Sometimes, the best design ideas sneak up on you — when you're not even thinking about design at all. That’s exactly how the Melted Phone Stand was born. I was nursing a swollen leg after a football injury, sitting there with an ice pack on, and thought — what if a phone stand looked like it was melting away, just like ice?
A Puddle with Purpose
I’ve always been drawn to objects that blend form and function. This project was no different — I wanted something that looked like a sculptural piece on your desk but also served a real purpose. So I grabbed my sketchbook and quickly drew out a puddle-inspired shape, imagining the phone sinking into something soft. I wasn’t aiming for realism — just a smooth, fluid shape that would give the illusion of melting plastic.
From Sketch to Model
After getting the basic outline down, I imported it into Rhino 3D and used the curve tool to trace the sketch digitally. That’s when the fun began. Achieving the melted look wasn't just about making wavy lines — the modeling required careful sequencing. I had to fillet edges in a specific order to get the smooth, soft contours just right.
First Print, First Lesson
The first prototype looked great — until I put my phone on it. The center of gravity was off, and the
whole thing tipped over with the gentlest nudge.
Back to the drawing board.
I realized I needed to adjust
the angle and surface area of the phone-contact zone to keep the phone balanced. I also took into account
that most people use phone cases, so I widened the groove slightly. Second print? Solid. Stable.
Print Settings & Materials
I printed the final model using PLA — easy to print, no fumes, and ideal for desktop objects. I chose a
bright red filament, partly because it looks like melting wax or plastic and partly because it just pops
on any desk setup. The print settings I used were:
• Layer height: 0.28mm for speed + decent quality
• Infill: 20% (cubic pattern)
• Top layers: 3 solid layers
• Bottom layers: 2 solid layers
• Chamfer: 0.4mm at the base to prevent elephant foot and give it a cleaner finish
Final Thoughts: A Functional Conversation Starter
What I love most about the Melted Phone Stand is how it feels like a designer object. It doesn’t look overly “techy” or mechanical — it just sits quietly, holds your phone, and gets people curious. I’ve had multiple people ask me where I bought it from. When I say, “I made it,” the look on their faces is priceless.
