Product Poster:
Technical Drawings:
Rationale:
The finger mug is something new. It’s a coffee mug designed to improve both the emotional and physical connection between the product and its user, all the while looking stylish and well suited for an office environment. This product is a transformation of an everyday object into something, which gives a more pleasurable experience and creates a personalised relationship with its user.
A product such as this is targeted towards Males between the ages of 30 and 50 years. The ones who leave home 5 days a week to work in a 9 - 5 office job. It’s this time away from home combined with early mornings late nights and long commutes, which can lead to a boring, lonely lifestyle. This product, although similar to a regular coffee mug, has the ability to make positive changes in its users day-to-day life without drastic aesthetic alterations.
While keeping to the standard dimensions of a coffee mug, a small change in the overall shape of the finger mug allows for a more dynamic shape. One, which seems to belong on the desk of a dynamic businessman. It’s this dynamicity, which makes the mug such a great attention grabber and talking point.
The main difference in texture between the smooth, glossy finger mug and a conventional coffee mug is the fingerprints, which allow for an improved emotion and physical connection while also enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the mug.
In order to fit in with its formal business surrounding the mug is coloured entirely white and is made using ceramics like traditional coffee mugs. The colour choice allows for it to blend in with ordinary mugs, however the shadows cast by the fingerprints catch the attention of any onlookers. The use of ceramics is common in coffee mugs as they provide insulation from the hot drink within. To aid this insulation the finger mug has double the wall thickness of a normal coffee mug to better protect the hands of the user. A question I often receive is “how will you drink from a mug if there is no handle and it’s too hot to hold?” My response to that is that “if it’s too hot to hold then would you really want to put it in your mouth?”
The product is designed to please the user physically by being solid and weighted while still minimal in order to suit an office setting while still allowing the emotional connection of holding a weighted object, which doesn’t feel as though it can be easily crushed.
Socially the product is designed to be a stylish talking point. This is aided both by the dynamic lines of the mug and the new styling, which I believe to be a big leap from traditional mugs.
To please the target market psychologically, the mug is simple and easy to use while still being exciting and enticing. The fingerprints give the users (or a bystander) the need to reach out and feel the mug. To experience the connection it offers.
In an ideological sense, the user is happy with the product as it looks modern with its sleek design while still keeping with current design trends and not being too radical. This allows this everyday object to be a centrepiece within the modern office without having the same huge visual affect experienced by a painting or sculpture.
The finger mug not only enriches the experience of drinking coffee through improving emotional and physical connections, but it allows for a coffee mug to be something different. It’s something more than just a mug on a desk beside your keyboard. It’s a talking point and a way of getting a little more attention around the office while you’re missing home.
Peer Comments:
Danielle Taouk
Stephen Mesa
Shan Shan Wang
Jonathan Biet
Nina Harcus
Presentation:
great job samson. I liked the feel of holding your mug. It gave my fingers are home with feelings of security and comfort.
ReplyDeleteDude, when i first saw your original sketches i was like WOW that such an awesome idea!! The model you made was great but I would have preferred to see it created out of clay with a coat of clear rather than the use of blue foam/ paint/ polyfilla. However your mug conveyed the concept of what your inspiration board to show so i can't fault it :) Again i really loved the whole idea behind it. A finger print within the design of the cup is an INGENIOUS idea!!
ReplyDeleteFantastic design. I really like the clean lines coupled with the playfulness of the finger grooves. My only concern would be about temperature, which you've already addressed in your rationale.
ReplyDeleteGood work!
I want this mug! The finish on it just makes me want to touch it. You don't really want to put it down once you pick it up. Is it available in different colours..?
ReplyDeletelike your idea of this kind of coffe mug , it reminds me much of a japanse style tea cup with thick walls .
ReplyDeleteBut i dont see much reasoning behind it as a coffee mug as personally it felt like i was clutching somthing like a weapon when i held it .
I love the fact that it amazingly fits most hands, when i tried out your blue foam models it felt like the product was holding my hand rather than me holding the product, it was magic.
ReplyDeleteThe finished product was even more amazing to hold and had a distinguishing ceramic finish. it would be even better if the hand print was made from a fabric material.
to add to my comment previous, i think the abit of colour could be added to the model to further the aesthetic and emotive sense that comes with it
ReplyDelete