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WeaverSeat: Response from San Juan / Guatemala by Kim


Response from San Juan / Guatemala by Kim

Hi, Kim!

  • Designed for DIY. Made from fuel wood and scrap sheet metal, so without cost.
  • The women can indeed make their own seats. Would be best if they started doing so together during their associations meetings. Bram's observation was that interest for the WeaverSeat shrunk when actual hands-on participation came near. Indicating that the interest for the WeaverSeat could well be that for being entertained. I would appreciate to get explicit comments on this hypothesis.
  • So I intensely hope for a craze around getting the WeaverSeat and then personalizing it. I'll do anything to get it going, but have little hope to see it realized.
  • Adjustable: for length of upper leg and for length of leg under knee. To be done with a hammer or a stone. Adjusting is necessary, not done well the seat is uncomfortable. When the wedges are properly fastened, the frame is sturdy.
  • Height of seat to be chosen when seat is made. We have to find out what is the effect of the pull of the cloth being woven on the lower back. Not an easy part of social research. Of course it is lower for shorter persons, but that is not the whole story.
  • Special facility is that the knee supports can turn and allow you to move your feet while your knees remain getting support from the rests. This should increase comfort during long lasting use.
  • The frame is detachable, thus takes far less space when transported or stored.
  • The seat can be personalized. First of all by making the 4 cushions to one's liking, then by painting the frame in a way the user likes.
    Kim: Forgive me for not confirming sooner. The photos are great. What a huge change to the original design! I am so happy to see the seat is still adjustable. I think that was the best part of the prototype and it is so much easier to produce one adjustable seat than a lot of customized ones.

    I think Bram's observation is correct. If the women have to manufacture the seat themselves they won´t be as interested. I think they will be interested in something they can buy that won´t cost them a fortune but will certainly be useful. Also, I like the idea that the seat can be taken apart. This is great if the women are working outside of their homes and they can just throw the seat in a bag with their other materials. Whatever you do, make it as easy and uncomplicated as possible.

    From the photos, this seat looks a little unstable even though you say it is sturdy. How will it be for the heavier women? Will it be comfortable for the women with larger rear ends? Also, we have to make sure the seat doesn't slide on the tile floors here. That was one of the comments about the first prototype, that is, that is moved around too much on the floor when the women had to pull back to get tension in their weaves.

    Of course we will create a craze with the seat!!! I think the fact that there is interest from Landivar, that DEMOTECH has a whole new design...etc. will make this a race to find the most comfortable, cheapest, stylish option. I can help you market the seat. I can already imagine some fun publicity campaigns for this product.

    Un abrazo!

    Kim


    WeaverSeat: Response from San Juan / Guatemala by Kim