Academic Equipment: The Chair
When you sit down to do your work, on what do you sit?
I realize that is worded like a riddle or a kid’s joke, but it’s not intended as that.
Rather, it’s just the second installment in an occasional series about theĀ things academics tend to use—the tools, equipment, accessories, and other products we need (or want) for our work. This one is about chairs and other forms of seating. (The first one, a couple of months ago, was on work bags.)
The Libro Chair by Gruppo Designer Associati Milano
Do you have a particular chair, or type of chair, you use and would recommend to others? Or one that you’ve looked into and would like? Do you prefer one kind for the office and another at home? Do you prefer different types of chairs for different types of tasks (say, one for writing and another for reading)?
Perhaps you forgo the traditional chair and opt for a stool, or a sofa (in the office?), or something like this. Tell us about it (and include links, if you’d like).
Maybe you skip sitting altogether and work at a standing desk; if so, save that for a future installment on desks.
Your seating suggestions, based on your experience, shopping around, or even wishing, are welcome, as are criticisms or warnings about certain chairs, as well as questions about them for others.
This is a crucial question. I firmly believe in minimalism for chairs and other office accessories because it fosters a clear, uncluttered mind. In philosophy, our goal is to penetrate the surface and explore the pure, simple ideas beneath the layers of complexity and confusion. Sitting on an elaborate or overly complex chair, with its myriad settings and features, would contradict this philosophical vision. Therefore, I prefer a simple white Ikea chair. Its straightforward design and functional simplicity align perfectly with the minimalist aesthetic, and the color white symbolizes theoretical purity, reinforcing the clarity and focus essential to philosophical inquiry. https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/gunde-folding-chair-white-60217799/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADqyA2NevZkiyOO0rqRq5wlTiVrFU&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkdO0BhDxARIsANkNcrfDmJk9UtowCmXojysj5j5dvaC0RP-XEXqQSfN3zXdETyGFszWXLMQaAgKDEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
I recently upgraded to a Branch Ergonomic Chair. It is much more comfortable than the cheap office chair I used previously, and has improved my posture and back/neck pain.
I got one of these, too, not long ago, for use in my home office. It’s a very good chair, and less expensive than many others of its type. I’m quite happy with it. Link: https://www.branchfurniture.com/products/ergonomic-chair?pb=0
At work I have an old Steelcase Leap, which is great, but I did not have to pay for it myself.
I’ve been tempted to get a small sofa for my office at the university, but I cannot get myself over the hurdle of how it may appear to both students – I’m a man and don’t want to give off the wrong vibes, if you know what I mean – and colleagues – I don’t want my fellow profs or chair thinking I’m sleeping on the job. Profs who have sofas in their offices: Have you had these concerns? How have you dealt with them? Are they silly?
My mid-career colleague has *only* sofas in the office, and they are known for hard-working and productivity! Definitely no judgment there.
I’ve had this exact concern myself!
I have a sofa in my office *specifically* for sleeping on the job and I’m quite happy to admit to it. Powernaps improve productivity!
I use an old oak office chair from the 1930s, both at home and in my office on campus. Theyāre solid, theyāre comfortable, they swivel, they tilt, and you can find them for $10 at a surplus store.
Steelcase Leap – expensive but completely worth it, fits almost all frames (5′ – 6’4″), and is very ergonomic.