Interview about Outotsu Glass and Coaster, winner of the A' Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design Award 2024
Outotsu means unevenness in Japanese. Stacking is now possible with the concave part of the glass and the convex part of the coaster. The coaster absorbs water droplets that form on the glass. It also has excellent deodorizing and antibacterial properties. The protrusions on the bottom of the glass create convection when you pour a drink into it, drawing in air that enhances the aroma and balances the flavor of the drink. There is no need to mix with a stirrer, and the beer will foam better. Another convenient feature is that both can be stacked for storage.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsMagma ceramic was used as a building material only for walls. I wondered if there was a way to substitute the functions of natural materials such as water supply, humidity control, deodorization, and antibacterial properties, and I came up with the idea of a coaster. It has been reborn as a coaster that does not need to be washed and does not grow mold.
It was a hassle to use a stirrer when mixing liqueur with water, juice, etc. Sometimes I mix it with my fingers, but it's not hygienic. So I thought it would be convenient to have a glass that doesn't require mixing. After repeated research, we found the best structure.
The advantage is that it can be stored in a small size not only at home but also in restaurants. The stacking structure of both glasses and coasters makes them easier to use and more cost-effective in terms of logistics.
In addition to mixing, we conducted numerous tests to find out how to introduce air, how to foam beer, and how to bring out the aroma. We pursued the pouring speed, height, and average value, and as a result, we selected the volume, angle, and size of the glass.
If you use resin or metal in this work, the taste will change. Therefore, it must be glass. Craftsmanship is required to achieve this with glass. The craftsmen were impressed by the designer's policies and succeeded in creating a difficult structure.
It is difficult to harden whitebait, so we asked for help from foundry and other industries. It was a manufacturing method that the craftsmen had never experienced before, but it has now been improved so that even people with disabilities can make it, and it is also contributing to society. Based on the recipe, Shirasu collected data on various results such as water absorption rate and strength, and researched the best combination.
Concave and convex surfaces must be properly connected to each other for this to work. First, we will join the coaster and glass, then the glasses, and then the coasters. This started with a model, and the design was finalized through repeated prototyping and lowering the defective rate. But don't disturb convection. The current design was created after a series of mind-boggling experiments.
In Asia, which is hot and humid, the proliferation of bacteria due to humidity becomes a dietary issue. Also, if the dishes get smelly, the food won't taste as good. In order to solve these two issues, we focused on magma ceramic (shirasu).
The problem was my own experience and the fact that many people don't use muddlers. Some people mix with chopsticks, some use their fingers, and some don't. None of this is a solution. If you don't have to mix it up, it's the best solution.
Made from 100% natural materials, Outotsu is a renewable product. It is very important that it does not have a negative impact on the earth. Additionally, functional products contribute to improving the quality of life. I think this will have a huge impact on the design industry in the future.
Dive into a world of design excellence with our curated highlights. Each feature showcases outstanding creativity, innovation, and impact from the design world. Discover inspiration and learn more about these incredible achievements.
