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

Guided discussion prompts

Structured prompts help spark meaningful discussion and encourage quieter members to participate.

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.