UO Home Designs
12.02.22
home(work)
Home Goods
Brief
As a part of my Interview Process for URBN's Furniture Design Intern Role, I was asked to design a collection of furniture items for the Fall 2023 collection. With WFH in full swing and Gen Z entering the workforce, I wondered what work from home could look like from Urban Outfitters.
Team
Industrial Designer Kush Vakharia
Final Round Interview (Canceled Internship)
Understanding
I went to two separate Urban Outfitters stores: one in Seattle and one in Atlanta. I tried to scope out their home goods sections and get a better understanding of the overall vibe and design themes. This gave me an overview of URBN's current vocabulary. Alongside this, I researched the state of work, as URBN's demographic is primarily a younger audience that is entering the workforce. The key sentiment found is that work from home is here to stay. URBN has yet to capitalize on that wave. For Fall 2023, I wanted to create an environment where young, entry-level employees could have a comfortable home office space.
Embodying
Through an iterative process, I began by ideating broadly, exploring forms and materials that evoke calmness, productivity, and comfort. After narrowing down to three core ideas—a desk caddy, a candle holder, and a soft laptop stand—I refined these concepts to ensure they worked cohesively as a collection. Each piece was carefully developed with flowing, clever forms and cozy, natural CMF choices, emphasizing functionality without sacrificing style. The desk caddy organizes essentials with an understated charm, the candle holder adds warmth and ambiance, and the laptop stand offers ergonomic support with a soft, inviting texture. Together, these designs create a thoughtful, elevated home office setup.
The details
The final designs blend functionality and style, elevating any home office. The Delilah Desk Caddy keeps essentials organized with elegance, while the Puff Laptop Stand offers comfort and versatility for both desk and lap use. The Mercury Candle Holder adds warm, ambient charm with freestanding and desk-hanging options. UO's Fall 2023 capsule creates a cohesive, practical, and beautiful collection for Gen Z workers to work from home comfortably.
