Nihaarika Arora is an industrial designer and design lead working across consumer product categories, with an ongoing exploration of form, structure, and everyday utility. One project that exemplifies this approach is the Modern Geometry Jewelry Stand, designed exclusively for the MoMA Design Store and distributed internationally since June 2024.

Rather than approaching the piece as a decorative object, Arora treated the jewelry stand as a small architectural system. The design is composed of two powder-coated iron planes that interlock without fasteners, forming a self-supporting three-dimensional structure. Geometric perforations provide intuitive organization for earrings, while integrated hooks accommodate necklaces and bracelets. The object remains compact, tool-free, and adaptable to a wide range of domestic environments, while maintaining a sculptural presence when not in use.

The project emerged through a rigorous prototyping process that included cardboard studies, laser-cut iterations, and extensive material testing. Particular attention was given to metal thickness, balance, and joint tolerances to achieve structural stability without visual heaviness. Early prototypes were reviewed with the MoMA Design Store team, and their feedback directly informed refinements to the perforation rhythm, structural detailing, and final color palette, supporting its development through MoMA Design Store's partnership with the School of Visual Arts and its release into exclusive commercial retail distribution, with royalties provided to designer Nihaarika Arora per sale.

Formally, the piece draws from early modernist principles, particularly the clarity and restraint found in Bauhaus structural experiments. The interlocking arches reference architectural logic, while the perforation system subtly nods to Josef Hoffmann's metalwork studies. Rather than replicating these influences, the design translates them into a contemporary geometric language that feels quiet, functional, and precise.

Color development was guided by an extended trend and material study, resulting in a cool-toned, playful palette that compliments the iron substrate while allowing the object to integrate seamlessly into diverse interiors. Whether actively holding jewelry or standing empty, the piece is intended to function both as a utility object and as an autonomous sculptural form.

Since its release, the Modern Geometry Jewelry Stand is sold online worldwide and has been carried by the MoMA Design Store in the US and Japan. Additional retailers include Urban Outfitters, Iris & Stout, and Onton. It has also received multiple international recognitions, including the New York Product Design Award, French Design Award, IDA Design Award, and London Design Award.

You can see more of Arora's work here.