Ripple
Industrial Design, Furniture Design
The coffee table is the gathering point of the living room which facilitates activities and conversation. Through Ripple's perplexing opening mechanism, I strived to spark an element of delight and wonder to this interaction. Acting as storage, the mechanism reveals a compartment to store board games or even coffee table books.




The Mechanism
both sides open when one side is pulled, revealing the walnut compartment


The Inspiration
The mechanism is adapted from the double slider cards I used to make for others. It quickly became a favorite due to its element of surprise and delight, and it was a great conversation starter – perfect for a coffee table setting
Image Board
an inviting and natural feel

Sketches
after I decided to adapt the double slider mechanism, I began designing the form around it

Sketch Models
Form Model
To test both the mechanism and the overall form when opened and closed
1:1 Scale Model
To test if the mechanism would still hold up to scale
Fabrication
achieved with the joiner, planar, table saw, bandsaw, router, Shaper Origin, chisels, drawer slides, a seat belt, + more

The Close


NICOLE YU
2024