Matcha mate
Optimizing counter space for matcha drinkers
COMPANY
Independent Project
industry
Storage Design
Timeline
Nov 2024 - Dec 2024
task
How might we design a minimalist and functional organizer for matcha preparation that enhances the kitchen's aesthetic appeal while fitting in a compact space?
Design
Inspiration/Style Studies
Initial Sketches
Low Fidelity Model
Technical Drawings
Perspective Drawings
Using these drawings I could attack the final product's building comfortably. I started with a block of wood, trimmed it down to the proper dimensions, and used my isometric and orthographic technical sketches along with the perspective drawings to build the Matcha Mate in the fabrication lab. Once the structure was completed, I used a light oak wood stain to give it a nice finish and gave it to my client.
THE PRODUCT
THE Process
The research phase was mainly interviewing my client and figuring out the current issues in their matcha set-up. I then did a precedent study to understand products that do similar things. After creating a mood board according to my client’s style preferences, I began ideating. I presented those ideas and let my client choose their preferred design before I worked on prototyping and building the final product.
EVALUATION
This was a long process. My client loved the product, but there were a few things I would do differently next time. Looking back over the many steps in the process, I realize the most important aspect of this project was ideating based on the collected research. When it comes to design, there is no such thing as too many ideas. Because of that discovery, I have started mind-mapping in short-timed intervals when I begin ideating so I can pour all my ideas down onto a page. This has helped me come up with many, more refined ideas I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.