Masters Showcase 2025 Student Spotlight: Vidhika Aggarwal
Student Spotlight featuring MSc Design: Products and Furniture student, Vidhika Aggarwa, and her project 'Hako - Design your Space, Piece by Piece'.
Published on 4 September 2025
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The project
Hako -the work of MSc Design: Products and Furniture student, Vidhika Aggarwa - is a modular flat-pack storage and seating unit designed explicitly for ensuite student accommodations. It addresses the common issues of limited storage and fixed, single-purpose furniture that many students encounter. By integrating multifunctionality, stackability, and flat-pack efficiency, the design offers a versatile solution that adapts to varied student lifestyles while remaining affordable and easy to transport.
'Hako' is an easily adaptable storage solution designed for people living in small rooms with limited space.
The inspiration behind the project
For Vidhika, the inspiration for Hako came from her own experiences as a student and those of her peers, living in small rooms with limited storage space and furniture that could not easily be adapted to their needs. Vidhika set out to develop a practical yet thoughtful system that could help maximise space while giving students more control over their living environments.
Vidhika has devised a practical system to help people maximise space.
Being part of NTU
Vidhika describes working on her project as being both challenging and rewarding. As she says: "I explored every stage of the design process, from research and concept ideation to hands-on prototyping and testing in the NTU workshops. The project pushed me technically, especially working with angled cuts and joinery systems, but it also taught me resilience and the importance of iteration. Seeing my design develop into a functioning prototype was the most satisfying part of the journey. After weeks of sketching, cardboard models, and 3D prints, seeing the unit come together in MDF felt like a genuine achievement. It was the moment my ideas moved from the page and became something tangible that people could use."
She goes on to say: "My time at NTU has been transformative, both personally and professionally. The course has encouraged me to think critically about design, explore creative problem-solving, and approach projects with a user-centred mindset. I’ve developed strong skills in research, concept development, CAD modelling, and hands-on prototyping, while also learning to manage time effectively and adapt to feedback. Most importantly, I’ve gained confidence in taking an idea from initial sketches all the way through to a tested, full-scale prototype."
The project combines multifunctionality, stackability, and flat-pack efficiency.
Closing remarks
Vidhika has the following advice for future Product Design students at NTU:
"Immerse yourself in the process and take full advantage of the facilities. The workshops, tools, and staff are amazing, and the more you experiment, the more you’ll learn. Don’t be afraid of failing or changing direction - every attempt leads you closer to a better design. Most importantly, enjoy the journey, because it’s just as valuable as the outcome."
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