01 The Roli Play Stool
Roli is designed to bring back the joy of play into student collaboration spaces. Inspired by the ride-on toys of childhood, its rounded, mobile form invites students to move, swivel, and roll into conversation with ease. Unlike stiff desks and chairs that signal formality, Roli transforms study time into something light, social, and dynamic. With its attached tabletop for notebooks or laptops, it supports productivity while keeping the mood stress-free. Rooted in ergonomic thinking, Rollie balances play with comfort — encouraging natural movement, reducing the rigidity of traditional seating, and creating an environment where the body feels as relaxed and engaged as the mind. Roli isn’t just a seat — it’s a reminder that learning together can feel as natural and fun as playing together once did.
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Brief Overview
Problem Statement
HMW Statement
User Research
Market Research
Ideation
Design Direction
Final Product Outcome
Learning Outcomes
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UX Thinking Framework
Design Process
Product Visualization
Hand Sketching
3D Modeling
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SolidWorks
(3D Modeling)AutoCad
(Orthographic Drawings)Procreate (Visual/Graphic Design)
Adobe Photoshop (Photo Editing)
Problem Statement
From Rigid to Rolling.
After class, students want to gather, brainstorm, and work together — but stiff chairs and formal desks make collaboration feel serious, slow, and heavy. What if studying could feel lighter, more playful, and full of energy? By bringing the spirit of childhood play into shared spaces, furniture can encourage movement, spark creativity, and make teamwork feel natural. Rolling, swiveling, and shifting freely, students can connect, share ideas, and explore solutions in a space that’s as dynamic and fun as their imagination.
How Might We Statement
How might we transform rigid study spaces into dynamic, fun environments that inspire students to connect, share ideas, and learn together?
User Research | User Interviews
Understanding How Space Feels.
To validate my assumptions, I wanted to conduct user interviews to understand how students actually study in collaborative environments and how furniture influences their behaviors, focus, and overall well-being. By talking directly with students, I could uncover the subtle frustrations or positive experiences that are often overlooked - such as how static furniture might increase stress or how playful, flexible seating can encourage more open collaboration. These insights ensure that the design is rooted in actual user needs rather than abstract market trends.
Analysis | Empathy Map
For The Deep Thinkers.
Studying isn’t just about focusing on material - it’s about feeling mentally and physically at ease. Rigid study environments often signal that work must be serious and structured, which can create stress and limit spontaneous collaboration. To better understand these dynamics, I also created an empathy map to capture how comfort, emotions, and social interactions shape students’ behaviors. The map revealed that discomfort and lack of flexibility often lead to pressure and disengagement, while adaptable, inviting spaces foster ease, collaboration, and creative thinking. The key insight was that the furniture & environment directly influences students’ mindset — shaping whether study feels restrictive or empowering.
Design Process | Ideation & Concept Development
Early Rollie Explorations.
I created sketches to quickly explore ideas and visualize potential solutions based on the insights gathered from user interviews and the empathy map. Sketching allowed me to experiment with forms, layouts, and interactions in a low-stakes, iterative way, helping me test how playful, flexible furniture could address students’ needs for comfort, collaboration, and engagement. The motive was to translate abstract insights into tangible concepts, uncover design possibilities, and communicate ideas clearly before moving on to more detailed models or prototypes.
Design Process | Design Direction
A New Study Experience.
Every feature of this stool was designed with students’ needs in mind. Its rounded, playful shape softens the seriousness of traditional study furniture, creating a welcoming, approachable space. The stool’s ability to roll, swivel, and shift encourages natural movement, keeping students comfortable during long study sessions and making collaboration effortless. Lightweight and adaptable, it can be rearranged quickly to support both focused individual work and spontaneous group discussions. To accommodate students’ busy lives, it includes a dedicated storage space beneath the seat and a hidden sliding shelf that extends to either side, giving left- and right-handed users convenient room for laptops, notebooks, or drinks.
Design Process | Final Product Outcome
Meet Roli !
Roli is a playful office chair-stool hybrid designed to bring movement, creativity,
and collaboration into the workspace. Inspired by childhood ride-on toys, it encourages flexibility, casual conversation, and a more dynamic way of working.
If given more time, I would have conducted additional tests and studies on finding the most comfortable seat height and width for students when using stools. Throughout this process, I realized how deeply ingrained the traditional idea of studying is — sitting still in one place and memorizing. However, research shows that movement actually stimulates the brain, helping with memory, focus, and retention. This project reinforced that designing for active sitting is not only about comfort but also about supporting better learning outcomes.
Outro