These were my early teapot concepts that held the tenets of mobility and sharing. With the help of my classmates and professors, the “Thermos” form became the clear winner.

Through quick sketches, I played around the form and assembly of the “Thermos” teapot. I drew several variations of how the pieces were to be connected, how each element would stand alone and the same time, look harmonious when put together.

Making quick 3D mock-ups proved to be a very helpful tool in the design process. With just a few hours of bristol board construction, I was able to gather valuable information such as proportion and ergonomics early in the design stage. It was an efficient and straightforward way of communicating the concept to prospective users.

This first CAD model created using Solidworks show how the cups slide out of the teapot from the main handle. The teapot can either lie flat on a surface with the square panels that raise the body and keep it from rolling or stand upright like a typical thermos. The spout also serves as a lid that is turn facing up for pouring and down to keep it sealed. The major problem with this early iteration is that the main handle that holds the cups together is useless while in use.