Coffee Goddess
Project focused on Form and Experience that I completed during the bridging programme at TU Delft. The goal was to design a drip coffee machine. During this project, I explored the various objects and imagery that I find pleasing and interesting. The feelings and emotions evoked by these samples were translated into design. The project went through four stages - Sampling, Sensory Analysis, Manifestation, and Reflection following which I came up with a Feminine and Superior Drip Coffee Machine.
Project Overview
GOAL
The goal is to design a drip coffee machine to create a desired experience through the form.
SOLUTION
The product is designed to provide an experience of worshipping a goddess in return for something, in this case coffee. This is why the product is called Coffee Goddess. It is fully functional drip coffee machine. The attributes used to describe it are feminine and superior. The choice of materials, texture, lighting, and sounds have been carefully selected to provide the desired experience.
ROLE
Researcher, Designer
November 2021, 4 Weeks
DURATION
Sampling
To get inspired for the form focused experience design of a drip coffee machine I explore everything around. I discovered instances of experience by collecting pictures, touching and feeling objects, and listening to or thinking about the sounds associated with the pictures and objects. Samples are collected by being wildly curious and open to the possibilities in the environment like Alice from Alice in Wonderland. The technique of word association is used to express the emotions and feelings associated with the samples through size, colour, material, form and texture. The samples that evoke similar feelings and emotions are then grouped together.
Coffee is connected with a variety of things. It could be related to the perfect weather and soil for coffee cultivation, the origins of coffee culture, the aroma of coffee grounds and coffee blossoms, coffee breaks, coffee with friends, coffee addiction, and so on. The categories of samples described above are linked to these things by asking “what about these feelings and emotions makes you think of coffee?”
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ancient coffeehouses . coffee culture origins . roasted beans . smoke . brown . wood
dry . faded . aged . old . time . wise . experience . journey
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fresh brew . morning coffee . coffee oil . coffeecherry . cold brew . coffee plantations
fresh . juicy . refreshing . wet . tender
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pride in drinking coffee . admiring coffee . confidence . superior quality . surrendered . in control
grace . elegance . beauty . feminine . pride . admiration . attention
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quick coffee . think better . re-energise . coffee break . coffee for work . coffee for planning
stability . observe . planned . settled . quick
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unwind . take a break . lost in thoughts . sit back . relax
light . breezy . float . fly . vast . explore . calm . free
Existing drip coffee machines are explored. The mechanism in which this brewing process takes place and the placement of the components is studied. Filter, water reservoir, water tubes, shower head, heating element, and carafe are the key components in an automatic drip coffee maker.
Sensory Analysis
To decide what the coffee machine should express, one of the seven categories of experiences is chosen. A design goal is stated by asking “why is this the most inspiring?” Perceptual features of objects, materials, and colors, both previously and newly explored, are analyzed to create the intended product expression by connecting the dots and discovering logic between them, much like Sherlock Holmes.
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Like a Goddess
grace . elegance . beauty . feminine . pride . admiration . performer . attention . independent . superior
Superior Quality Coffee
Coffee Goddess
Fierce Faith . In Control . Surrendered
Design Goal
To design a Feminine and Superior Coffee Machine depicting how people have surrendered to coffee and have a fierce faith in it. The Coffee Machine will have a feminine and superior form like a Goddess. It will have features that provide an experience of worshipping a Goddess. People worship a Goddess and surrender themselves only when they need something and cannot proceed without the fulfillment of this need. This is applied in the design. The Coffee Machine will provide a superior quality of coffee for which people have an unquenchble thirst. This can be achieved with the choice of materials and mechanism of the coffee machine which work together to bless the people with quality coffee.
FormX Matrix
The FormX matrix is used to express the main findings of the perceptual causes of experiences to describe the Product Expression.
Collages
Three kinds of collages are created to illustrate the most important aspects of the desired experience - memetic collage, lifestyle collage and emotive collage.
Memetic collage is used to express the form, colors, materials, and texture.
Lifestyle collage is created to reflect the user’s context.
Emotive collage is created to express the emotional significance.
Manifestation
In the Manifestation Phase, ideation is done and a final concept of Coffee Goddess - a feminine and superior coffee machine is introduced. CAD Model Renders are used to communicate the product experience. A prototype is made using Foam and exhibited along with collages and posters.
Ideation - Form and Features
Various Organic forms are sketched to realise the desired form. Some of them are symmetrical. Some have the top surface at an angle to the bottom surface. This is derived from the posture of looking up in pride and to feel superior. Orientation of elements of a drip coffee machine - filter, water reservoir, carafe shaped like a cup and a coffee reservoir is explored. A selection of few organic forms is combined with the features of the coffee machine which is shown in the next page.
symmetry
organic forms
posture of looking up with pride
orientation of filter, water reservoir, carafe shaped like a cup and a coffee reservoir
Ideation - Form + Features
Various organic forms ideated in the previous step are combined with the features and elements of a drip coffee machine to realise the desired form. Initially, a separate coffee reservoir was thought of but later discarded as it would lead to complications in the placement of internal components of the machine. Patterns of coffee beans and coffee flowers are explored on standard metal filter cones.
Organic forms are combined with the features and elements of a drip coffee machine to realise the desired form
Patterns of coffee beans and coffee flowers are explored on standard metal filter cones.
Final Concept
Product Experience
Removes the lid and water dispenser/shower head.
Prototyping with Foam
Exhibition
The final design was exhibited in the classroom. The prototype which was painted white along with some collages and mood boards were displayed at the table. It was a good experience. The prototype, collages, and posters helped showcase the work and communicate the details of the project efficiently.
Reflection
The product has been designed to provide an experience of worshipping a goddess in return for something, in this case coffee. This is why the product is called Coffee Goddess. It is fully functional drip coffee machine. The attributes used to describe it are feminine and superior. The choice of materials, texture, lighting, and sounds have been carefully selected to provide the desired experience. Usage of sounds and lighting may not be appreciated by all the users and currently there is no option to turn it off. This can be included. The form of the product was also carefully studied to incorporate all the components of the drip coffee machine. The product has a compact form which saves space. Using Vintage Bronze and Copper makes it an expensive product. The product may not be suitable for mass production. Metal Coffee Machines are usually made of stainless steel. Manufacturing the outer body with bronze needs to be further investigated.