Hi, I’m Sofia Limena, a sophomore persuing a degree in Industrial Design at Carnegie Mellon University with a minor in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Business Administration.
I’m a multidisciplinary designer obsessed with culture, having grown up in cities across the United States and Europe, my favourite designs are the ones that become a part of, and shake up the cultural zeitgeist.
I take this into my own design practice, with bold (sometimes provocative) visuals, thoughtful modular systems and tongue-in-cheek storytelling.
Outside of work, you can find me lamenting about the Chelsea Hotel, tattooing or adding another book to my “Want to Read” queue on Goodreads.
Resume
Four Board Stool, Furniture Design for Carnegie Mellon University
Project Prompt: Students will design and construct three-dimensional solid wooden forms that demonstrate basic functionality and adhere to predetermined design and fabrication criteria.
Timeline
November 2025 - December 2025
Four Weeks
Tools
Solidworks
Band Saw
Joiner
Planar
Table Saw
Table Router
Drill Press
Materials
Foamcore
Cardboard
Poplar Wood
Nails
Wood Grain Feature PanelThe stool’s simple form is contrasted by irregularly expressive wood grain, positioned on the exterior to function as a distinct visual feature.
Juxtapos-ition of Solid and Void
The vertical back panel is contrasted by adjacent negative space, creating asymmetry and visual tension while maintaining overall balance.Balanced Compos-itionInterior grain patterns are carefully distributed, with knots positioned above and below the horizontal seating plane to avoid visual crowding. Form and Affordance
The recessed corner provides affordance, subtly indicating where the body should sit or perch and inviting interraction.
Early Sketches and Foam Core Models
I rapidly iterated quarter-scale stool prototypes in foam core, narrowing the exploration to three final options. This helped to understand the structural limitations of the iterations, using flat head sewing pins to consider nail placement and load distribution. Two of the final iterations read as reduced chairs rather than stools at full scale, so I decided to continue with Iteration 3, which maintains an intentional stool-like presence fully scaled. Further, I focused on a restrained geometry that prioritized simplicity over a sculptural composition.
Full Scale Prototyping
After initial prototyping, I developed a full-scale cardboard model that confirmed the stool’s proportional clarity and further revealed structural issues that were hard to spot at smaller scale prototypes.
3D Modeling and Material Selection
Before manufacturing, I modeled the stool in SolidWorks, resolving structural challenges with complex joinery and producing detailed technical drawings. This process defined the final dimensions, tolerances, and assembly, providing precise references before making irreversible cuts.
I selected a challenging wood plank for its complex, colorful grain, recognizing its potential to become a defining feature of the design and contrasting the simplistic form.
Manufacturing
I used the joiner, planar, and table saw to simplify the plank into four boards, then used the router to clarify joinery, ensuring the stool’s assembly and structural stability. I also experimented with panel orientation, deciding where to emphasise wood grain on each panel in accordance to the overall composition. In addition to technical drawings, I created detailed shop drawings to establish a clear fabrication sequence, minimizing errors, ensuring proper tool use, and supporting safety and communication with shop monitors.
My Mistake While manufacturing the most complex part, a double dado joint, I pushed the board too fast across the router causing intense tearout that disrupted the clear perpendicular siloutette of the stool.
Fixing ItTo solve this, I removed additional area and produced a small shim, replacing the externally facing section to preserve the visual clarity of the stool’s sharp edges.
Outcome
Sofia Limena © 2026