Design a 3D-printed stool that reflects the mindset of Detroit’s automotive legacy. Your design should be optimized for additive manufacturing, made in PLA, ship flat, and assemble without any tools or hardware.
Detroit is the birthplace of modern automotive manufacturing. From Henry Ford’s assembly line to the design of some of the world’s most iconic vehicles.
Its influence goes beyond transportation: it shaped how we think about industrial design, production efficiency, and engineered beauty.
So no, we’re not asking for car-themed stools.
We’re asking for designs that borrow the thinking behind the machine:
The strength of a chassis frame.
The curve of an aerodynamic panel.
The efficiency of an engine block.
The repetition of a grille.
Layer Logic: Motor City Edition is a design challenge that invites you to bring Detroit’s engineering mindset into your work.
A transitional period in design, blending ornate Victorian influences with emerging industrial functionality. Characterized by handcrafted detail, rich materials like brass and wood, and the rise of machine aesthetics, it set the stage for modern design movements.
Embraced bold geometry, luxurious materials, and streamlined forms, reflecting a fascination with progress, glamour, and modernity. merged craftsmanship with industrial precision, influencing everything from architecture and furniture to fashion and graphic design.
Defined by optimism, futurism, and sleek, space-inspired aesthetics driven by rapid technological advancement and the rise of consumer culture. Embraced aerodynamic forms, bold colors, and synthetic materials, signaling a forward-looking spirit shaped by the space race, aviation, and mid-century modern ideals.
Bold, aggressive design that celebrated power, speed, and American automotive dominance. Leaned into exaggerated proportions—long hoods, wide stances, and sculpted bodies—with minimal concern for efficiency or restraint. It was about performance made visible.
Regulatory constraints, economic downturns, and a visible decline in design ambition— Industrial design during this time often reflected compromise: bulkier forms, muted aesthetics, and a shift away from performance toward safety, cost-cutting, and compliance.
Defined by minimalist aesthetics, global design languages, and a focus on seamless integration between form, function, and technology. Products are sleek, intuitive, and user-centered—driven by digital innovation, sustainability, and a borderless design economy.
Defined by sleek minimalism, aerodynamic efficiency, and a seamless fusion of hardware and software. With reimagined proportions, reduced mechanical noise, and digitally integrated interiors, this era reflects a shift from machine-centric to experience-centric mobility.
Rooted in mass production, mechanical power, and the birth of the assembly line. It reflects a raw, functional aesthetic shaped by grit, labor, and machine-driven progress.
Here’s all you need to know to get started.
Follow these guidelines to ensure your design meets the competition requirements.
Each individual part of your design must fit within a 14x14x14-inch build volume. Single parts may be split and put back together, however this must be factored into the engineering and not affect the stability of the stool. The complete assembly of the stool must not exceed 18 inches in height.
Your submission must be designed for additive manufacturing using only PLA. Ensure your design is optimized for 3D printing.
You may use up to 2 colors. The available colors are white, black, and gray. Possible combinations include all white, all black, all gray, white+black, white+gray, and black+gray. More specific colors may be specified in the renders, but only these colors may be used in the prototype.
The design should be able to be flat-packed. No additional hardware or tools should be required, it should utilize only PLA.
The infill percentage for your design should not exceed 30%.
Your design must support a minimum weight of 180 lbs.
All the key dates.
Mark your calendar and stay on track.
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Your work will be reviewed by a panel of designers, engineers, educators, and industry leaders who’ve built and evaluated products at the highest level.
Vi Dalwadi is the Client & Operations Manager at Makelab. She combines expertise in industrial design and operations to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions.
Lindsey Maxwell is Vice President at Seattle-based design company Teague. With over 20 years of experience, she helps companies use design as a business advantage by building strong, collaborative partnerships with industry leaders.
Katie Tucker has built her career around human-centered design, spanning research, design management, and customer experience. With cross-industry work and global academic roles, she champions the dynamic exchange between theory and practice.
Jody Williams is a designer and creative leader with a background at Ford Motor Company. He now works at the intersection of education, industry, and community, helping organizations in Detroit navigate change and thrive through design.
Taras Kravtchouk is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Designer of Tarform, an electric mobility company creating a new breed of sustainable motorcycles. He leads a design-driven vision to make mobility both beautiful and responsible.
Michael Bambino is the Founder and Creative Director of Facility, where he leads teams in developing innovative, award-winning products. He also teaches design at The Cooper Union and Parsons.
Top designs will be 3D printed by Makelab and displayed at IDC 2025 in Detroit.
Winners will take the stage. And that’s just the beginning - more to be announced.
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Layer Logic is the official design competition of IDC 2025.
All participants selected for the final exhibition must attend the event in person.
Attendance will be verified.
This year’s IDC theme is “Legacy.” Let your design be part of it.
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Design with purpose. Get printed. Take the stage at IDC 2025.
Submissions are open.
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