges of designing these objects differently. While comfort and aesthetics are primary design considerations for chairs, functionality and size are the primary design considerations for wallets—not to mention a greater gravitational pull towards digital (at least for now). However, designers have always aimed to strike a balance between form and function in both objects. For both, it’s helpful to think about constraints. For the chair, the constraint of human sizing, placement around a table, comfortably fitting within the home, office, etc. For the wallet, similarly, we are constrained by the size of modern pockets, handbags, and of course, the standard size of credit cards and currency. But all of this is subject to change…
“There is a huge amount of expression in both… carrying certain wallets or owning certain chairs as a status symbol that is… therein lies the paradox: there are only so many ways to keep your ass off the ground and keeping your shit from falling out of your pockets… but at the same time infinite ways of expressing it.”
In summary, chairs and wallets are nearly timeless objects that have evolved over time to meet changing societal needs and design trends. As everyday users of both objects, one can appreciate how designers have approached the challenges of designing these objects in new and different ways, while still striving to create a balance between form and function. As currency evolves (and becomes increasingly digital), as credit cards get absorbed into your digital applications, and identity evolves, my hope is that we don’t lose sight of the physicality of the objects themselves. After all, there is something so pure and simple and human about sitting comfortably on a good old chair. I hope the wallet follows suit.
See you at the next one ✌️
