Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby met when they were architecture students at the Royal College of Art in London. Together they founded their firm, Barber Osgerby in 1996, shortly after graduating. Since then, they have quietly taken the design world by storm, winning numerous awards, publishing a book and creating products for brands such as Cappellini, Flos, Vitra, Established & Sons, Sony and Coca-Cola.

The multi-faceted pair now run two agencies: their first studio, Barber Osgerby, focuses on product design, and Universal Design Studio, established in 2001, focuses on architecture and interior design projects.

The pair were approached to advise on some British school furniture, which led to extensive research fuelled by the discrepancy between active teaching and the historically static design of school chairs. And so began a quest for a more dynamic, beautiful and visually memorable alternative, drawing on established links between movement and learning.

“We visited a lot of schools and did our own research. There’s not just a gap in the market, but a need for something different… The reason people sit back in their chair is that they’re bored. It increases blood flow, and you can concentrate better. So we borrowed that and took it into our design.”

Barber and Osgerby approached world renowned furniture manufacturer, Vitra, to partner with them on this project. The Swisse company have a reputation for pushing the boundaries of design, creating innovative products in partnership with amazing designers, and so this was a perfect match.

The result is the dynamic Tip Ton chair, and it defines a new generation of contemporary design that has been backed by science-based research into ergonomics. Its name refers to dual sitting postures; from a standard, upright seated position the Tip Ton can be tipped forwards a few degrees, the chair remaining in place once it reaches its optimum angle. This forward-tilt position straightens the pelvis and spine, improving circulation to the abdominal and back muscles.

Manufactured from a single mould without any mechanics, the entire production cycle per unit is an incredible 6 minutes. Made from high quality plastic, they are extremely durable and 100% recyclable. Aesthetically they are a unique yet sleek design and can be stacked up to four chairs high.

We have the Tip Ton available in a stunning glacier blue.

Comfortable, ergonomic and elegant – the Tip Ton is a contemporary design dream and the perfect addition to any study or office space.