Graduate shows 2016: Bucks New University graduate Sebiha Macit has taken inspiration from her travels to Turkey to design this colourful stool that can be used both indoors and outdoors (+ slideshow).

The Sarma Stool is one of several furniture pieces merging "the Middle Eastern experience with Western tastes" created by the student, who is part of the final class to graduate from Bucks' furniture design programme.

The weatherproof stool is based on ones Macit observed being used in Turkish coffee shops, where people sometimes socialise for hours, moving their seats from table to table, and from inside to outside.

"I thought I could work with this idea of having seating that could be used both indoors and outdoors, in the home or even for establishments like these, that would look good and fit in with both environments," Macit told Dezeen.

"I wanted to keep the style of the weaving but change the materials to create a more contemporary product."

To achieve this aim, Macit replaced the traditional rattan seats with a design woven from plastic threads in four complementary shades of blue and green. The colours can be customised to order.

The threads are wrapped around a steel frame that's bookended with European Oak handles to maximise the stool's portability.

Macit, who grew up in east London and is of Turkish descent, was guided in her design by a quote from British designer Robin Day, creator of the classic plastic school chair: "Metal for strength and lightness, rubber for comfort and efficiency, wood for touch and appearance."

Macit went on to win the Robin Day Centenary Design Project award for the best design concept, which was awarded amongst her graduating class.

They will be the final class to graduate from Bucks' BA in furniture design. The High Wycombe-based university axed the programme in 2014, despite it being considered the UK's leading furniture design course.

Macit, who chose Bucks because it was the only university offering a dedicated furniture design course, said her and her classmates' experience had been affected by the closure.

"A lot of technicians and tutors were made redundant, which meant less guidance and help for us," said Macit. "Also since we didn't have second- or first-year students, this meant we didn't get the help that previous third years usually get when it comes to the making of the furniture."

"It was really a hard struggle to get to the end of the year, but we made it through with the help of our tutors Alex Hellum, Fiona Davidson and the help of our very few technicians."

In addition to the Sarma stool, Macit produced two other products during the course: the Sofra "table full of food", which is designed to facilitate eating while people are seated around it on the floor, and the pebble-shaped Üçgen nesting tables.

Macit's work was exhibited at the New Designers 2016 exhibition in London from 29 June to 9 July. Other student work on display included George Riding's gridded metal coffee table with integrated objects, and Stephanie Monty's prototype ostomy device that provides an attractive alternative to traditional colostomy bags.