Case study: Nao Stool — a solid-oak stool designed and built by hand by Talanja Doan during a pre-study internship at das kleine b in 2018, inspired by traditional Japanese zaisu chairs.

Nao oak stool against a dark green curtain

Pre-study Project 2018

Nao Stool

Handcrafted from oak wood during my pre-study internship at das kleine b. Nao is inspired by traditional Japanese zaisus — its clean, minimalist form slips into any interior.

Product DesignDesign for Manufacture

Pre-study Internship · 2018

Handbuilt Stool

The inspiration

A modern stool rooted in Japanese tradition.

Nao draws from traditional Japanese zaisus — low chairs without legs, defined by a small backrest and a quiet, minimalist posture.

A subtle nod to that heritage gives the modern stool a visual anchor.

Moodboard & sketch.

Moodboard reference for the Nao stool — Japanese zaisu inspirationMoodboard reference for the Nao stool — quiet, minimalist Japanese interiorMoodboard reference for the Nao stool — oak grain detailNao stool concept sketchesNao technical drawing

Development.

Nao stool development process: cutting, drilling, assembling, gluing and finishing the oak wood components

A piece that pays homage to its lineage.

The small backrest is the single design gesture that ties Nao to its zaisu roots. Everything else stays out of the way — clean lines, oiled oak, no visible fasteners.

Three detail shots of the Nao stool stacked beside a full hero shot in a living room

Get in touch

Let’s build
something playful.

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