Thesis (M. Sc. ID)--University of New South Wales, 2001. / Also available online.

To document the design, prototype and manufacture of a lounge, which stimulates communication and human interaction. The lounge will also question conventional seating arrangements, and redefine how two people can sit in relation to each other, converse, interact and exchange body language. The process began with an initial design sketch, and producing a prototype. This step was required, as it was the starting point for the major project. It provided me with an initial design to criticize and improve on. The major project is intended to test the validity of the initial design, analyse the markets, and improve the design in relation to ergonomic issues, material/manufacturing resolution and produce a marketing plan. The next stage of the process was the gathering and analysis of relevant information in order to redefine the design brief. This involved preliminary research into marketing, ergonomics, materials and manufacturing processes. With the design brief now established, concepts were prepared and compared against the products criteria. The design solution which best met the criteria was further detailed and developed. Finally, a business plan was put together to test the commercial viability of the lounge. The business plan was comprised of the viable markets, production cost, investment cost, discounted cash flow, and sensitivity analysis.