I mentioned in a previous post that one of my next projects is going to be a gaming desk for Nicole and I. I planned on spending the next week working on the design and developing a plan so I can get started as soon as possible. As I was working on my initial rough sketches, I came up with an idea. And frankly, I still don’t know if this is going to be amazingly cool or just plain dumb, but it sounds like fun so what the heck! I am thinking about allowing the community to help me design this piece. Obviously I will need to make some of the more general decisions since the piece has to fit in a particular place and serve a specific function. But there are a lot of other decisions that need to be made and there’s no reason I can’t look to you guys for opinions. At the very least, I hope it will be a thought-invoking exercise.
So here’s how I invision it going down. I’ll start rough sketching and getting my ideas organized. I’ll keep you guys updated on a daily basis, taking feedback the entire time. And when I hit a cross-road, I will specifically ask for your opinions and perhaps even put up a poll. Sometimes the hardest part is making the choice between two or three great ideas. So that’s where the “committee” part of this comes in.
So what say you my fellow wood-chuckers? Are you up for it? If so, I’ll get started right away.
50 Responses to “Design by Committee”
I once built a “Dueling Gaming Desk” for me and my wife back when we played hours and hours of World of Warcraft together. She was Alliance, and I was horde, so it seemed fitting to design a desk that had us facing each other, and hiding our screens.
At the time, our game machines were custom built glowing works of art, so I designed them into the desk, making them appear to float off the ground when you walked in the room.
So much potential for such a cool piece of furniture. I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Rob
Well I hate to disappoint, but this gaming desk will be a little more conservatively-designed. Primarily we are looking at pretty much a trestle table. Trying to avoid it being a complete uni-tasker. Although the thought had crossed my mind about building something crazy specific for gaming. But ultimately I decided to take the more conservative approach.
Heck ya, can I vote for a tauren warrior inlay?
haha! NO! :) Maybe an undead warlock…..
Cool, Marc. May you can post sketchup updates and we can submit edits?
I’ll do as much as I can in SketchUp. But frankly when lots of curves are involved, I usually head right to the shop and draw things out full-size. Maybe once I get some of my measurements nailed down, I’ll get some help on the curved aspects in SketchUp so we have a template to to work with.
I vote yes on the vote to determine if we get to vote.
(the inlay idea is awesome)
I think you should pull some of your design from something in the game. I dont know much about WOW, but you could pull ideas from the game that only gamers would know. Or at least put in a secret drawer.
You know for a while there I was considering building a line of furniture directly inspired by games. I was going to call it World of Woodcraft or Wood of Warcraft or something equally trademark violating, haha. :)
Very interesting idea Marc and I can’t wait to see how this pans out. My only comment is that I’d like to see you really push yourself on this one. Do something really different. Outside your comfort zone. Maybe some Maloof-esque joints or a waney edged top with butterflies to hold it in together, for example.
I’d love to see all that too but I have a couple limitations. First and foremost is time. I need to get the desk done fairly quickly, so if I go too far out there it will slow me down big time. Second issue is I don’t really have access to any truly unique and compelling chunks of wood. I think I am just going to have to hit the hardwood dealer and pick up some mahogany or something equally beautiful and fancy.
if you can count on me ….. I’m very modern design,,,, although study design, architecture, photography and video, I like what medern, hands to work
I vote for voting.
Before I became a programmer, I spent a lot of time playing games. I probably spent more time playing America’s army & the Earthsiege series than any human ever should. One thing that immediately comes to mind is making sure the trestle is extra high, so Nicole doesn’t accidentally kick it. Having your character get a beat down is bad enough, you don’t want sore shins to go with it.
What kind of gaming? Computer gaming? Old school pen and paper D&D? You could have some built in dice towers and a pop up dungeon master screen!
Excellent! I’m pretty new at this but it sounds great!
Good luck Marc… I have to do most things by committee at work (in an unnamed university) and this will either be a joy or the 7th level of Hell without the protective gear.
Please just keep in mind that this is a project so it must have an end even if that end is to scrap it and go in an entirely different direction. I know this sounds way too negative but I just consider it being realistic…wait a minute, this is a gaming table! What was I thinking? Full steam ahead (bent wood is possible) and damn the torpedoes (especially if they are cheap ones from China) …
Seriously, keep your hand on the controls of this one.
Cheers
John
So I think the first big decision will be whether to go smooth and “maloofy” or a little more rigid with some curves. I am leaning toward “maloofy” but that will limit the amount of input I need. Hmmm…….
I think the maloof would fit your lifestyle a little better. You need plenty of room for equipment etc. How about something with pull-out leaves on the extreme left and right for the nights you have dinner there?
You mentioned the idea of a trestle table. Since trestle tables were at their height of popularity in the Middle Ages, I’d consider pushing it in a medieval direction. Heavyweight construction of white oak. Maybe fumed to darken the wood. Maybe a distressed finish to make it look antique. Possibly some brass or iron decorative touches. A close cousin to arts and crafts, as a matter of fact.
A Google search of “How to make a 14th century trestle table” will bring up a free PDF set of plans that may be of some interest.
DD
If it all goes horribly wrong, at least I’ll know I played a part…
You mentioned possibly going with a trestle table. I think that might be a natural for gaming. Trestle tables came into popularity in the middle ages. Why not a medieval theme? Heavy white oak construction. Maybe fumed to darken the wood. Or even a distressed finish to give it an antique look. Possibly a bit of brass or iron decorative touches. Actually very much related to arts and crafts in style. Plus, quick to build.
A google search for “How to make a 14th century trestle table” will bring up a free PDF set of plans that may be if interest. The plans are simple but leave lots of room for being creative.
DD
Sorry for the double post. My application crashed and I thought the first post was toast. :->
DD
I’d love to see where this goes! I think a direct link into the forum where people can discuss and post drawings / photos / links would be a good idea.
I’ll stay tuned!
-Paul
I hate having to write this, given this is your project, your site, etc. But you and your podcast were the impetus for me getting into woodworking, and sparked all sorts of ideas on how I will never have to use ill-suited “furniture” for my computer setup ever again. Now that you plan on addressing your own computer/gaming setup, and you are making – a table.
And as far as woodworking instruction is concerned, is there really a lack of instruction out there on table construction? There is certainly a dearth of information on proper computing furniture.
As to your “unitasking” comment (how very Alton Brown) frankly, your entertaiment center is a unitasker, and rightfully so. Why short change your and your wifes computer setup?
Hopefully, if you do go through with the table, you will address the need for quality content on how to build a proper computer desk/station/whatever at some point in the future.
Hey Rich. I wouldn’t expect you to necessarily understand our particular needs here. The desk in my office is where I need a “proper computer desk”. I have lots of equipment, printers, multiple monitors, papers, pencils, and all that jazz. My gaming setup is an entirely different animal. Our gaming rigs are minimalistic (a pc, a keyboard, a mouse a monitor, and speakers). We also do our gaming in our bedroom, as a means of separating the work area from the fun area. So I really have no need for anything beyond a simple table with lots of space above and below. Its all about comfort, relaxation, and style. There’s just no need for all the clever storage you might include in a regular desk.
And as much as I’d like to address the lack of quality desk-building videos out there, I am first addressing the lack of a quality gaming desk in my bedroom. :) The current one is about to tip over any day now.
In the future, I will be re-doing our office furniture and I’ll get into the nitty gritty of my particular office needs at that time.
At least incorporate some kind of cup holder! As a gamer I know i get thirsty after a violent confrontation!
Thanks for the response. Actually, your needs are similar to mine as I’m aiming for more comfort, smaller footprint and less a monolithic slab, or something that would seem more suited to an office space.
I was thinking along the lines of a sturdy wall attahced shelf for the LCD (maybe like a flat box, with a small alcove for a USB hub, or such), a small wheeled cabinet for the PC with a vent on top, but could still have a plate and beverage placed on it. Perhaps a shelf/drawer underneath for the random odd/end, and something like a wide “TV Tray” on wheels for the keyboard and mouse that can be rolled to to the user – over the knees, and could be moved flat against the wall when not.
I’m thinking the first 2 components should be easy enough, it’s the rolling input shelf that needs some thought.
Sounds like fun; but I think you’re going to need to give us all a crash course in World of Warcraft before we can be the slightest help in designing such a piece. This is for you and Nicole? Is the game played facing one another? Deck of cards? Tokens? Poker chips?
Perhaps that would be an illustrative little mini: Run through what it is that the “clients” want out of the piece and demonstrate how you as a professional builder would distill out of that a set of design requirements.
Rob,
World of Warcraft is an online role-playing game which has millions of players.
Physically their set up is sitting side by side with separate PC computer setups.
Alot of the time is spent with 8-32 other people in a collaborative effort in real time called *Raiding*. This requires you to be at the computer for hours at a time.
The before picture is pretty illustrative. (I think that was located in Marc’s blog about upcoming projects).
Well, as you said, it might be a brilliant or a stupid idea to ask for suggestions ;]
I think considering a way to hang or shelve the PC’s underneath the table would give you alot more room on the top for living. I played WOW, I understand LIVING at a desk ;]
Also I would consider some type of slide out panels under the top to use for keyboards or more importantly the dinners you have at the desk as well maybe rather than trestles or even consider both.
I vote for a built in snack bowl and beverage holder. Any frost badges involved?
I like this, my wife and I game too and I’m interested in seeing how this develops.
Right now we are at separate desks and I have thought about making a desk large enough for both of us, but I like the table idea. Like you said earlier, when you are gaming all you need is a place for your gear, storage is not a necessity.
Regardless of whether you decide to do it by committee or not, I do hope you go through your thought process, i.e. size limitations, table orientation, against a wall or out in the open, facing each other or both on the same side, etc. It would be a good exercise for anyone on here who is thinking about doing commission work to be given some parameters and then have to design something for client approval.
One comment on design Marc,
If you need some ideas then spend time in WOW and look at the table designs there. You might find a themed one that is particularly interesting to model your table after.
Who wouldnt want a trestle table from Ironforge?
Here’s what popped into my head: channels or raceways underneath the table for cables, power strips, etc. Wouldn’t need to extend far below the table of be a big deal. Just some cup-hooks would do in a pinch. Here’s the neat part: pop-out inlays in the top, so you can feed the cables through the table. When it’s not a gaming table, it’s a table with nice inlay work!
Count me in! I have been toying with a desk design for myself, but of course it is turning out way too linear and boring. Maybe seeing your WOWness will shake loose the cobwebs for me.
Mark,
Sounds like an interesting idea. I’m sure you’ve thought about cables since you’ll have two on the same desk, twice the cables… One of the projects I’m been thinking about is a desk where the cables are hidden. I’ve been thinking of something like this: http://www.bluelounge.com/studiodesk.php
What really caught me about this one was the way they were able to hide the cables and the mat just looks like a writers mat. What about one of these each side?
Chris
another great idea marc. I look forward to seeing the progress of the build from concept to product.
Wow I really think I’m going to disappoint many of you here. While I called this a “gaming desk”, there really is very little that will separate it from a normal table. That’s just how Nicole and I prefer to do our gaming, with lots of leg room and lots of horizontal space. There really isn’t even much to be concerned about with wires as we each have a convenient outlet and our machines right next to us. The wires are easily grouped and routed directly to the PC. And the only reason I can fit this project in is because its going to be a fairly quick build.
I gave it a lot of thought yesterday and I am leaning towards a pretty basic sculpted cantilever design. The softness of the curves and edges will certainly have that Maloof look. And if the “design by committee” thing doesn’t pan out on this project, let’s keep it in mind for something in the future, because I think it would be a lot of fun!
I vote for the Maloof influence with the base made from curved laminated members that attach to the top and maybe go on to support a shelf the way the legs on a Maloof chair support the seat and go on to be the backrest. The bottom of the top could be cut with some complimentary curves.
I’m an avid gamer myself, and I was a programmer for years, so I spent a lot of time at my computer desk. When I went to get a new desk, almost nothing was suitable. I usually run at least 2 monitors, sometimes up to 4, and frequently (especially in my programming days) I’d be running 3 or 4 computers at once (laptop on the side for movies, music and email, file server/backup, test rig, programming/gaming computer).
Most desks have the little cubby or cabinet for the CPU. Generally, those are too confined for a gaming rig, which generate an impressive amount of heat. The problem with leaving them out in the open is that they can also be pretty noisy with all the fans. (My most recent computer build took the fan count down to 6 fans from 12).
The other problem is your monitor(s). When you had CRT monitors, 2 20″ monitors were so deep that you couldn’t keep them on the surface of a standard size desk because they were so deep. The LCDs are cheap and take up less space front to back, but the factory stands still take up a fair bit of space. One thing to consider is how high you need your monitor off the desktop – If your chair sits high relative to the desktop, you’ll need your monitor elevated on some type of stand. (I use a double arm hydraulic adjustable monitor stand clamped to the back surface of the desktop but I’m down to two monitors now.)
Wire management is another issue. Most gamers go with a wired mouse and keyboard, speakers, monitor cabling, etc. I’m sure we’re all familiar with the rat’s nest that computer cables can become, so it’s generally a good idea to plan for a dedicated enclosed wire run or at least a wire rack and adequate desktop cable holes.
I’m in for the vote on the voting thing!!!! My vote is we vote for the vote to partake in the collective bargaining thing about your and Nicole’s computer table. What does she think about the needs of the table and your group design thing??? Dimensions of the area, location of outlets, size of chairs, how much elbow room (punch/kick free zone)…Let the fun begin!!!
if a simple table is what you want then maybe you can make it Wow-ish with a lot of pyrography WOW “art” and symbols across the slab (if you make it a thickish slab you can always remove all the “art” from the top in case wow isn’t your thing in the future).
Long-time mmo gamer here too. Raids get crazy, so here’s my list of must-haves for any custom gaming table:
- No sharp corners! Especially on the edge(s) facing you. The amount of time a raid requires means sharp edges set you up for carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Tiltable keyboard / mouse tray(s)! The best would be to have separate trays for both, one a little larger than the keyboard and another a little larger than the average mouse pad (to reduce having to pick up the mouse a lot). Something like this Adjust and Swivel tray (http://www.comfortchannel.com/.....S_010=4319) is ideal but more expensive than I’d want to pay. But with trays like that you could build the tray to sit flush in the desk normally, then pull out to match whatever position you felt like sitting in without killing your wrists.
- Cable raceways to keep those cables out of the way while still giving your mouse cable (if you have one) plenty of space to move with you. Thanks to Beechwood Chip’s idea for the cable raceways, though I wouldn’t put anything underneath that would snag. Surely something along the lines of a u-shaped tack could provide support for the cables.
- Cup Holders! Cold drinks sweat, and gamers tend to drink a lot of them. That water does bad things to wood, but also to electronics (like your mouse)! How about cut-out holes with removable glass or ceramic inserts for easy clean-up?
…too many more ideas, I’ll try to work a SketchUp example.
It will be cool to see how this project develops. I am considering building a trestle dining room table. I would be interested in seeing a Greene & Greene influenced trestle table.
Design by committee has it’s pro’s and con’s, that’s basically what I do for a living. It should be an interesting venture. Not sure I can help much with a gaming aspect since I’m no gamer. I use SketchUp a LOT though. I’d be happy to input on any challenges you run into on that front. Have you upgraded to 8? It’s got some pretty cool new features, especially if you have the pro version.
If its in your bedroom you could just build a giant breakfast in bed type of deal to go over the bed. Maybe attach it to a chain lift to lift it up to the ceiling when not in use. Talk about relaxing and comfortable! Unless your bed is a concrete slab or a bed of nails or something. You could do some kind of art deco modern Z or lightning bolt shaped table… make it easier to play footsie if you are facing eachother…
One things that I’m considering is wiring up my Ikea ‘entertainment center’ with power outlets, networking and possibly adding a simple iphone dock with power and audio.
Even though you say you have a pretty static setup, I think it would be nice to be able to plug in your gaming table with two cables (CAT5/6 networking and power), at which point you have several outlets that become active.
I’m wondering if there’s a way to elegantly allow you to plug things in (ie, without crawling under the table, and without having the cables above-desk). My idea-o-meter is giving a blank.
At work I wired up our conference table with these cool pop up power and network devices. They fit flat inside the top of the table until you press them and they pop out with your connections. Just press them back down when you aren’t using them.
As an avid gamer, I think the best setup I have ever played on was like sitting at a “Battle ship” game.
Basicly, it was a table with thw monitors facing each way, center holes cut for wires etc. and the PC’s were mounted under the table out of sight.
This way when I played, I could directly look up over my monitor and talk to that person and vice versa.
I never liked side by side gaming tables as it gets crowded and cluttered.
Just my 2 cents :)
We have been hoping that a game table might be in the works sometime soon. Great idea, sir!
I also believe that the woodworker community’s input of opinions can (somewhat) help and distill your final product’s design.
However – even when it’s as talented a group as woodworkers most often are… ‘Design by Committee’? Um, no. Do you honestly believe that the past winners of HGTV’as Blog Cabins didn’t immdediately drive to their local home centers for new paint, new molding and new lighting fixtures? Sure they did.
I wouldn’t be surprised if committee design is why the Tower Of Pisa is leaning. :)
Marc, just a quick aside. It’s “… a gaming desk for Nicole and me…” Not “Nicole and I”. I hear (and read) that error a lot the last few years. Sounds like correct grammar. It isn’t. It seems a lot of smart folks get those two mixed up.
Quick way to check: you wouldn’t say “…desk for I”. Adding a common or proper noun (a name) at the end of a sentence doesn’t change that. Sorry about bringing it up. It just drives “I” nuts when hearing/reading it.
Hope you can forgive the observation.