Ming-style wooden seat furniture framework for enhanced ergonomic design

Chinese Ming-style wooden furniture is widely recognised for its exquisite craftsmanship, minimalist elegance, and deep cultural heritage. Traditionally admired for its visual appeal and symbolic value, Ming-style seating occupies an important place in Chinese design history. However, as society continues to evolve and industrial design advances, the importance of ergonomics in furniture design has gained increasing attention. This shift calls for a revaluation of traditional furniture, particularly in terms of user comfort and functionality. Despite its cultural significance, the ergonomic aspects of Ming-style wooden seat furniture have long been neglected by designers and manufacturers. Most existing designs are not well-suited to modern ergonomic standards, often featuring rigid forms and fixed dimensions that compromise comfort. While these pieces succeed aesthetically and culturally, they tend to fall short in providing the level of physical support and usability expected by contemporary users. This disconnect highlights a critical issue in aligning traditional design values with present-day ergonomic requirements. In response to this challenge, the research aims to develop the Ergonomic Design Framework (EDF) a structured and innovative approach designed to harmonize the traditional aesthetics of Ming- style furniture with modern ergonomic principles. The framework seeks to assist designers in creating furniture that retains its historical identity while enhancing comfort and usability for today’s users. To achieve this, the study adopted a multi- method research design, combining a comprehensive literature review, quantitative analysis, and expert validation. Two rounds of questionnaires were conducted to collect data, involving 52 designers and manufacturers from various organizations, as well as 305 users of Ming-style furniture. This diverse sample provided a broad understanding of ergonomic preferences and needs in furniture design, contributing to the development of a more inclusive and user-centered framework. The findings of the study identified five key ergonomic aspects that should be prioritized in the design and development of Ming-style wooden seating: aesthetics, comfort, safety, usability, and productivity/efficiency. These aspects are essential to ensuring that traditional designs are both visually compelling and functionally appropriate for modern use. The research also confirmed the practical relevance of the EDF framework through validation with industry experts, reinforcing its value as a guiding tool for future furniture development. In conclusion, the study recommends that designers integrate the Ergonomic Design Framework into their design processes. By doing so, it becomes possible to create Ming-style wooden furniture that not only preserves its cultural legacy but also addresses the ergonomic expectations of contemporary users. This approach promotes a meaningful cultural-ergonomic synergy, supporting the continued relevance, usability, and marketability of these iconic pieces in today’s design landscape.

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