Nola Boudoir Bench/Lap Desk

The Challenge

The Umbra Outliers competition challenged participants to create a standout product that fits Umbra’s brand identity while contrasting with what is currently available on the market.

Brief

Goal

• Create a new type of decorative and functional furniture.
• Offer a useful seat with storage, plus a portable desktop solution for eating or working.

Concept

A boudoir bench with a large, detachable lap desk.

Current market

Many companies sell boudoir benches, in styles ranging from minimal to decorative to elegant. Some include storage, but it is typically minimal or hidden.

Market potential

• An outlier: few function-focused products are currently sold in this category.
• Little competition for a multi-use product.
• A natural fit for Umbra’s brand identity.

Concept Development

We set out to push the boundaries of what furniture can do. Combining functions makes the product more valuable and versatile than others in the category.

The tray

A groove along the tray holds writing utensils or cutlery while in use. It also keeps the removable tray aligned with the bench when the two are connected.

Iterative variations

Designed for Shipping and Assembly

To ship cost-effectively, the bench breaks down into smaller parts. Modified lap joints let the end user assemble it alone with a single tool.

In Use

At rest, Nola is a modern boudoir bench. When needed, the top flips upside down to become a lap tray. The padded cushion rests on the user’s legs, leaving a wooden tabletop above generous storage.

Outcome

Nola’s aesthetic and function pair well, creating a distinctive piece. It became the class and professors’ favourite project, recognized for its accurate 1:1 model and the satisfying nature of its use case.

Designed by Caitlin Tran, Thomas Ferreira, and Trizza Mendozza