Designing the Desk Shelf System - Part Two
Back in the design studio after cruising all over Portland to look at workspaces, Ken and Sean worked to create a complete system for your desk.
In Part One
Ken and Sean visited over 600 desks, at 11 offices all across Portland. The goal was to learn what people needed at their workspace, and we decided to tackle it head on by visiting and observing. We observed that people needed a solution for multiple screens. The workspace was evolving, so we decided to design something totally new to suit it.
Ken had built some rough prototypes and physical ideas in the shop, mostly settling on a simple shelf concept. Sean made an initial pitch to use cork for the legs—only to be denied on account of the cork not looking very good.
Ken had built some rough prototypes and physical ideas in the shop, mostly settling on a simple shelf concept. Sean made an initial pitch to use cork for the legs—only to be denied on account of the cork not looking very good.
The Legs
Sean was convinced that cork could work for the legs, it was just a matter of pushing the aesthetic possibilities a bit.
Cork comes in a wide variety of grains, which has a significant impact on how it looks. Sean researched an alternative source for finer grained cork, and he incorporated a metal plate into the middle of the leg. He presented his findings to Ken, and it got the thumbs up. Cork it was!
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SEAN KELLY: Once I got the ok to go for the cork and metal legs, I had to figure out how to blacken the cork, to go with the Walnut shelf. Another task in itself!
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Sean figured out that the best way to get the rich, black color we wanted was to use Sumi ink, a traditional ink used in Japanese calligraphy.
The cork legs also helped with a major hurdle—shipping costs. The desk shelf was the largest product we’d ever developed, and we needed to find a way for it to ship flat. The lightweight cork legs were easy to assemble (no tools needed) and made for a much more cost-effective shipping method.
But questions about the legs still lingered. How many legs would we need? Would there be multiple potential orientations, or one set conformation? Would the legs incorporate additional functions?
But questions about the legs still lingered. How many legs would we need? Would there be multiple potential orientations, or one set conformation? Would the legs incorporate additional functions?
Simplicity vs Modularity
Adding features to a product is always a slippery slope. It’s easy to go too far. The more features you add, the more complicated, expensive, and less focused the product becomes. Designing something that’s simple and well done is way more satisfying than one that has 80 features, none of which are totally dialed in. So, we always strive for simplicity in our designs. Functional, but focused. We believe that you create a better product when you resist the temptation to add too many features.
The desk shelf is a great example of this philosophy in action. Sean created multiple high-level concepts, all outlining different directions we could take the product. One had numerous leg slots, to allow the user to customize the orientation and spacing of the legs. It was very modular. Another concept had a cord-organizing leg with a hole in the middle. And, we considered a simple concept, with three fixed leg positions, providing stability without complicating things. After discussing each, we opted for the simple three-legged version. It creates subtle zones for organizing, and the assembly is simple and straightforward. It’s not customizable, it doesn’t solve every problem, but we think it’s the best solution we could design in a single coherent product.
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"We know everyone works differently, so the workspace solutions have to account for that with flexibility. It’s not modular, but the simplicity creates flexibility."
SEAN KELLY
Lead Product Designer
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The system was starting to take shape: The large upper shelf for your monitors, legs for an ergonomic boost, and a smaller shelf designed to store your tablet or laptop when closed.
The workspaces we had observed were so varied, we realized that our shelf alone wouldn’t solve all workspace organization problems. So, we continued to design!
The workspaces we had observed were so varied, we realized that our shelf alone wouldn’t solve all workspace organization problems. So, we continued to design!
A Tray for Your Things
Sean had mocked up a bent metal paper tray concept a while ago, and we brought it back to the design table to see if we could give it more organizational capabilities. From our research we noticed that almost everyone has file cabinet-like solutions in their workspace, usually below the desk, but they rarely use them! They might throw stuff under there from time to time, but they’re not a part of actual work.
Use it how you like, use it how you need to—making the product simple makes it better.
Our first pass involved studying an integrated drawer design, fixed between two of the desk shelf legs. As we considered it, we realized that a drawer would restrict the flexibility of the desk shelf. If we integrated a directional drawer, only one shelf orientation would work, with the legs on the right. We believed that added flexibility was more important.
Additionally, the drawer design would have been more expensive, due to additional hardware and engineering. Integrating it directly with the desk shelf would have made the whole product more expensive than we were comfortable with!
So we nixed the drawer concept and focused on a tray. Sean studied and created a variety of machined cork pockets, settling on a simple set to hold the things you most often keep at your desk. The tray is designed to slide neatly under the integrated metal shelf, but works just as well on its own, resting on a table or desk completely separate from the desk shelf. It’s a supplemental piece that can help your workflow—making the product simple makes it better and more versatile.
Additionally, the drawer design would have been more expensive, due to additional hardware and engineering. Integrating it directly with the desk shelf would have made the whole product more expensive than we were comfortable with!
So we nixed the drawer concept and focused on a tray. Sean studied and created a variety of machined cork pockets, settling on a simple set to hold the things you most often keep at your desk. The tray is designed to slide neatly under the integrated metal shelf, but works just as well on its own, resting on a table or desk completely separate from the desk shelf. It’s a supplemental piece that can help your workflow—making the product simple makes it better and more versatile.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=76a725d9598fb7b9b53d4d2f1988115b 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=f254ab926b5b410433c0f1a8aeff613f 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=03be11ec0bb85b6219206af6f06bff5e 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=2bf342b181cd867190a9c3702f3c2d7c 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=140dcca933431c635a496069bdabca4c 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=dacff229831e60e104145b1c27465deb 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=9153b109c33f3c2f600dc1e13d34903b 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=23d6262e06ee1627ad4b3c607a19d992 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=e13c4a9501b03b5e04d2d7e6e7cdf310 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=7144ece65b49238737797dc74eaa984c 2250w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2500&s=cf695cb7ec7eca79745567587e4d2457 2500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-walnut-desk-shelf-galB-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=3000&s=d5ca1ecf1aaa00e307c996f0bde15482 3000w)
Bulldoze No More
We noticed an interesting behavior when we’d visited offices around town—when people switched from working digitally, like sending emails, to something analog, like sketching or taking notes, they had to bulldoze everything on their desk off to the side. It was an obvious pain point.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=c0f0218c2c89404f6eafccf32a31726b 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=88769674a15cff70769885206bb27f39 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=e3a2a07579254510329efc791494ba7d 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=96dc771d1cca13cf6a99c04b5583b665 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=089bb979cd309746e11c02294a03874a 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=7ff8adcb92cd138bf9c94294589ac284 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=3e3c658a9c5f76d182ed198644bf356b 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=6c5c123547e9589020f33878605abecb 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=ff5afe722971ecc52405aefa4840af8e 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=d57ead0bd3bd71682a6a270203c46f5b 2250w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2500&s=a8a658b209927c89e75bb082212d6454 2500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-maple-desk-shelf-galB-J5.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=3000&s=53ba0163c7a122708d4acd3300d2f3b5 3000w)
We realized that the large ‘garage’ space under the shelf would be the perfect space to stow your keyboard and mouse when you needed to clear desk space—and, what if you could slide everything under by moving the smaller version of our desk pad, sized just right to slide between the shelf legs? A magic carpet for your desk, and an end to bulldozing your things!
KEN TOMITA: The fact that you can tidy up the whole desk surface with a simple motion is awesome. I use the pad all the time. Slide it out of the way to make room for sketching or writing.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=8161a7782440835b56dc1fc7af139853 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=b91b2173ac12b0e6984b9913c208863f 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=f28b5fa2e71bc891f2b48cc4583dabc7 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=5b2858382d5b2010fa39651b405910f8 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=522adb642cfe2a4278e222543651df60 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=29b0d01b310876823ad0192c14afc633 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=12a50b579a45068ba02afc02f7354b25 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=01498ddc9b9460a39579a26de390e21d 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=096cc4df96b14ecec3d29be06b5a6fae 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=20535d12eaf6ab6c139483a185fdeaf7 2250w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2500&s=395cfea2be753b996a297da6dfaf1cf2 2500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=3000&s=08ed6543f605572b1d6a3dd5fcdad124 3000w)
![](https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 200w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 300w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 500w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 700w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 900w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 1100w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 1300w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 1500w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 1800w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 2250w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 2500w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 3000w)
A Lift for Your Laptop
The hardest piece of the system to design was actually the laptop lift.
We designed the original laptop stand for someone who worked exclusively on their laptop, with a separate keyboard and mouse. But, through our research, we’d observed that the laptop was often only one of multiple screens people would use. Going to and from meetings or traveling, they’d take the laptop with, leaving the laptop stand exposed on the desk.
We designed the original laptop stand for someone who worked exclusively on their laptop, with a separate keyboard and mouse. But, through our research, we’d observed that the laptop was often only one of multiple screens people would use. Going to and from meetings or traveling, they’d take the laptop with, leaving the laptop stand exposed on the desk.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=2cf35cf960a3a58dc0fb5569deab2eeb 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=83da67477e269a9b78846ce3cc3ce6fe 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=16f681473ab778b156323ede343c1514 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=e49b79a0c85ecd076a6e416f6e0323ca 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=4332d93aab74d09ffcc88bec804cb7e2 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=2db697710ba401d0e39debc261925680 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=76495b1a8f0872b439b07dcc97058e9f 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=5e1c7ebabb8609018694c6a7f2bba498 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=2f38873fce61f3d1b5f1648650f74242 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=a23d6c840c540b3574c8826e38401600 2250w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2500&s=5bc2775f6e104e34767c48a1b25f74f8 2500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-dark-laptop-lift-galB-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=3000&s=d1ca2ca6630f04415a4a7c54095bdca6 3000w)
We saw two design problems here: how to raise the laptop screen for ergonomics and workflow, and how to make a laptop stand that looked appealing even when the laptop wasn’t there. Additionally, we wanted to create a solution that allowed for direct typing.
Sean worked through various explorations using bent metal to create a pretty, and pretty radical, solution.
Sean worked through various explorations using bent metal to create a pretty, and pretty radical, solution.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=adbbc05fdd9106b2cbd450474c2ec362 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=9fc6c2214886721306583c207077f66e 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=aace1f4cd67e9b9c6107d2edaf16459e 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=3c38e9a5ea9074f68cd031918dbb482e 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=a41e7a8365b58757755d88998ce7c622 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=0e7b85517c437866d5c006d371451b6a 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=99adee6de9ef24bd79ebb02b9561dab5 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=c666183509eb6461457a86994c795a7b 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=d98958fce5b2892d12ee1281ca41456e 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=31b0d6dbcdbe555bda1c912bda0037ee 2250w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2500&s=2bc4a61cddce107158fc22a6172ee493 2500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2FLP0013-designing-desk-shelf-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=3000&s=1ef6fa41844de4f1f15ce0fa65b24b80 3000w)
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Sean went back and forth forever with our vendor, but despite our best efforts, the full metal version was going to be way too expensive. Sean got creative. Using a cork base simplified the overall manufacturing, simplified the metal bending, and allowed us to make the laptop lift at a more reasonable price point.
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"Ironically, the laptop lift alone ended up taking about 80% of the total time we spent designing the desk shelf system. We have to push our designs to match our expectations, but also what’s feasible to produce in real life."
SEAN KELLY
Lead Product Designer
He integrated the stop design we’d created for the laptop stand, and used wool felt as a soft surface, providing a nice visual contrast to the wooden shelf top. It could sit on the top of the shelf, or function solo on a flat desk surface, typed on directly.
All At Once
The whole desk shelf system started with you, our fans and customers. We set out to create something functional and beautiful that would make your workspace better. We love how the pieces all came together to solve problems we observed in real workspaces.
Thanks for the inspiration—we’re excited to keep listening and learning, to help make your workspace somewhere where you can get your best work done!
Thanks for the inspiration—we’re excited to keep listening and learning, to help make your workspace somewhere where you can get your best work done!
Meet the Players
Each piece is available individually, allowing you to mix and match to dial in your desk.