Sitting Pretty: A Satirical Critique of 1950s Gender Norms in Design

Building on an analysis of Charm magazine and international modernism, my project critiques 1950s gender norms and limited employment opportunities for women post-WWII. Inspired by Dadaism and satirical design, my "phone chair" incorporates feminine attributes to mock societal expectations of women as homemakers or clerical workers. The poster uses symbolic elements like the color pink for femininity and hidden messages about housework, paralleling Eero Saarinen’s designs, which celebrated nurturing qualities. Influences include the ergonomic Morning-After Chair and the elegant Barcelona Chair, reflecting themes of grace, functionality, and gendered perceptions in design.