Function

The ‘cug’ is the new refreshed idea of the conventional mug. The cug is a coffee or tea container designed to keep your liquid hot and your fingers cool. The insulated porcelain cug have double wall insulation, were the inner wall insulates and prevents the heat penetrating the outer wall, which ensures that the beverage is kept hot but the hands are kept cool. Accompanied with the Cug is it’s saucer. The saucer plays an important role in the experience of the Cug as it not only is used support the Cug, protect surfaces from possible damage, catch overflow, splashes, and drips from the Cug and a place which provides a convenient place for a damp spoon it can also be transformed into a lid to keep the heat inside and serves as a locking system to stack and store them on top of each other which creates more cupboard space.

Inspiration

The object I chose to investigate and challenged was the mug. - A mug is a sturdily built type of cup often used for drinking hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. - Mugs, by definition, have handles and often hold a larger amount of fluid than other types of cup, approximately 12 fluid ounces (350 ml) of liquid. - A mug is a less formal style of drink container and is not usually used in formal place settings. - The handle of a mug keeps the hand away from the hot sides of a mug. - For the same reason of thermal insulation, mugs are usually made of materials with low thermal conductivity, such as earthenware, bone china, porcelain or glass. My aim for this object was to: - Challenge why the mug is a less formal style of drink container. - Question the need of handles. - Find alternative ways to insulate hot liquid. I created a product that answers these equerries in a practical way, the ‘cug’.

Development

My challenge was to identify an everyday and unnoticed product that I wish to challenge and innovate, adding to the quality of everyday life. My research for this project consisted of numerous visits to relevant exhibitions such as Science Museum and the Design Museum to gather insight into everyday objects and their history. Part of my research included critical reflection of chosen objects, asking how well have they succeeded in performing their function? My challenge was about stepping back and rethinking, adopting an approach of creative enquiry and play. Through my own creative design practice I explored and experimented with my chosen object in an open and questioning way.