ALTR
Core experience, Bengaluru, India
Industrial design // experience design
Making your work, more you.
Industrial design
Concept development
Business integration
ALTR is a modular, personalized desk system for luxury offices.
The team was tasked to come up with concepts for office furniture to place in high end, dynamic workspaces, including home offices. My response was ALTR, a fully modular desk system designed specifically as a B2B solution for luxury offices. The core idea behind ALTR is to offer desks that can be hyper-personalized to each user, blending functionality with an unmatched level of customization to suit individual needs and preferences. The problem I aimed to address with ALTR was the common experience of cluttered and messy workspaces. Such environments often lead to confusion and create friction during the workday, which in turn reduces both efficiency and enjoyment. When a desk is disorganized, it’s harder to focus, more difficult to find what you need, and the overall flow of work gets interrupted. This constant distraction can make even simple tasks feel frustrating and slow. By solving this problem, ALTR seeks to create a workspace that supports productivity and clarity, allowing users to work smoothly without unnecessary obstacles.
Proposed concepts
The beauty in chaos concept was selected and taken forward.
Concept development
After finalizing the concept, we designed the desk to be compartmentalized into five distinct pre-configurations: academia, creative, fiscal, managerial, and technical. Each compartment functions as an entire desk with specific attachments tailored to different work needs, giving users a strong base to choose from. As a B2B product, luxury office spaces partner with the manufacturer to assign desks to employees. Users then log on to a website to personalize their chosen desk configuration. Once completed, desks are delivered and set up. When an employee leaves, the desk can be reassigned, allowing for new customization. The manufacturer evaluates parts for refurbishment or replacement, creating a cyclical, sustainable system that keeps costs manageable while delivering a highly personalized workspace.
Final desks
Academia
The academia desk was designed to meet the needs of academics who engage in extensive research, writing, and review. Recognizing the importance of handling books, papers, stationery, and personal effects like photos and plants, the team ensured ample space for organization and storage. This thoughtful design supports focus, creativity, and long work sessions by creating both practical and comforting environments.
Creative
The creative desk offers ample storage for tech equipment like drawing tablets and headphones, alongside space for figurines and sources of inspiration. A notice board at the back and a whiteboard module on the left provide surfaces to sketch ideas and plan. On the right, a combination of stationery storage and space for sketchbooks and journals keeps all essential creative tools within easy reach.
Fiscal
The fiscal desk provides generous document storage in front of and to the right of the user, allowing for quick access to important paperwork. Storage modules on either side accommodate personal items and technology such as calculators. A whiteboard on the left, accompanied by space for calendars and sticky notes, helps keep planning and reminders visible, while additional stationery storage on the right completes the setup.
Managerial
The managerial desk features a large noticeboard directly ahead, supported by personalization space to encourage a motivating work environment. On the left, space is allotted for calendars, sticky notes, and personal effects to aid in organization and planning. The right side offers extensive storage for documents, ensuring that important materials are both accessible and well-kept.
Technical
The technical desk includes a medium-sized whiteboard front and center for planning and collaborative problem-solving, along with personalization space and pouches for tools. Shelves and a pegboard on the left provide versatile storage options, while the right side includes a smaller whiteboard, noticeboard, and additional storage to keep essential items close at hand.
