Shelf Society
Remote or in person book club platform
Context
Shelf Society is a concept platform that brings scheduling, book voting, and discussion into one shared space, making it easier for book clubs to stay organised, connected, and engaged, whether they meet online or in person.
My role
Tools
Product designer
Figma, Photoshop
Timeline
2025
The challenge
Coordination friction
Running a book club online often feels fragmented. Scheduling meetings, choosing books, and keeping discussions engaging typically happen across multiple tools, leading to friction, drop-offs, and decision fatigue.
The solution
Unified experience
Shelf Society is a dedicated platform designed to make running a book club easier. By bringing scheduling, book selection, and discussion into one shared, well organised space, it supports book clubs before, during, and between meetings, helping shift the focus from planning logistics to connection and conversation.
Curated book discovery
Group based recommendations introduce new genres and authors aligned with the club’s interests.
Availability based scheduling replaces endless message threads, helping clubs quickly find meeting times that work for everyone.
Smart scheduling
Ranked choice voting ensures every member’s preference counts, reducing debate and decision fatigue.
Ranked book voting
Structured prompts help spark meaningful discussion and encourage quieter members to participate.
Guided discussion prompts
Designed to give members a clear, at-a-glance view of what’s happening and what to do next without overwhelm.
Dashboard central hub
Cross-Platform Experience
Anytime, anywhere
Members can check schedules, vote on books, and continue discussions wherever they are, whether they are planning a meetup at home or joining the conversation on the go.
Impact
Meaningful connection
Shelf Society shows how a clear, well structured experience can make running a virtual book club feel easier and more enjoyable. By bringing planning, book selection, and discussion into one shared space, the experience moves away from scattered tools and small frustrations and toward something calmer and more intuitive.
The design helps groups stay engaged without adding extra effort. Features are intentionally lightweight, making it easier to make decisions, keep conversations flowing, and spend less time organising and more time enjoying reading together.
