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Discover Chatdaroon “May” Narkphanit’s KAOI, where everyday objects become thoughtful designs with stories to tell.
We rarely think twice about the objects we use every day. A chair is for sitting. A lamp provides light. A shelf keeps things in place. Good design makes them work. The best design, however, does something more. It changes the way we see familiar objects, influences how we interact with a space and quietly shapes the moments we experience within it.
That belief sits at the heart of Chatdaroon “May” Narkphanit’s work. As the Founder and Brand Director of KAOI, she approaches design as more than creating beautiful objects. Whether designing furniture, everyday products or brand identities, she sees each project as an opportunity to invite curiosity, encourage interaction and create lasting connections between people and the spaces around them.
This idea extends beyond furniture alone. A lamp can become a sculptural centrepiece, a candle can tell a story through scent, and a brand identity can shape how people remember a place. Design becomes a way to create connections between people and the spaces around them.
This story explores May’s creative journey through the projects that define KAOI, revealing how thoughtful design can transform ordinary objects into memorable experiences while showing how Thai creativity continues to evolve through contemporary design.
Finding Her Design Language
“I am a multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur specialising in communication design, practical art design and experience-driven spaces.”
May’s journey into design began at Chulalongkorn University, where she studied Communication and Media Studies. Along the way, she built a foundation in branding, visual communication, creative strategy and concept development. Rather than staying in one lane, she explored everything from graphic and product design to web design, shaping an approach that blends different disciplines instead of separating them.
After university, May founded KAOI, a studio built around the idea that everyday objects can be practical without feeling ordinary. From furniture to home objects, each piece balances function with a sense of play, inviting people to interact rather than simply use it.
“My work explores the intersection of functionality and playfulness, creating designs that invite people to engage with them on a personal level.”
That same mindset carries through everything she creates. Whether it is a chair, a lamp or a brand identity, May sees design as more than something that looks good. It should spark curiosity, start conversations and become part of people’s everyday lives.
Objects With Personality
Through KAOI, May has built a body of work where function meets imagination. Her pieces serve a practical purpose, but they also invite curiosity and interaction. Each object reflects her belief that everyday designs can become more meaningful through the way people use and connect with them.
The EBBA Chair marked the beginning of May’s journey into furniture design. After years of working in branding and graphic design, she wanted to create something beyond the screen — an object people could physically experience. A chance encounter with a book about iconic chairs changed her perspective, turning a moment of curiosity into sketches, prototypes and eventually KAOI’s first product.
To bring the concept to life, May collaborated with THINKK Studio to develop the chair from idea to production. The result was the EBBA Chair, a modular lounge chair inspired by the bold colours and playful forms of the 1980s Memphis movement.
The chair reflects KAOI’s approach to flexible design. Interchangeable armrests, fabrics and cushions allow users to update the chair over time instead of replacing the entire piece. More than a first collection, the EBBA Chair became a turning point in May’s career. It marked her transition from two-dimensional design into physical objects and established the direction of KAOI’s furniture work.
“Some of our notable pieces include the BJORN button stools, inspired by the form of a button.”
The BJORN button stools show May’s playful approach to everyday objects. At first glance, they appear as simple, minimalist stools. A closer look reveals interchangeable seats available in three colour options, which allow users to refresh their space without replacing the furniture.
The design combines flexibility with practicality. The seats lift off easily, while the stackable structure makes them suitable for homes that need adaptable seating. Inspired by the movable plastic chairs often found in cafés and restaurants, May brings that same versatility into the home with a more personal touch.
“The HED marble lamp is crafted from pure marble with a striped design that highlights the natural character of the material. It was recognised as the ‘Top Pick Lamp of the Month’ in collaboration with It’s Nice That.”
The HED marble lamp began with May’s fascination with marble and its natural variations. During her travels in Italy, she noticed that each piece of stone carried its own colours and patterns. The experience changed how she viewed the material and its potential in everyday objects.
Back in Thailand, May worked with local marble craftspeople to transform that idea into a lamp. The process respected the knowledge behind the material, allowing the natural qualities of the stone to shape the final design. The base uses stacked marble slabs to create a striped pattern, while each piece remains unique due to the variations within the marble itself.
The result reflects May’s interest in simple forms and honest materials. The dome-shaped shade keeps attention on the marble base, which turns a functional lamp into an object that highlights the beauty of its own material.
Other KAOI pieces continue to explore the relationship between objects and personal experiences. The BURI series gives marble a new identity, with each piece made entirely from locally sourced marble from Saraburi Province, Thailand, and shaped by its own natural patterns. The MELT candles bring the same idea into scent, with four distinct characters and moods that add a personal touch to everyday moments.
A Different Way to Tell a Thai Story
When people think of Thai design, they often picture golden temples, intricate carvings or traditional patterns. These elements remain an important part of Thailand’s identity, but they are no longer the only way Thai creativity can be expressed. A new generation of designers is creating a different visual language — one that feels playful, contemporary and unmistakably Thai without relying on familiar symbols. Their work appears in homes, cafés, galleries and public spaces around the world. Instead of asking what Thai design should look like, they explore how design can make people feel.
May belongs to this generation.
“My work is driven by the desire to create what I wish existed and to challenge audiences to be part of the design process.”
Through KAOI and her branding work, she hopes to contribute to the evolution of Thai design by creating pieces that encourage interaction, curiosity and personal connection.
Her work has appeared in publications such as Architectural Digest and Design Milk, with KAOI pieces also featured at the MoMA Design Store in New York. Each international feature adds another voice to the growing presence of Thai design on the global stage, showing that Thai creativity can take many forms beyond traditional references. Yet behind these achievements, May’s approach remains simple: design should create meaningful connections between people and the objects around them.
“I believe in the power of design to inspire, provoke thought and create meaningful interactions. I am committed to shaping a future where Thai creativity is recognised and celebrated worldwide.”
Through furniture, objects and brand stories, May shows that Thai design can carry its own identity while continuing to evolve. It does not need to rely on familiar symbols to represent Thailand. Sometimes, it can be found in a playful chair, a marble lamp or an everyday object that makes people stop, interact and see something familiar in a new way.
