Cagatay Afsar integrates transparent OLED screen into a desk to reduce clutter

Amina Amber | 1 June 2022

In the final video showcasing the finalists of Dezeen and LG Display's OLEDs Go! competition, Cagatay Afsar discusses his design that incorporates a transparent OLED display into a small desk.

Called Caelum, the design was created by Turkish designer Afsar as a response to the change in lifestyles brought on by the pandemic.

Caelum desk in white leant against a window framing surrounding mountain views — Caelum integrates an OLED screen within a desk to create ample workspace

By incorporating an OLED display into the desk, Afsar aims to free up desk space that would normally be taken up by a computer monitor.

The design makes use of transparent OLED displays to create a product that offers users a glimpse into their surroundings in a bid to prevent a monotonous working experience.

Caelum desk in grey with a wireless keyboard and coffee on desktop — The Caelum desk is designed to be used at home or in office environments

Designed for use at home or in office environments, Caelum's transparent display also enables colleagues to see each other and hold conversations while adhering to social distancing requirements when the desks are placed back to back.

Caelum can be customised with different coloured tabletops and legs and is designed with optional integrated partitions to reduce noise and foster concentration when focused work is required, offering even more flexibility to suit a wide range of working styles.

Multiple Caelum desks in an office setting with different coloured panels — The transparent feature of the screen enables colleagues to make conversation at a safe distance

"We're spending increasing amounts of time at our desks since working from home has become so commonplace," said Afsar.

"As our desks are so important now, I wanted to integrate technology into them in a more stylish way."

Caelum desk in black in a dark home interior with headphones on desktop — Caelum comes in different colours and with optional partitions for focused work

The design is one of five finalists in Dezeen and LG Display's OLEDs Go! competition, a global contest looking for fresh and innovative ideas that embrace the light, thin, flexible and transparent qualities of OLED displays.

The competition brief asked entrants to create designs that adapt and enhance people's changing lives and provide new experiences.

Caelum desk in white with bright green background in a contemporary home interior — Afsar set out to create a product that integrates technology in a stylish way

The finalists were selected from 20 shortlisted designs, which included televisions that fold into lamps and cabinets with digital displays for doors.

The overall winner of the contest will be announced in June.

All of the top five designers will share in the prize pot of €88,000, with the winner receiving €35,000. The runner up will receive €20,000, third place will win €15,000, fourth place will win €10,000 and fifth place will win €8,000.

Partnership content

OLEDs Go! is a partnership between Dezeen and LG Display. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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