In relation to the MALM desk, this product has a much greater budget, attributed for the most part to its use of more expensive materials and differing target market. In addition, the branding of the product will also bear impact to this as well. This product retails at £259 from Furniture Village, the company responsible for the desk.

The purpose of this product is to provide a functional workspace for the user with built-in storage whilst remaining aesthetically pleasing. In the above they succeed- a sizeable surface is provided to use as the user sees fit; in addition to the three drawers (one of which being lockable for added security), there are two open slots to store items in for easy access whilst using the desk; finally the desk is produced in either a full glossy white finish or a concrete effect, achieving its intended purpose of being aesthetically pleasing and functional. Despite all this, its functionality could further be improved, using the MALM desk (left) as an example. The MALM contains under-desk cable management for use in conjunction with a computer or other similar devices that this product is without. Also, the MALM has shelving in its storage section from which this desk is also lacking. Equally there are some features this product has but the MALM is without- such as the lockable top drawer and open storage slots.

The budget for this product is comparatively low as, in addition to being a simple (yet functional) design, the materials used are not particularly expensive to procure or use. This is reflective of how IKEA's products are intended to be cheaper and more affordable for everyday use by everyday people, and are designed as such.

With its simplistic and modern design style, it is both aesthetically pleasing and similar aesthetically to the MALM desk. Being available in both a glossy white finish and a concrete effect (with glossy white elements), it is visually appealing but falls short of the potential variety the MALM offers in that the MALM is available in three completely different colours, as opposed to two only with differences in some elements.

Made following the Scandinavian Modern design style, the product is aesthetically pleasing- its aesthetic qualities further improved by the product being available in a range of colour options, unlike the FV desk which is only available in two (one of which is still very similar to the other colour option). In terms of the form and shape aspect of the product's aesthetics, the two products are once again incredibly similar with only slight differences.

This product is very functional, not losing any of its potential functionality to its aesthetics. It provides a large, level work surface in addition to storage in the form of a drawer and cupboard; the cupboard being divided into two sections by a shelf, the height of which can be adjusted. The MALM also contains a wire management system located under the work surface to keep the desk and surrounding area clear of wires. The Furniture Village Desk does have some increased functionality over the product as a result of greater storage capacities; more durable surfaces due to the materials used; and some other factors.

Although this design is visually appealing and very functional, it is not particularly innovative in that it is simply a desk with some built-in storage elements and a method of managing cables for products used with this desk. Additionally, the design is incredibly similar to the Furniture Village desk, with only a few notable differences between the two- making it clear that it is a design that many designers/ companies use in their ranges.

Like the MALM, this product is lacking in innovation, the product just simply being a desk with some built-in drawers for storage. Despite this, I consider this desk to have slightly more innovation than the MALM as the top drawer is lockable and above the drawers there are open storage slots for easy access to items placed in there. Although both these features may be seen in other products similar to this, they are not overly common and so serve to help this product to stand out a little.

Like the MALM this product is very functional, not losing any of its functionality to its aesthetic qualities. Also like the MALM, the desk contains built-in storage capabilities in addition to a large, flat work surface. Unlike the MALM, however, it lack a cable management solution, but does offer added storage in the form of two open slots located above the drawers, one of which can be locked- another element of functionality this product holds over the MALM.

The purpose of the product is to provide the user with a functional workspace with built-in storage, without compromising the aesthetics of the desk. In this it succeeds: a large, level surface is provided to work on; storage is provided in the form of a drawer and a cupboard- the cupboard being split into two sections by a dividing shelf (which is adjustable in its height) so as to maximise the storage available; and a cable management system is offered on the underside of the work surface so that any cables which may prove to clutter the table top can be hidden away for both practical and visual reasons.

Being sold in a flat-pack format, packaging is significantly reduced and shipping is more environmentally friendly as a result. This also makes it easier to disassemble at end of life so that parts can be reused or materials recycled easier. Additionally, there is more potential to repair the product due to this as well. Being made of chipboard, this product is for the most part recyclable (once the veneer has been removed). That and the components used to assemble and hold the product together could be reused in the vast majority of IKEA's range as they tend to stick to a few key components for this.

Being sold in a flat-pack format, packaging is significantly reduced and shipping is more environmentally friendly as a result. This also makes it easier to disassemble at end of life so that parts can be reused or materials recycled easier. Additionally, there is more potential to repair the product due to this as well. Also, the thermoplastic edging on the desk would be recyclable or could be heated and reshaped for other uses, meaning the same material can be reused as opposed to producing new material instead- a process that would likely not be very environmentally friendly.

Although the veneer used to cover it may not be particularly sustainable, the chipboard used for the majority of this product is, as well as being both recyclable, reusable and cheap- making it ideal for this product. From IKEA website: "Product is possible to recycle or use for energy recovery".

The website did not say what the product was made from but did say there was a "scratch-proof melamine coating". Not only is melamine an unsustainable choice of material, it is also not recyclable, so should the main material of the product prove to be recyclable, the coating must be removed first- provided it can. However, the product is also said to have thermoplastic edging. Although thermoplastics are also unsustainable, they can potentially be reheated and recast indefinitely.