Steelcase Gesture

A high-tech office chair created for the way we work today

Mobile technology and changing work culture have not only changed the way we look at mobile computing, but have also had us develop nine new postures—from a single-handed cellphone operation to view social media updates, double-handed texting, to a cocoon position that some get into when they want to read something—and our chairs were not prepared for all this.

Designer James Ludwig at Steelcase conducted a worldwide posture study and realised the chair had to change. After all, that’s where we spend most of our time and we often complain of aches and pains. Working with his engineering team, James created Gesture, which is one of the most relaxing work chairs I have sat in for a very long time.

In the Gesture, a small lever under the armrests allows you to move them outward or inward, and also adjust their height to your liking. The armrests also have small zones to rest your elbows and these too can be adjusted. And just in case you like sitting on an armrest while talking to someone else, it can even take your weight.

All the controls are on the right hand bottom side of the chair. These are nifty. For instance, to adjust elbow pads of the armrests, a gentle turn of the control knob with two fingers will do.

Another control lets you change the stiffness of the ergonomically designed back support: so no more shoulder pains, back aches or stiff necks. If you love sitting with your legs crossed, the seat cushion and its material design support that too.

What Steelcase has done with its Gesture is amazing—no power supply required, and there is no processor in it. But it has genuine technology that gives this chair its flexibility to accommodate various body types and sitting preferences.

The Gesture is primarily designed as a work chair. It is available in multiple options of fabric colour, finish and texture to choose from.

Gestureoffice chairSteelcase