The Studio Stool

An informal and flexible DIY design for creative workspaces.

Inspired by the basic utility of wooden crates and the spontaneity of “rough and ready” stools you see in rural settings or factory floors—The Studio Stool is a utilitarian piece of furniture designed for DIY fabrication.

The Studio Stool was initially conceived to hold pin-up boards within a design studio setting. From mood boards to bulletin boards, physical pin-up space is an important tool for collecting, organizing and displaying visual work—even in the digital age.

Permanent pin-up spaces on walls can be restricting and leaning boards against a wall feels raw. The Studio Stool allows you to put your pin up board wherever you need it: next to your work table, set up for a meeting or just in the middle of the room.

The Studio Stool has utility beyond pin-up space. It’s also a stool that allows for a few seating styles: horizontal alignment for computer work or meals, vertical alignment for a “saddle-style” for drawing or physical work. Additional seating options are always useful in an active workspace.

The Studio Stool is also a useful sign-holder: great for interior wayfinding or even outside as a sidewalk sign. A larger blank board can be slid in place as a room divider as well. The groove on the top works as a handle for easy movement throughout your workspace.

The Studio Stool is best realized as an open source “self fabrication” project—a DIY alternative to consumerism—intended to empower people to create and improvise tools for their workspace.

The Studio Stool is easy to make: you don’t need any woodworking expertise or specialized tools, you don’t need “nice” lumber and you don’t need a large vehicle to transport the wood. The two boards you need can be picked up for under $15 and could be carried on a bicycle. Most people can build one in 45 minutes (and the next few you make will go even faster).