Every Termka stand begins the same way: with a pencil, a sheet of graph paper, and a problem to solve. We don’t start with what looks good — we start with what works.
The first question is always about the angle. How steep should the viewing surface be for comfortable use at a desk? What about on a bedside table? We use basic trigonometry and real-world testing to find the sweet spot between ergonomics and stability.
Once we have a concept sketch, we move to cardboard prototypes. They’re rough, they’re ugly, but they let us test the proportions and feel in our hands before committing any wood. We’ll go through five or six cardboard iterations before we’re satisfied.
The first wooden prototype is always revelatory. Cardboard can tell you about shape and size, but only wood tells you about weight, balance, and the tactile experience. Does it feel substantial? Does it grip the desk naturally? Does the phone sit securely without any additional friction material?
We refine, test, and iterate. Sometimes for weeks. The Apis went through eleven full prototypes before we were happy with every detail — from the radius of the front lip to the chamfer on the base edges.
Only when a design passes every test — ergonomic, aesthetic, structural — does it earn the Termka name and go into production.