Maian Torky
Ovile – Folding Office
The rise of the Covid-19 pandemic has propelled individuals towards a more digitalized form of working, driving the need for virtual work globally and domestically. This shift in behaviour has been difficult for individuals who live in small spaces as it was an unanticipated change, and it made finding a place to work at home a daily struggle.
As a result of the pandemic, the UK experienced a significant rise of the population working from home and sustained this rise even after the pandemic. Research has shown that employees felt more comfortable with virtual working and are preferring jobs with a home working lifestyle, this is because it allows for a more flexible routine, while saving a lot of time and money. This is in addition to business leaders predicting that home working will continue, and in office working will never return to the same rate
For my major project I designed Ovile. The name comes from the Italian word, meaning 'fold’ referring to a collapsible unit that is a compact alternative to a home office. The idea is that it blends with your interior space whenever it is closed. On the other hand, you can open it into becoming a home office with all the necessary components that are needed. Ultimately, this design provides employees and workers that live in small spaces with a physical and independent workspace, alongside an office-like experience which drives motivation and productivity.
This product contains all the necessary components of a mini office. It contains a large work desk with accessories and a built-in chalk board for posting notes, a rotating shelf that can be used as space for a monitor, and a lot of storage space for employees to store all their stationery and paperwork. When closed, Ovile looks like a storage cabinet that can easily be matched to any contemporary living room, or studio. When opened, it only requires space for the desk to be pulled out and placed wherever desired. That way, the actual work desk is in a semi-isolated space, giving the user the perfect balance between isolation and depth of view.
Maian Torky's designs
Student Biography
Having an interest in design and engineering, I chose to pursue this degree as a way of combining all my interests into one. Throughout the three years of study, I found myself interested in the aesthetic aspect of the projects, as well as presentation. The process of designing a product is also very satisfying to me because you can see the product come to life. From a concept to a final rendered image. After I graduate, I would like to explore my options and gain as much experience from several design areas, diversifying my skills as much as possible. I find furniture design and home accessories an area of interest as I feel this design industry is very flexible and allows for an unlimited scope of creativity. I can see myself succeeding in this specific environment, as well as graphic design and marketing.