How Do Game Designers Generate Other Worlds

Last Sunday, I strolled through the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, a trade show that gives new designers working on furniture, carpeting and flooring, lighting, wall coverings and accessories a chance to hook up with manufacturers and show off their latest designs to the press.

Attending this show is like going to a museum—so many pieces seem more like works of art than the shopworn armchairs I'm used to seeing in furniture stores. The pieces are made to be functional, but sometimes it's hard to tell from looking at them. One thing is certain: They're intriguing and fun and stretch the boundaries of what we think of as furniture.

Here are some of my favorites:

[link href="http://dailywd.womansday.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/06/07/lawnchair.jpg" link_updater_label="external" target="_blank"]

Product, Property, Photograph, White, Floor, Style, Black, Grey, Technology, Rectangle,

The Rhode Island School of Design had an exhibition in conjunction with Swarovski. In a truly unique spin on outdoor furniture, this lawn chair was studded with crystals by Alex Spain-Stromborn—perfect for a cocktail on the deck.

Yellow, Brown, Hair accessory, Natural material, Light fixture, Circle, Creative arts, Artificial flower, Craft, Artificial hair integrations,

My favorite chair, the aptly named Hairy Bertoia by Douglas Homer, looked like a creature from an old Star Trek episode. It was made of individual strands of extruded sponge, hand-knotted by Pennsylvania housewives to a vintage chair frame. I know it looks weird, but once I sat in it, I wished I had the $2,500 to buy it. I felt swallowed up in it—it would be a perfect addition to my living room.

Wood, Brown, Room, Yellow, Interior design, Hardwood, Property, Table, Furniture, Wall,

Made out of bent poplar, this set of furniture is Susan Woods's New Wave Line. An interesting design and beautiful wood, but not something you'd want to cuddle up in.

Product, Photograph, White, Toilet, Suit trousers, Formal wear, Suit, Light, Toilet seat, Blazer,

Another design straight out of Star Trek was a pod bed, called Transport, by Alberto Frias. You climb inside to experience different colored lights, music and vibrations. Just what you need for a good night's sleep!

Product, Brown, Property, Photograph, Interior design, Light, Interior design, World, Light fixture, Metal,

A light fixture called Hungry by Fabbian linked together shiny knives, forks and spoons as a "shade." A simple idea, but it was actually quite beautiful to see the light sparkle off the flatware.

Photograph, White, Ball, Light, Light fixture, World, Lighting accessory, Natural material, Sphere, Circle,

British Sibir Design showed a couple of clever light fixtures made out of interlocking CDs. It put a smile on my face and made me wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Room, Interior design, Wall, Interior design, Living room, Linens, Natural material, Still life photography, Creative arts, Collection,

I loved the shades (and pillows and wall hangings) by Sally Hudson of Noodle Design, featuring computer-manipulated images of trees from the British countryside.

Glass, Photograph, Drinkware, Transparent material, Light, Barware, Circle, Silver, Still life photography, Stemware,

If you're worried about spilling wine, the Rotario Glass in Motion by Austrian Designer Angelika R¼mmele is the perfect solution. The bottoms are curved, so they never sit flat on the table—but they also won't tip over.

What do you think of these designs?

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