Interview about Metal Cup, winner of the A' Kitchen Furniture, Equipment and Fixtures Design Award 2022
A multi-purpose cup designed for outdoor recreation such as camping It is 100% made in Japan, and produced with care at a factory in Tokyo, one by one. The cup is made of stainless steel 304 with excellent anti-corrosion and is formed into a beautiful shape by a metal spinning process. The finish is bead blasted to maximally enhance the shading of the form. An elegant brand logo is designed on the bottom. You can use the cup like a bowl or with a detachable handle. The detachable handle is made of titanium to balance the cup.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe "Sierra Cup," a metal cup, is an incredibly popular item among outdoor enthusiasts, including campers. This iconic cup originated as the official cup of the Sierra Club, a U.S.-based environmental organization founded in 1892. Renowned for its lightweight design, stackable storage capability, and durability—able to withstand campfires and burners—it has gained widespread acclaim from campers worldwide.With this legacy in mind, designing a similar cup for sunsetclimax presents a significant challenge. However, we have envisioned a new metal cup that surpasses existing designs in both aesthetics and functionality.
Metal Cup can be placed directly over a fire. However, the body becomes extremely hot during use, so making the handle detachable allows you to safely handle the hot cup. Additionally, a removable handle offers the advantage of making the cup much more compact for storage.
The advantage of finishing with bead blasting, as you mentioned, lies in its ability to beautifully enhance the contours and shadows of the shape. Additionally, compared to items without bead blasting, this surface treatment was chosen with the intent of making scratches and marks from use less noticeable over time. To achieve the desired surface finish, the craftsmen strictly adhered to the specified bead blasting duration during the production process.
The Metal Cup, like all sunsetclimax’s products, embodies one of our core design principles: "to provide high-quality items that can be cherished for a long time." To achieve this, we carefully select durable, high-quality materials and are committed to having each product crafted by master artisans.
The "Metal Cup" by sunsetclimax is an item that blends outdoor functionality with luxury. Crafted from high-quality metal materials and featuring a refined design, it combines durability and elegance while offering a comfortable fit in hand. Prioritizing practicality without compromising on visual appeal, this cup is designed to enhance special outdoor moments, serving as a luxurious tool that enriches your experience.
The Metal Cup features a unique design, with a flat rim instead of the rolled edge commonly found in standard Sierra cups. This design not only enhances the cup's aesthetic appeal but also ensures ease of cleaning by preventing dirt and grime from accumulating. Achieving this shape required numerous prototypes and iterations, but it was finally realized through persistent effort. I am deeply grateful to the craftsmen who made it possible.
This handle allows you to grip the cup body with minimal effort. To ensure this action can be performed as smoothly and effortlessly as possible, we tested the material, shape, weight balance, and hinge play repeatedly through numerous mockups. The reason the cup body is made of stainless steel and the handle is made of titanium lies in these considerations.
The sunsetclimax proposes a lifestyle that goes beyond traditional camping, offering a more elegant and refined way for sophisticated adults to enjoy their leisure time. We hope that young people and children, inspired by the sight of these stylish adults, will look up to them and think, "I want to be like that when I grow up," fostering a sense of hope for the future.
In recent years, Japanese small factories and craftsmen have faced various challenges, such as aging populations, lack of successors, and closures. The Japan we have today is built on the efforts and contributions of those who came before us. It is our responsibility to carry on their history and culture.We are particularly focused on supporting the next generation of young artisans, collaborating closely with them to create unique designs and develop products together. We believe that by increasing the number of skilled artisans who create outstandingly designed products, younger generations will be inspired to follow in their footsteps.
Currently, similar products are everywhere. Designers must always approach their work with originality and a clear philosophy, considering what their designs mean to society.
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