Modiku
A versatile desk, built with personality and portability in mind.
Year
Nyker Visions
2024
Internal Project
Brief
Design a piece of home office furniture, suitable for low batch manufacture. The solution must be desirable, easy to assemble, and offer consumers a range of colourways.
Outcome
Developed and produced Modiku, a flat-pack desk bursting with colour and personality. Designed to be cut from two sheets of material, Modiku provides flexibility in both colour and function, offering a unique twist on an office staple.
The product was initially launched to custom order on a standalone website, before small batches were produced.
Key Design Features
Comes in a range of vibrant and attractive colours
The entire product can be flat packed for storage or moving
Minimal waste as the product is cut from two full sheets of stock material
Suitable for small batch manufacture so can be made to order
Championing User Expression
The majority of conventional office furniture utilises a safe Scandinavian aesthetic to appeal to the wider market. We explored a range of unconventional materials in an effort to bring something more exciting to the space. By fabricating the desk from Valchromat, we can offer consumers a range of vibrant colour combinations, separating Modiku from its competitors.
The decision to fabricate the desk from two sheets of material expands the range of creativity on offer. The product can be produced in low volumes, meaning consumers have the opportunity to request their own unique colourway, further adding to the value proposition.
Reducing Complexity for Mass Market Appeal
Installation and assembly can often be a barrier to entry for consumers thinking of buying new furniture. A founding principle of the Modiku design was to simplify this, and offer a product that required no specialist tools or expertise to assemble.
The simple slotted design is the product of this line of thinking. By including all required fixings in the desk on delivery, and designing the legs to interlock, Modiku can be assembled in a matter of minutes with a solitary screwdriver.
Identifying Pain Points to Increase Product Value
Transporting furniture is often a painful part of moving home. We wanted to create a desk that was sympathetic to this consumer experience, elevating the product offering as a result. This insight influenced the decision to fabricate Modiku from two sheets of stock material, allowing us to neatly conceal the legs within the thickness of the tabletop when flat packed.
With the addition of a strap, Modiku is now fully portable and easy to store if required. This feature allows Modiku to adapt and grow with consumers, separating it further from the competition and adding to the value proposition.
Leveraging an Online Presence to Increase Product Success
A key component of the product launch was building and publishing a website for Modiku, and using it to track early product interest. By adopting a strategy of selling the product in small batches, the website was tailored to engage with potential consumers and gather insight into market appetite.
This approach allowed us to launch the product without needing to invest in a large amount of stock upfront, and ultimately contributed to project success. To view the website in full, click here.
