Repetitive daily tasks at a desk can often feel monotonous and uninspiring. Whether it’s answering emails, crunching numbers, or attending meetings, the routine nature of these activities can drain one’s enthusiasm. However, what if there was a way to instill some excitement and freshness into these mundane tasks? This is where Plat comes into play.
Plat cleverly blends everyday tasks with the art of cooking. Imagine the joy of preparing a delicious meal in your kitchen – the aroma of spices, the sizzle of sauce, and the warmth of the oven. Plat seamlessly incorporates these elements into desk-mounted products, bringing a breath of fresh air to the daily grind. I personally don’t really cook, but anything related to food would definitely excite me.
At the core of Plat’s design philosophy lies the fusion of familiarity and novelty. By infusing elements from the kitchen, such as the interaction of the opening water in the sink and the scent and light of the oven, Plat reconstructs them into innovative products that redefine the desk experience. The name “plat,” meaning “cooking” in French, perfectly encapsulates the brand’s identity and mission.
One of Plat’s standout features is its custom typography logo, inspired by the diverse shapes of kitchen cutlery. The logo’s geometric sans design blends soft and sharp edges, creating a cohesive and organized visual identity. Additionally, Plat’s graphic elements draw inspiration from common cooking experiences, simplifying forms such as sprayed sauce, stacked plates, and water vapor into sleek and functional designs.
Plat offers 2 desk products designed to enhance productivity and comfort.
1. Wireless Charging Dock:
This multifunctional cradle serves not only as a wireless charging station for smartphones but also as a trigger for initiating work sessions.
The interaction begins with the lifting of the cradle, which activates an ambient light, signaling the start of focused work. As the user settles into their tasks, the identity timer embedded within the interface architecture comes into play. Drawing inspiration from the gradual heat buildup in cooking, this timer employs color interactions that intensify over time, subtly guiding users to recognize the passage of time. It also has additional wired charging ports at the back with a loop to keep the cables safe from damage.
Moreover, Plat’s Wireless Charging Dock goes beyond mere functionality, offering efficient task management tools through its intuitive dashboard interface on the smartphone. Users can effortlessly track urgent goals and sub-tasks, monitor weekly work time and concentration levels, and access detailed analysis reports for insightful self-assessments. The inclusion of a storage box at the bottom ensures organizational ease, accommodating essentials such as pens, chargers, and stationery, while a charging inlet and cable loop prevent clutter and damage.
2. Desk Lighting:
In a nod to the comforting ambiance of a kitchen after a satisfying meal, Plat’s Desk Lighting draws inspiration from familiar culinary motifs. This innovative light fixture features upper indirect lighting that illuminates workspaces during task-oriented sessions. However, its functionality transcends mere illumination.
Upon completion of work time, the indirect lighting gently fades, signaling a transition to rest and relaxation. Simultaneously, a diffuser at the bottom releases subtle scents, evoking a sense of calm and prompting users to take much-needed breaks. Operational usability is paramount, with a labeled button allowing for easy brightness adjustment and a base that accommodates smaller items like phones or stationery.
The lighting fixture boasts 60-70 mini LED lights strategically spread across the top pallet, ensuring uniform illumination. Additionally, a connection inlet at the bottom ensures seamless integration with power sources, offering convenience and flexibility.
With less than a week till we experience one of the most prominent total solar eclipses in probably decades, you’ll surely want to make sure you’re well prepared for the moment. That means not just wearing safe glasses that let you observe the eclipse, but also making sure that your expensive smartphone camera doesn’t get damaged by the sun’s rays too. Yes, you heard me, your camera’s sensor, much like your eyes, is vulnerable to the sun… and prolonged exposure can quite literally burn the sensor the same way solar rays could damage your eyes. So if you’re all equipped with eclipse-friendly glasses, why not prepare your smartphone with some appropriate protection too? After all, you’re definitely going to want to take photos of the eclipse, right??
The VisiSolar Smartphone Photo Filter is a card-shaped filter that’s designed to help you capture the magic of a solar event safely on your smartphone. Whether it’s the partial phases, the breathtaking diamond ring effect, or the ethereal totality, this filter guarantees the best shots of the cosmic phenomenon, without worrying about any damage to your phone. Quite literally the size of perhaps a credit card or a table coaster, the filter sits right in front of your camera lens, blocking out harmful rays from hitting your phone’s sensor. You can still take great photos of the eclipse, just without the potential harm. Think of it as protective glasses for your phone.
Available in a two-pack for just under $13, the VisiSolar filters feature a stiff paper outer border, and a specially coated solar-imaging film in the center. Place the film right in front of your camera lens, fire up the camera app, and zoom in on the sun without worrying about anything. The filter automatically blocks out the intense harmful rays, letting you observe the eclipse in glorious fashion. Just make sure you zoom in as much as possible for the most incredible footage ever! And when the eclipse has passed, you can use the filter to take regular photos of the sun too! If your phone (or DSLR) has a great zoom, you’ll even see a few sunspots on the surface of our nearest star!
One of the things I have to do to not worsen my carpal tunnel syndrome and other things that can lead to repetitive strain injuries is to elevate my Macbook screen. I spend sometimes more than eight hours in front of the screen so I need to have more ergonomic tools to help manage my posture and not cause eye and muscle strain. Sometimes though these things can also be inconvenient, both to my workflow and my wallet.
Designer: Mickey Linskens
WOULDSTAND is a wooden laptop side that is ergonomic, sustainable, and they’re hoping eventually, affordable for ordinary employees (more on that later). The main purpose of this is to elevate your laptop screen to lessen the strain on your wrist and arms when using your device for a prolonged period of time. You can use it for laptops, tablets, and even books if you’re reviewing for exams or you’re just reading a lot on a table. It is designed to make sure that your screen is at arm’s length and the top edge is slightly below eye level.
The stand is made from renewable materials like FSC eucalyptus and Starplex plywood. It actually looks like a puzzle piece and can be easily assembled and there are also adjustable elements since different people would use it for different purposes. It’s also light enough despite the wooden material so you can carry it around without straining yourself as well. You can also use it even if you’re not at a table, like placing it on your lap or whatever stable surface you’re working from.
Since it’s locally produced and uses renewable materials, it’s also not as affordable as some in the market that are more mass produced. So the plan is to market it to companies by making the stand easily brandable. This way companies can buy it, have their logos included in the stand and then give it to their employees or to their customers. However, they’ll still sell it direct to customers for those who can spare € 30,00 to protect their muscles.
One of the things I have to do to not worsen my carpal tunnel syndrome and other things that can lead to repetitive strain injuries is to elevate my Macbook screen. I spend sometimes more than eight hours in front of the screen so I need to have more ergonomic tools to help manage my posture and not cause eye and muscle strain. Sometimes though these things can also be inconvenient, both to my workflow and my wallet.
Designer: Mickey Linskens
WOULDSTAND is a wooden laptop side that is ergonomic, sustainable, and they’re hoping eventually, affordable for ordinary employees (more on that later). The main purpose of this is to elevate your laptop screen to lessen the strain on your wrist and arms when using your device for a prolonged period of time. You can use it for laptops, tablets, and even books if you’re reviewing for exams or you’re just reading a lot on a table. It is designed to make sure that your screen is at arm’s length and the top edge is slightly below eye level.
The stand is made from renewable materials like FSC eucalyptus and Starplex plywood. It actually looks like a puzzle piece and can be easily assembled and there are also adjustable elements since different people would use it for different purposes. It’s also light enough despite the wooden material so you can carry it around without straining yourself as well. You can also use it even if you’re not at a table, like placing it on your lap or whatever stable surface you’re working from.
Since it’s locally produced and uses renewable materials, it’s also not as affordable as some in the market that are more mass produced. So the plan is to market it to companies by making the stand easily brandable. This way companies can buy it, have their logos included in the stand and then give it to their employees or to their customers. However, they’ll still sell it direct to customers for those who can spare € 30,00 to protect their muscles.
As someone who spends almost the entire working day (and sometimes beyond) at a desk and in front of the computer, you can say that I face a lot of issues when it comes to my posture, my eyesight, and my muscles. I’ve tried several ergonomic products and also exercises to help me take a break from my regular work and literal position but I’m still having some regular problems from being a desk potato. I know that there are a lot of risks that will eventually (and some have already) make an appearance in my health journey so products that can help alleviate the strain on my body are always welcome.
Designers: Haneul Kang, Dohui Kim, Dagyeong Kim, Jeongyoon Kim, Yunseo Jung
A group of designers have come up with concepts for a series of products that can help with this problem. The collection is appropriately called DESKRISK as we all know that even if we are sitting seemingly safely at our desks, we’re still exhibiting risky behavior that will eventually need some sort of intervention. The first product is a desk clock that will remind us to take a break from staring at our screens to take better care of our eyes. The screen will blur after some time which resembles the dry eyes we experience a lot of times. After you’ve rested for a few minutes, you can move the button on the clock sideways to wipe away the blur and start the countdown all over again.
The next product is for those who need help with their posture while sitting at the desk for a long time. Well this is for if you’re using a lamp light source at your desk. The lamp has a light that will gradually move downwards from the angle you set after an hour. This way you are reminded to move along with the light source so that we’re not just bowing down towards our screens. There’s a gauge next to the lamp that also helps you track how much time has elapsed. You can also adjust and reset the angle by moving this gauge bar.
The last one may probably be the most useless for me, at least from what I understand from their product description. It’s a magazine rack that will supposedly resemble carpel tunnel syndrome or at least the overstretched wrist ligaments that come from having the same position at your keyboard for a long period of time. The sagging fabric will lengthen according to the size or weight of the books or magazines inserted. How this will help me with my wrist problem is unsure at this point. But aside from that, the other Deskrisk products are pretty useful for people like me who are at risk with the nature of our work.
We all know it’s bad for our physical and mental health, but there will always be times when we have to go through the late-night crunch at home. That’s not even considering how some actually have work hours that begin only after the sun has set. Working long hours into the night in the solitude of your home or room can be physically taxing and emotionally draining, which is why there’s now a trend to bring some joy into workspaces through accessories and decorations. This “deskterior” movement tries to energize and even help people remain productive even in the dead of night, and this collection of dark-themed product design concepts injects a little ingenuity and even some attitude to your nighttime quests.
Designers: Jiye Lee, Seoyeong Jang, Junhong Yang, Taeyoon Kim, Jeongeun Kim
There’s no shortage of desk accessories and gadgets that try to boost your productivity at work, but most of them make the presumption that you’re on a regular 8 to 5 clock. Of course, those products would work any time of the day, but there’s something to be said for products designed for a specific purpose or around a certain theme. YAZAK, which is a play on the Korean word for midnight snacks, is a collection of these “deskterior” accessories that help keep you company and stay productive during those late-night shifts, and not just because they have a dark color scheme that better fits that time of the day.
TEMPO, for example, is both a desk lamp and a timer. In addition to the main overhead light, its arm also has a trail of light that decreases as time passes until it’s completely empty, at which point the lamp itself turns off. It’s meant to tell you to take a break and visually inform you of the passing of time.
TEMPO probably works well with DODULE, a modular scheduler that’s made up of a stack of discs. Each disc represents a project and the deadline for that project. A tiny ball that sits on top marks the passage of time, letting you know how long it will take to finish the project that the disc represents.
Still somewhat related to the notion of time, PLOP is a cup coaster that has a simpler mechanism. You simply push the ball down to its lowest point to start the timer. The sphere will slowly rise and give you a signal when it reaches the top. That’s time for another break, this time to reach for a glass of water to keep you hydrated.
BITLE is a bit more sophisticated and abstract, a device that’s meant to let you know if you’re not sitting properly. It uses sensors to detect your body’s posture and move the top plate to symbolize the lack of balance. The concept doesn’t indicate if the ball will fall off unless you sit with the correct posture, though that’s more likely to increase your stress rather than relieve it.
Last but definitely not least, SWIBLE is a side table with a swiveling top, offering extra space to place other things without messing up your desk, including those “Yasik” snacks you might need to keep yourself awake. It also has a hidden compartment under the lid for even more storage, though you probably need to remember to take things off it before opening it up. And when you’re work is finally done, the underside of the table can actually hold a tablet so you can sit back and relax with your favorite shows.
There are plenty of tips and pieces of advice on how to decrease stress levels at work, particularly on your desk. Keep your workspace clean and tidy, put objects and pictures that inspire, and add green plants that remind you to take breaks and live. The latter, however, isn’t always possible in all environments, and some might not be too keen on the added responsibility of keeping that plant alive, even if it’s a succulent. That’s not to say you have to give up the benefits of having some green on your desk, especially not with this collection of accessory concept designs that try to bring life to your work by taking inspiration from Nature’s miracle workers.
Designers: Gahnghyun Yi, Jiwon Lee, Chaeyeon Ha
Plants have long been a source of inspiration for creators of all disciplines, including scientists, engineers, architects, and, of course, designers. The natural beauty these silent creatures possess is surprisingly not that easy to recreate, but we can easily distill the essence of their forms and translate them into designs that hold meaning in our lives. These desk accessories, for example, try to nudge your mind to think about real greenery, eliciting the same emotions of peacefulness, calm, and relaxation that a plant would bring if it were actually standing on your desk.
It’s not a literal imitation, of course; just an interpretation of the basic forms and shapes that plants possess. The Greenery Pencil Holder, for example, is a cylinder with a curved plate partially wrapped around it at an angle, almost like a bamboo stem with a leaf growing out of it. This “leaf” actually functions as a container as well, creating two spaces to place your pens, pencils, and other long stationery tools.
The Greenery Clock is a bit more abstract in comparison, with a stem that curves upward and a leaf that droops down from the top, forming a minimalist digital clock. There is actually a second leaf that’s less visible since it’s lying flat on the desk, creating a space to put small items on. The latter design is repeated in the Greenery Tray with two horizontal “leaves” providing the same flat container. What makes it different, other than the lack of a clock, are the elongated “stems” that act as a hook for hanging key rings and other items.
The Greenery Cable Holder is admittedly a bit of a stretch to imagine as leaves growing on a leaf vein. After all, it’s just a set of circles with cutouts for inserting a cable. One side of the circle is flat, allowing the cable holder to be stuck on desks or walls. With this set, you can add some green hues to your desk without sacrificing space, deriving both utility and aesthetic from simple designs, thanks to some inspiration from Mother Nature.
One of the most essential and integral pieces of furniture in an office is an office chair since we spend the majority of our day typing away or completing tasks there. But what about a chair design or seating system that doesn’t simply focus on you and your seating requirements? What about a modern-day seating solution that serves as a comfortable and cohesive space for co-workers to sit, work, and engage with one another? The US furniture brand KFI Studios just came up with the perfect design – Dotti Seating.
KFI Studios unveiled an upholstered seating collection that serves as a cozy and harmonious space for collaboration and relaxation. Designed by a design firm called Union Design, the Dotti collection includes a low-back lounge and a high-back lounge chair with a curved plywood back, pillows, and soft circular seats.
The lounge chairs can be customized in a fixed or swivel base and can be upholstered in a wide variety of textiles, with the choice of white, ash, European beech, or dark chestnut laminate. This offers a lot of variety and options to create a seating system that complements your modern office space well. You can pick colors and materials that create a well-designed and appealing work environment.
The collection is also made up of a circular ottoman and a pouf seating option with a leather handle for maneuverability. The ottoman and pouf can be rearranged to create a seating configuration that is comfortable and sociable, allowing co-workers to huddle together to collaborate and coordinate. The Dotti collection can also serve as a lounging space, where employees can go for a little break, to unwind from work for a bit and catch a breather. The potential and scope for the Dotti collection are endless, and versatile configurations can be created in accordance with different offices, and their diverse requirements.
Perfectly picked office furniture can truly set up a working space. It can create a comfortable and conducive environment that lets you work productively and comfortably. And one of the most important furniture pieces in an office is our chair. However, conventional office seats can be quite boring. They’re often mundane-looking, although we don’t doubt their functionality. In an attempt to spruce up typical office chairs, Scandinavian brand Fora Ferm released the Bud Chairs designed by Skogstad and Wærnes.
The Bud Chairs are a playful and whimsical alternative to the traditional office chairs we’ve probably come across all our lives. The designers wanted to create something that would support a collaborative and comfortable working environment, without being overly extravagant, or visually loud. “We wanted Bud to be able to stand alone and to function in larger numbers, without creating a wall of backrests,” said designer Fredrik Wærnes.
The chairs include a metal frame available in a variety of leg formations, including a variant with caster wheels. The frame supports a padded seat cushion and a cylindrical wraparound crafted from foam. The backrest has a spherical form accentuated with four narrow legs, that provide the seat with a contrasting yet geometrically intriguing form. It instantly stands apart from the conventional office chairs, as it seems to tether on the boundary between an office chair and a dining table chair, but somehow manages to safely stay rooted in the former group.
The different elements of the chair are available in a wide range of finishes, from a spectrum of fabrics to leather upholstery options. They can be repaired and replaced, an initiative on the part of the brand. The chair has plenty of bright color options to choose from, allowing you to add a pop of color to your work environment, breaking the monotony of a modern office space. Different colors can be mixed and matched to create a fun and vibrant office, where furniture pieces can and will serve as subtle mood uplifters.
It doesn’t matter where you’re working, whether at home or in a commercial life, both these scenarios involve a desk! A desk is probably one of the most important pieces of furniture in our modern lives, only because we spend the majority of our day on it. You may be typing away to glory, munching away on a snack, or simply fidgeting with a random object – you do end up spending hours on your desk. And hence, your desk must be neat, tidy, and uncluttered. Not only will this improve your work routine and productivity, but it will also help you maintain a clearer and more streamlined mindset. And, I’ve discovered that adding limited, quality, and innovative products to my desk setup can help me in achieving these goals! And we’ve curated a collection of smart and well-designed desk gear to help you achieve peak productivity. Happy working!
1. POD
This minimalist timer lets you enjoy the simple benefits of a Pomodoro timer without relying on a clunky analog timer, especially one that looks like an awkward little tomato on your desk.
Why is it noteworthy?
Dubbed POD, this unique tool combines the feeling of an analog timer with the convenience and utility of an electronic device in a simple, minimalist, and appealing form. The only control it has is pushing the puck down like a button, which then starts the countdown.
What we like
Minimally distracting, utilizing only flashing lights to get your attention rather than sounds or vibrations
What we dislike
Replacing the battery seems a bit tedious and annoying
It is quite tiny, so can be easily misplaced
2. Grovemade Note-Taking Kit
Named the Grovemade Note-Taking Kit, this innovative kit helps you effortlessly and efficiently capture down, process, and store notes, hence boosting your daily productivity, and ensuring your process feels simple and free-flowing.
Why is it noteworthy?
The kit includes a refillable notepad with dot grid paper and a solid metallic base, alongside a display rail to hold and store your notes and devices, while also offering a vertical organizer that stores your notes until you need to use them.
What we like
Provides a neat workdesk, that helps you complete the important tasks at hand, and elevate productivity
What we dislike
Occupies a substantial amount of real estate on your desk, not well-suited for smaller desks
3. Quick-Access Organizer
Dubbed the Quick-Access Organizer, this minimal and compact organizer is designed to ensure you never lose all your essentials. It is a well-designed organizer that helps you perfectly organize your essentials so you’re never in fear of losing them, allowing you to have a tidy desk that boosts productivity.
Why is it noteworthy?
This smart organizer isn’t simply a storage solution, it revolutionizes your desk, using magnetic wizardry to keep your essentials organized and easily available. It perfectly combines form and functionality, offering an excellent 21st-century design philosophy.
Equipped with a rotating mechanism that will take all the annoying guesswork out of storage
It is a lid and tray, making it a dual-functional product
What we dislike
Those who possess a larger array of items will find this organizer limiting and may need a bigger one
It can be concerning having magnets around certain electronic devices or cards, hence you need to be selective about what you store
4. Nemonic Gen 2
Dubbed the Nemonic Gen 2, this inkless, thermal, and wireless printer lets you effectively and efficiently print your notes and even images on Ultra Sticky Notes, and they won’t easily fall off!
Why is it noteworthy?
The tiny printer can be connected to your desktop and mobile devices allowing you to print out any notes that you may have written, drawn, or typed on the connected app. You can even integrate it with the Microsoft Office apps, and Slack and Zapier too, allowing you to maintain smooth productivity.
What we like
It lets you print out your notes directly and has a de-curl feature too
What we dislike
They don’t sell refills individually at this point, which is inconvenient if you run out of the notes
5. Fold
Designed by Ganti and Teixeira Design Studio, Fold is a 3D-printed lamp that casts its light downwards and upwards serving as a functional lamp, as well as a source of some good lighting. It’s a unique lamp that helps you work properly, while also letting you relax.
Why is it noteworthy?
The wall light doesn’t need to be turned on or off, nor do you need to adjust it, as the design itself brings two kinds of light together. It is a space-saving design as it can be mounted on the wall, or placed on a small desk or side table.
What we like
Offers both ambient light and direct light, helping you save up on owning multiple lamps
What we dislike
It looks a bit bulkier when used as a desk lamp, as compared to when it is wall-mounted
6. Effortless Standing Letter Cutter
Having an organized desk is quite important, as it helps you work efficiently while boosting your daily productivity. Having the right tool can help you create the ideal organized desk, and one such tool to add to your desk is this unique letter cutter.
Why is it noteworthy?
This innovative letter cutter reimagines a standard office tool, and efficiently slices through paper, while also doubling up as a chic paperweight ensuring there is no unnecessary clutter on your desk. A decluttered desk is the best solution for boosting productivity!
Has a precision cut that ensures that no messy scraps are left behind
Doubles up as a paperweight, ensuring there is less clutter on your desk, making it a dual-functional product
What we dislike
While fantastic for standard envelopes, it is not versatile enough for those bulkier packages or intricate mail, so you may need a separate letter cutter for those
7. The Note
Called the Note, this small desk whiteboard lets you take notes with the utmost efficiency. Except it’s no ordinary note taker, it has a few tricks up its sleeve and adds some fun and spice to your work.
Why is it noteworthy?
The unique whiteboard can twist or flip over, giving you twice the space to write your notes down effectively and efficiently. One side features a dotted grid surface, while the other side can be plain, or they could have the same design on both sides.
What we like
Features a multi-purpose vertical screen that allows you to view the time, calendar, and appointments synced with your phone
What we dislike
The screen doesn’t show videos, a function that some people may need for their work
8. SCROOM
Dubbed SCROOM, this portable keyboard looks like a wireless mechanical keyboard at first glance, however when you slide down the keyboard or slide up its bottom, it unveils a display that’s almost the same size as the keyboard.
Why is it noteworthy?
This unique display is a touch screen that’s filled with large-sized buttons, sliders, and other controls that can help you multitask on a tablet that has otherwise pretty limited space for multitasking.
What we like
Features a to-do list so that you don’t have to switch back and forth between apps
What we dislike
The sliding mechanism is a risk, especially for devices that get carried around a lot
9. Current Task Light
Called the Current Task Light, UK-based Jones and Partners designed this simple, minimalist, and highly functional lighting design that would make an excellent addition to your work desk. It occupies minimum space while helping you work better and more efficiently.
Why is it noteworthy?
The award-winning task lighting + charging concept is a multifunctional product to aid in your daily multitasking and is perfectly complementary to both residential and commercial spaces.
What we like
Allows coworkers to plug their devices across a large desk while working together
What we dislike
It’s a concept right now, so we don’t know how the final product will turn out
10. Wipe
Dubbed Wipe, this unique and innovative whiteboard notebook features an eraser allowing you to write, erase, and write things over and over again. This helps you note down all your precious ideas and thoughts, letting you work in a streamlined and efficient manner.
Why is it noteworthy?
Wipe has a comfortable personal size that is a tad bit smaller than A4 paper. It is portable, and you can write on it, take a photo that you could save or send to the cloud, erase all of it, and write again. You don’t need any preparation to use it, it is a fast and effective product!
What we like
Equipped with a newly developed Mag Force system that combines magnets and rubber brands, building a handle that also doubles up as a pen holder
What we dislike
You need to specifically use a dry-erase or whiteboard pen, and not a permanent marker
