Focus Flips
Stackable and collapsible multi-purpose gadget stands designed to help freelancing professionals in shared and public workspaces to quickly set up their digital desk space, while also providing customizable "Do Not Disturb" messages for those times when one needs to seriously focus and work interruption-free. Focus Flips are made of paper, making them inexpensive and easily customizable.
Brief: Design a stackable or collapsible desktop item that costs less than $50
Duration: 1 month
Research + Process
Shared Work Space
According to a 2014 study by The Wall Street Journal, one in three workers are now freelancers, with the trend projected to increase to become the majority of workers within the next two decades. Additionally, many companies are doing away with the traditional office cubicle design, and as a result, shared workspaces are a rising trend.
The Modern Desk
Particularly among creative professionals, today's desk spaces are often cluttered with tablets, computers, laptops, smart phones, etc.
Desk of Veerle Pieters | Graphic Designer
The Pioneer Collective | Seattle
My direction
Freelancing professionals need a lightweight, collapsible object to quickly organize their electronic devices, while simultaneously providing the public display of "work time."
The Problem Criteria
Curb distractions in shared spaces + Organize digital devices + Portability
"There are certainly times when you want to recede into your own world to get things done. We issue every new employee a pair of really good headphones, complete with a little hang tag that says corner office."
Dave Schiff, Chief Creative Officer at shared workspace Made Movement
Ideation
Modelling Round I
My first round of sketch models was focused on creating compact, stackable designs, meant for simple manufacturing and dual functional tablet stands.
Problems
Too bulky and wasteful.
Modelling Round II
It was a complex challenge to create a collapsible stand that is made from a single sheet of paper, securely holds all digital devices of various sizes, supports tablets in both viewing and typing positions, and can fold into itself to fit inside a standard wallet.
