Designer Diary: Table System by Filler Gaming

Filler Gaming

New member
Hi everyone! I’m Eric from Filler Gaming.

A few years ago, my wife Cristina and I started this adventure of merging product design and board games. I work as a designer and engineer at MoCa Design Studio, and this project grew from a simple personal idea into something much bigger than we first imagined.


It all started quite naturally, from our love for board games. In 2023, we created our first product, the Storage System — an organizer for pocket-sized games — followed by the MatBag, a combination of playmat and carrying bag. Those experiences gave us the confidence to aim higher and explore more ambitious ideas. That’s how Table System was born.


The idea came from our own Sunday routine. Cristina and I love playing board games in bed during lazy mornings, often with our two cats, Katto and Sirius, joining in. At first, we used a simple laptop table and a wooden board, but soon we wanted something more functional and elegant. As a designer, I couldn’t help but start sketching ideas to make this experience better. What if we could create a proper gaming table that didn’t take up space, could be used anywhere, and stored easily when not in use?


That question was the spark that led to Table System. I began by studying what already existed — from folding tables to modular setups — and I quickly realized there was a gap between large, expensive gaming tables and compact, practical solutions for everyday play. I wanted something portable and well-designed, not a bulky piece of furniture. The inspiration finally came from a folding chessboard we had at home. It made me think: what if we applied that same concept to a full board gaming setup?


I started taking measurements from our own collection ,about 300 games ,and analyzed how much space was actually needed for different titles. We used games like Ark Nova, Scythe, Viticulture, and Lost Ruins of Arnak as size references. From there, we established the table’s ideal dimensions and created individual player trays that could store cards, components, and player boards efficiently. The goal was to make the table adaptable — perfect for two players, but expandable up to four.


Once the concept was defined, I focused on design identity. We wanted something sleek, timeless, and durable, using high-quality materials. The concept was not to design furniture, but rather a product — something you could pick up from a game store, take home, and start using immediately. No installation, no tools, no setup stress. Just open, play, and enjoy.


We designed a suitcase-style table with an integrated handle, folding in one motion. It uses only two legs, designed to slide under the bed for comfortable gaming. Inside, it holds four modular player trays, each with its own compartments and card slots, all nesting perfectly together. Every accessory , including a rollable gaming mat ,fits inside the same suitcase. That was a key moment for us: realizing everything could be stored and carried in one compact box.


We also created multiple height configurations, so the table can adapt to different situations:


  • As a topper placed on any surface
  • With shorter legs for table use
  • With taller legs for floor or bed play
  • Or as a standalone table setup

This versatility became one of the project’s main strengths. It’s not just for board games , it’s also great for painting miniatures, RPG sessions, puzzles, and other creative hobbies.


The prototyping phase was intense. We purchased a PRUSA XL 3D printer to build everything ourselves. Large parts had to be printed in sections, and one full prototype took around 300 hours of printing. After several months, we had a working prototype and started optimizing it for manufacturing. For example, the left and right sides are made from the same part to reduce tooling costs a ,small detail that makes a big difference in production.


We then collaborated with our manufacturing partner to refine the model, improve strength and stability, and prepare it for mass production. After many rounds of revisions, the design was finalized and ready.


Creating the visual materials for the project was another adventure. We drove across northern Spain with around a hundred board games to meet our visual team. In just two days, we shot all the scenes and setups — from cozy living room moments to big multiplayer sessions. It was exhausting, but incredibly rewarding. Later, we even returned to film some final shots after adding new height configurations. Looking back, that trip represents everything this project stands for teamwork, passion, and a bit of madness.


Throughout all this, Cristina has been the heart of the project. She manages communication, handles logistics, and keeps me grounded when I get lost in details. This is truly something we built together, step by step, with love and persistence.


As a small studio, managing everything ourselves has been both challenging and fulfilling , from design and prototyping to marketing and logistics. We’ve learned that creating a product like this means wearing many hats: designer, engineer, photographer, video producer, and even accountant. But it’s all worth it when we see how this idea has evolved from sketches into a real, working system.


The goal behind Table System has always been to make gaming more accessible and practical. Many people love the idea of owning a gaming table but don’t have the space or budget for one. We wanted to change that by creating a compact, affordable, and beautifully designed option that anyone can use — whether you’re playing Gloomhaven, Azul, or just building a puzzle.


We truly believe that design can improve the gaming experience ,not by adding luxury, but by solving real problems and creating more opportunities to play. For us, this project represents not just a product, but a way to bring people together around the games they love, wherever they are.


If you’ve read this far, thank you. We’re always happy to share more about our process , from sketches and prototypes to design challenges and lessons learned along the way. It’s been a long, sometimes exhausting, but deeply rewarding journey, and it still feels like just the beginning.

If you want to see the full project, it’s currently live on Kickstarter

Cristina & Eric
Designer & Co-founder, Filler Gaming
 

mosin jack

New member
Really interesting to see how Table System evolved from a simple idea into such a practical, portable gaming setup. The modular trays and different height options seem especially useful for board games, miniature painting, and other creative hobbies. It’s great when thoughtful design makes leisure time more enjoyable. For football fans who also enjoy relaxing with a match after game night, futbol-libre may be another option to explore.
 
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