With today's hectic pace of life, we lack connection and reassuring hugs. SNUG, is an upholsteredlounge chair, created to fulfill this need. Snug balances ones physical and psychological well-being. Hugs are free medicines.

This loungechair is inspired by this idea.SNUG encourages the feeling of peace, calm and warmth.

The curved surface of the back of the chair embodies a hard shell which protects the delicate being inside. The hardcover has been made robust enough to give strength and sustenance and is smooth and soft from the inside to give the cozy warmth of shelter. It is analogousto a turtle's shell.

The body of the chair gives the feeling of being embosomed. The backrest creates an illusion of a virtual hug. As one actually sits in the chair, The soft loving blissful touch of cushions emulates a real hug. It ushers in the feeling of cuddling up to peace, calmness, and security. All the contentment lowers stress. The cozy snuggles provide total relaxation to the body.

Today's cut-throat competition and hectic pace of life leave little room for comforting conversation or hugs. Many times people are far away from their family and friends, be it for higher education or job-related reasons. This distance from our loved ones takes a toll on our physical as well as psychological well being.

Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist says, "We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth."

Humans have a deep and organic need to touch another human. A good hug makes us feel protected and loved at the same time. According to some psychologists, it reminds us of our infanthood when elders took care of us. As per human biology, a hug makes the glands in our body to secrete neurotransmitters Oxytocin, Dopamine, Serotonin and Endorphin in the bloodstream. These go on to calm our nervous system by promoting feelings of contentment, reducing anxiety and elevating our mood. They work on healing feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.The correct levels of these hormones create a positive state of mind. Thus causing a significant impact on our motivation, productivity, and wellbeing. The most important part of this theory is that all good is achieved without ingesting any medication!

The lounge chair, SNUG has been designed to provide a feeling of being hugged. The form of the shell has been inspired by the position of the arms when one hugs someone.

The design takes care of ergonomics. The seat to back angle is such that it provides complete support to the upper body of the user and at the same time is perfectly relaxing for him.

There is a juxtaposition of materials like wood, steel, foam and wool felt in the making of SNUG. All of these materials go on to perform their part in making it a plush and opulent seating. The overall experience enriches the senses and brings contentment and tranquility to mind .

This lounge chair has a shell-like back which forms a sort of cocoon for the user. This shell is made out of bent baltic birch plywood and polyurethane foam. On the inside, a single foam is carved out to give a feel of being surrounded on the three sides by soft cushions. On the outside, PU foam is carved, to complement the perfectly snuggling back. It forms a bulge, which emulates a warm hug. The seat too uses the baltic birch plywood and polyurethane foam.

SNUG does not have four legs like a conventional chair. Instead it has a steel stand supporting it. The absence of legs gives it a floating look. Thus it makes the user curious and invites him to experience seating. The steel base has been laser cut to get the required shape and then given a satin finish by the shot peening.

High Resiliency (HR) foam is the highest grade of polyurethane foam. The elasticity of HR foam helps to prolong the comfort life of a cushion. It has been used in SNUG, to increase coziness. It contours the body exceptionally well, and it's cell structure enables extreme elasticity and optimal supporting force. It distributes pressure across an entire surface, thus making the cushioning very comfortable.

The fabric used for furnishing this lounge chair 100% wool felt. Snug uses two different shades of the colour blue. The outer shell is covered with the darker shade. The darker tone visually lends strength to a strong outer shell. On the inside, the cushions and the seat are covered in the lighter shade of blue. It adds to the cozy environs in the seating area. It is very soft and thus relaxes the user completely. A welt separates the dark and the light felt. It accentuates the color difference and thus makes the seating more appealing.

The entire process from design to manufacturing SNUG has been one very educative and fulfilling for me. SNUG will go a long way in de-stressing body and mind of the user.