Designer's Workspace

Reimagining Designer's workspace through ergonomic lens

Role

Product Designer Lead

Industry

Product Design

Duration

3 months

Design Context:

Design is universally recognized as an iterative process that demands significant manual effort, unlike many other professions. From ideation to execution, creating a meaningful product often requires starting from scratch.

Constantly moving around in search of materials and tools can make the work physically exhausting and time-consuming. This is where ergonomics and accessibility within the workspace become critical. For design professionals, especially those whose work is primarily digital and confined to a workstation, the layout and ease of access to tools and devices play a vital role in maintaining efficiency, comfort, and creative momentum.

User Research:

Target users: Students, Employers (Aged 18-35)

A survey for the chosen target audience was carried out amng 104 users to get deeper insights about the problems associated with workspaces.

Key findings:

Average time users spent at the table - (6-8 hours)
Things they frequently use on table include loose sheets, laptops, art and craft materials, other electronic appliances.
Lack of space, leg room, and unalterable surface height are the main restrictions when it comes to setting up
The majority of participants preferred an integrated drawer, shelves, and no drawer

Competitive Analysis (Market Research Insights)

By studying competitors, I was able to identify strengths worth adopting like ergonomic innovation and durable material use, as well as gaps that present opportunities for improvement. This analysis not only sharpened my perspective on design trends but also reinforced the importance of creating furniture that balances comfort, aesthetics, and long-term value.

Define

Design Context:

User Research:

Target users: Students, Employers (Aged 18-35)

A survey for the chosen target audience was carried out amng 104 users to get deeper insights about the problems associated with workspaces.

Key findings:

Average time users spent at the table - (6-8 hours)
Things they frequently use on table include loose sheets, laptops, art and craft materials, other electronic appliances.
Lack of space, leg room, and unalterable surface height are the main restrictions when it comes to setting up
The majority of participants preferred an integrated drawer, shelves, and no drawer

Competitive Analysis (Market Research Insights)

Define

Ergonomics: The Science of Ideal Fit Between Users and Work

Ergonomics is the science of creating harmony between people and their work environment. At its core, it focuses on designing tools, systems, and workspaces that support comfort, efficiency, and well-being. For designers, this means building a workstation that not only enhances creativity but also reduces strain over long hours of work.

Broadly, ergonomic challenges can be classified into two categories:

1. Physical Hazards
These arise from poor posture, repetitive movements, awkward seating, or incorrect desk and screen height. Over time, such factors can lead to musculoskeletal issues, eye strain, and reduced productivity. An ergonomically optimized workstation helps minimize these risks through proper chair design, desk layout, monitor positioning, and input device placement.

2. Environmental Hazards
These are external factors in the workspace that influence comfort and performance, such as lighting, noise, air quality, and temperature. An environment that is too dim, noisy, or poorly ventilated can distract and fatigue designers, hindering both creativity and efficiency. Ergonomic design addresses these by balancing ambient conditions with individual needs.

By understanding and applying these principles, a designer’s workstation becomes more than just a desk and a chair it transforms into a supportive ecosystem that enables focus, creativity, and long-term well-being.

Identified pain points:

No room to fit in extra gadgets like Cintiqs, tabs, and Wacom.
Standard storage shelves that limit workspace.
Most user tends to sit the whole day to accomplish their task
Unsuitably designed work desks can be unwelcoming for most
Most of the work desks are disorganised
Non-adjustable tables can leave them with pains.

Ergonomic Considerations at Your Work Desk

Designing your workstation with ergonomics in mind ensures comfort, reduces strain, and improves long-term productivity. Some key considerations include:

Chair Support → Choose an adjustable chair with proper lumbar support to maintain natural spine alignment.
Desk Height → Keep your desk at a height where your elbows bend at 90° and your forearms rest comfortably.
Monitor Position → Place the screen at eye level, about an arm’s length away, to prevent neck strain and eye fatigue.
Keyboard & Mouse Placement → Keep them close and at the same level, allowing relaxed shoulders and neutral wrist posture.
Foot Positioning → Feet should rest flat on the floor or on a footrest, avoiding dangling legs.
Lighting → Ensure proper task lighting to reduce glare and eye strain, while maintaining a comfortable ambient balance.
Breaks & Movement → Incorporate micro-breaks, stretching, or short walks to counteract the effects of prolonged sitting.
Cable & Clutter Management → A tidy desk minimizes distractions and creates more usable space.

Ideation:

Some of the exploratory ideas I sketched down from my findings:

The Art of Furniture Making: Balancing Function and Design

Furniture making is more than just craftsmanship it’s about understanding materials, joineries, and functional details that bring both durability and usability to life. While aesthetics matter, great furniture always prioritizes function over form.

Choice of Wood

The foundation of furniture lies in the wood used. Each type brings unique properties that influence durability, finish, and overall character:

Timber : Known for its strength and versatility, timber is widely used for foundational structures. It balances durability with cost-effectiveness, making it a reliable choice for everyday furniture.
Oak : Dense and highly durable, oak is resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for heavy-use surfaces like work desks. Its natural grain patterns also add a timeless, classic appeal.
Mahogany: A premium hardwood prized for its rich color and smooth texture. Mahogany is dimensionally stable, meaning it resists warping, and lends a sense of luxury to fine furniture.

Metals for Support & Moving Parts

Metals play a critical role in furniture especially in components that involve weight-bearing or movement:

Stainless Steel : Resistant to rust and corrosion, stainless steel is ideal for exposed parts and joints. Its strength makes it suitable for long-lasting support structures.
Powder-Coated Steel : Lightweight yet durable, powder coating adds a protective layer that resists scratches and environmental wear. It’s often used in hinges, sliders, and other moving parts to ensure smooth function.

Hinges and Joinery

Strong joinery ensures stability, while hinges determine usability:

Concealed Hinges : Sleek and modern, concealed hinges enhance aesthetics by hiding the mechanical parts. They also provide smoother operation and greater adjustability.
Joineries : Well-crafted joineries (like dovetails or mortise-and-tenon) provide long-lasting structural integrity, ensuring the furniture remains stable even after years of use.

Drawers and Cabinets

The type and design of drawers and cabinets should always serve practical needs first, mountable easy glide mechanisms, organized storage solutions, and accessibility before aesthetics come into play.

Design

Design Specifications:

Dimensions: 1200 x 750 x 650 (mm)
Mount type: Free standing
Built: Non-modular
Material: Solid wood
Height adjustable: Yes
Storage: Multi functional storages

Highlights of the design

Smart and ergonomic design for office and remote workspaces
Personalised space to balane work and life
Allows you to adjust height and tilt of the work surface
No use of bulky and heavy drawers
No use complex mechanism
Organising made much easier

Smart Ergonomic Office

Classy finish that matches your surroundings and home interiors

Surface Tilt and Accessory Tray

Design is minimal compact and stylish from the outside and ambidextrous in nature

Cable Organiser and Socket Unit

The design offers comprehensive cable management. A hole provided behind the table for drawing supply from the mains to the socket housing unit

Space Organisable Drawer

Partition units can be dismantled and reorganised according to user needs. Soft cloth pad is used inside the drawers for smooth look and feel

Metal Stopper

Stopper to hold the laptop, cardboards and other devices against gravity

Dual Powered Electric Motor

An electrical dual motor welded to the metal frame and fastened to the wooden body is controlled externally by an electronic control unit. Powder-coated steel metal is used for better durability and long rust free life

LED Light Source

LED Strip behind the back panel to add different flavor to the decor user have on the table to enlighten the mood anytime.

Storage with sliders / Detachable

Storage is built for the purpose of storing your infrequently used devices, gadgets and other valuables which users might need near the table but do not use frequently. Detachable storage to expand the unit to lodge more necessary items like paper, books, or even a plant to decorate the workspace.

Learning Outcomes:

"Design is never a process that begins from scratch; to design is to always redesign."

Through my exploration of furniture design, I have come to understand that every creation builds upon existing knowledge, materials, and user needs.

Ergonomics in Furniture: Designing with ergonomics at the core ensures comfort, safety, and usability. It’s about shaping furniture around people, not forcing people to adapt to furniture.

Material Properties: The choice of materials defines both function and experience. Woods like oak and mahogany offer strength and warmth, while metals such as stainless steel bring durability and flexibility. Every material carries a story that directly influences design outcomes.

The Art of Furniture Making: Craftsmanship lies in the details, joinery, hinges, finishes, and the harmony of form with function. True artistry comes from balancing tradition with innovation, creating pieces that are practical, aesthetic, and lasting

Ideation:

Some of the exploratory ideas I sketched down from my findings:

The Art of Furniture Making: Balancing Function and Design

Choice of Wood

The foundation of furniture lies in the wood used. Each type brings unique properties that influence durability, finish, and overall character:

Timber : Known for its strength and versatility, timber is widely used for foundational structures. It balances durability with cost-effectiveness, making it a reliable choice for everyday furniture.
Oak : Dense and highly durable, oak is resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for heavy-use surfaces like work desks. Its natural grain patterns also add a timeless, classic appeal.
Mahogany: A premium hardwood prized for its rich color and smooth texture. Mahogany is dimensionally stable, meaning it resists warping, and lends a sense of luxury to fine furniture.

Metals for Support & Moving Parts

Metals play a critical role in furniture especially in components that involve weight-bearing or movement:

Stainless Steel : Resistant to rust and corrosion, stainless steel is ideal for exposed parts and joints. Its strength makes it suitable for long-lasting support structures.
Powder-Coated Steel : Lightweight yet durable, powder coating adds a protective layer that resists scratches and environmental wear. It’s often used in hinges, sliders, and other moving parts to ensure smooth function.

Hinges and Joinery

Strong joinery ensures stability, while hinges determine usability:

Concealed Hinges : Sleek and modern, concealed hinges enhance aesthetics by hiding the mechanical parts. They also provide smoother operation and greater adjustability.
Joineries : Well-crafted joineries (like dovetails or mortise-and-tenon) provide long-lasting structural integrity, ensuring the furniture remains stable even after years of use.

Drawers and Cabinets

Design

Design Specifications:

Dimensions: 1200 x 750 x 650 (mm)
Mount type: Free standing
Built: Non-modular
Material: Solid wood
Height adjustable: Yes
Storage: Multi functional storages

Highlights of the design

Smart and ergonomic design for office and remote workspaces
Personalised space to balane work and life
Allows you to adjust height and tilt of the work surface
No use of bulky and heavy drawers
No use complex mechanism
Organising made much easier

Smart Ergonomic Office

Classy finish that matches your surroundings and home interiors

Surface Tilt and Accessory Tray

Design is minimal compact and stylish from the outside and ambidextrous in nature

Cable Organiser and Socket Unit

The design offers comprehensive cable management. A hole provided behind the table for drawing supply from the mains to the socket housing unit

Space Organisable Drawer

Partition units can be dismantled and reorganised according to user needs. Soft cloth pad is used inside the drawers for smooth look and feel

Metal Stopper

Stopper to hold the laptop, cardboards and other devices against gravity

Dual Powered Electric Motor

LED Light Source

LED Strip behind the back panel to add different flavor to the decor user have on the table to enlighten the mood anytime.

Storage with sliders / Detachable

Learning Outcomes:

"Design is never a process that begins from scratch; to design is to always redesign."

Through my exploration of furniture design, I have come to understand that every creation builds upon existing knowledge, materials, and user needs.

Ergonomics in Furniture: Designing with ergonomics at the core ensures comfort, safety, and usability. It’s about shaping furniture around people, not forcing people to adapt to furniture.

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