In the vast universe of contemporary design, the Frog armchair stands out for its unmistakable identity. Conceived by architect Piero Lissoni in 1995 for Living Divani, this seating piece has elevated simplicity to an aesthetic principle and essentiality to a style statement. The Frog is not merely a piece of furniture; it’s a true benchmark that has successfully blended tradition with avant-garde, deeply embedding itself in the collective imagination.
Beneath its apparent lightness, the Frog conceals meticulous design. Its supporting structure, a robust yet discreet steel frame, accommodates upholstery that can vary from woven natural or synthetic fibers, giving the chair an almost floating appearance. This design choice reflects a desire to merge the excellence of manual craftsmanship with the clean lines typical of industrial design, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor settings.
It was precisely during the celebrations for the Frog armchair’s thirtieth anniversary that we had the pleasure of meeting the brilliant illustrator Leonie Bos. To conclude the festivities, Living Divani opened the doors of its headquarters in Anzano del Parco (CO), paying tribute to this design icon. The company’s exhibition space hosted a presentation of the creative process behind the Frog30th catalogue, entirely illustrated by Leonie Bos.
Leonie Bos shared her creative process, which combines initial digital sketches to define composition and color interaction, with the final addition of hand-drawn lines for an artisanal touch. Her method begins with “a very quick digital sketch” to align the vision with clients. Subsequently, she focuses on composition, prioritizing “how blocks of color interact” and the emotional impact of “structure or brushstrokes” over the initial narrative. Although her approach is predominantly digital, Bos enjoys integrating “hand-drawn lines,” scanned and added to her drawings, demonstrating a flexibility that adapts the technique (analog or digital) to project requirements.
The Frog chair proved to be a fundamental muse for the artist. Leonie Bos emphasized how the various versions of the Frog and its distinctive design – particularly its “low base” and “casual look” – were crucial elements in “directing the rest of the elements” in her illustrations, demonstrating how a design icon can inspire and shape new artistic expressions. Bos explained that the choice of a specific Frog variant – “the wired chair or the metallic one with the holes in it or the padded chair” – is crucial and occurs “simultaneously with creating the setting and the composition,” as each version “creates an entirely different image in the end.” The Frog’s design, with its “low base” and “casual look,” is for her a true “guide for the entire image,” allowing her to “direct the rest of the elements” in the illustration.
In the illustrator’s work, every element contributes to creating a final image rich in depth and character, celebrating a legacy that continues to evolve.
