Showcase 2026 Student Spotlight: Luke Black
Student Spotlight featuring BA (Hons) Product Design student Luke Black and his project 'ORO desk'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 28 May 2026
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The Project
The ORO desk is a workspace designed specifically for sewing, created from the belief that functional furniture should not have to compromise on beauty. Inspired by the raw practicality of industrial sewing workstations and the warmth of timeless furniture design, the project explores the balance between utility and aesthetics within creative spaces.
The work of BA (Hons) Product Design student Luke Black, the ORO desk is designed around the natural workflow of sewing and making. The desk combines integrated storage, adaptable working areas, and direct sewing machine integration within a refined and intentional form. The sewing machine sits seamlessly within the workspace, improving usability while creating a more immersive and professional making experience. Rich dark sapele wood, industrial steel detailing, and mid-century inspired proportions work together to create a piece that feels calm, purposeful, and built to become part of the creative process itself rather than simply supporting it.
The ORO desk is made from rich, dark sapele wood. Image by Luke Black.
The inspiration behind the project
For Luke, the impetus for the project came from his own love for making garments, bags, and sewn products.
"As I continued developing my sewing skills," he says, "I began noticing how many issues existed within the workspaces and setups I was using, with almost every stage of the process feeling less efficient or more difficult than it needed to be. This led me to research what furniture options were actually available for makers working outside of industrial environments, only to discover that while many products were functional, very few had any real sense of aesthetic consideration or visual quality."
That realisation became the foundation of the ORO desk, a project that Luke explains was "focused on proving that functionality and beauty do not need to exist separately or as a compromise". The desk aims to combine the practicality and workflow of industrial sewing furniture with the warmth, permanence, and refinement of contemporary furniture design.
"This direction felt deeply aligned with who I am as a designer, as it allowed me to explore two of my biggest passions simultaneously: furniture design and working with textiles. I have always been interested in the way furniture can shape the atmosphere of a space and influence the experience of creating within it. The project became a way of combining both interests into something personal, creating a piece of furniture that not only supports creativity, but also reflects the care, craftsmanship, and intention that come with making itself."
Luke has gained a lot of new skills and experience from the course. Image by Luke Black.
The project experience
Luke describes working on the experience as having been incredibly rewarding.
"It has given me the opportunity to explore my passions in a depth I never have before, allowing me to develop both personally and as a designer. While the process has at times felt overwhelming and stressful, that has largely come from how deeply I care about creating a product I can genuinely be proud of.
"I’m extremely grateful for all of the support, experience, and knowledge I have gained from the technicians and tutors at NTU throughout the project. Every challenge, conversation, and skill learned during this process has helped shape not only the final outcome, but also the way I will approach design moving forward in my career."
The ORO desk combines practicality with aesthetic appeal, warmth and refinement. Image by Luke Black.
Being part of NTU
One of the aspects of the course that Luke has valued most has been the strong community feeling, largely developed by time spent working with and alongside fellow students.
"Over the years we’ve all become much closer through constantly discussing our work, sharing ideas, helping each other through stressful periods, and spending long hours together in the studios and workshops. A lot of my favourite memories come from those everyday moments, working late in the workshop, having conversations about design, seeing everyone’s projects develop, and collectively pushing each other to improve. Looking back, it’s those experiences and the sense of community around the course that I’ll probably remember most."
Luke says the course has given hm the confidence and experience to fully understand what kind of designer he wants to become:
"'I've learned how to create work that feels considered, intentional, and genuinely reflective of my passions. Looking back, the experience has shaped me both creatively and professionally, and I’m leaving NTU able to confidently say that I now see myself as a true designer."
Closing remarks
Luke advises future students of product design at NTU to make the most of the full range of opportunities on offer.
"The course gives you a lot of freedom, and the more effort and curiosity you put into it, the more you’ll get back from it," he says. "Don’t be afraid to take risks creatively or follow ideas that genuinely excite you, as those are usually the projects that lead to the strongest outcomes."
Study Product Design at NTU
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Our Student Showcase is open to the public from 30 May until 5 June 2026 and available to view online. Take a look at the work of our talented architecture and product design students.