Soft Segregation
Soft Segregation is an airline interior seating concept designed for a post covid travel landscape where the feeling of safety during air travel is of paramount importance. With a perception shift surrounding social interaction and personal space cramped economy flying is no longer just an unavoidable annoyance but for most an impossible option. Cocooned Comfort aims to redesign aircraft seating to create social distancing, both physically and emotionally, without the feeling of social seclusion and claustrophobia.
THE NEW NORMAL
Societal change, human behaviour and user requirements in a post Covid - 19 World.
According to a 2020 study published by The Journal of Travel Medicine, 40% of individuals surveyed reported feeling anxious about being in large groups again while 60% suggested they would not travel as readily as they had pre-pandemic.
COVID Stress Syndrome (fear of infection, touching surfaces and being around other individuals) is a newly considered mental health issue that has the potential to affect vast numbers of individuals as a return to normalcy takes place.
Not all individuals are reticent about the easing of restrictions however, 24% reported a desire to travel again immediately.
DESIGN RAMIFICATIONS
In order to adapt to this change in societal behavior and an emerging polarity of customer opinion, design must become flexible, adaptable and suitable for all. Passengers must feel safe whilst retaining an element of normality so many are craving.
CONCEPT
By dividing up the aircraft through desired levels of physical and emotional distancing a range of options can be given and all passengers catered for. From those whose desire it is to stay in their bubble to families who require grouped seating and all in-between.
SEAT DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
FINAL SEAT DESIGN
HIGH Seat: seats are individually placed and socially distanced from others. High levels of cocooning is created through seat design as well as colour and material application. This includes dense material qualities, and heavy use of pattern.
MID seat: seats are placed together with distancing in place. Mid levels of cocooning is created through seat design as well as colour and material application. This includes mid density fabric with faded qualities and mid-weight pattern use.
LOW seats: seating for you and your loved ones. Seats are grouped together in a sofa style. Pattern is used as a means of segregation as apposed to physical barriers and social interaction between seats is encouraged.
MOOD
Colour, material and finish aesthetic takes inspiration from a cocoon. Renowned for its ability to keep things safe, comfortable and protected, a cocooned like effect enables the user to feel safely enclosed in their own ‘bubble’ whilst still connected to the outside world. This is achieved through design elements such as wrap around shapes, quilted materials, rounded edges, curved lines, and semi transparent materials.
CMF DESIGN STRATEGY
Quilted Leather is adopted as a means of adding comfort, form and elegance
Cording and embroidery is utilised to create a high end feel
Pattern and form divides seats creating a metaphorical barrier between passengers
Transitioning material density is explored in order to create a range of seclusive effects
COLOUR AND MATERIAL
PATTERN DEVELOPMENT
Design development and pattern ideation is initially inspired by cocoon like forms. Pattern is then translated into a more usable repeat pattern.
The final outcome creates pattern as a means of segregation, seclusion and spatial mapping. Dense pattern surrounds the edge of each seat defining ones personal space. Curved encompassing lines are used to create a comforting feel and perforated pattern is adopted in order to create a soft seclusive effect.
FINAL SAMPLES
