Coffee Vessels
This project was about creating a set of timeless objects that were both unique and identical. I created forms that aim to contain coffee grounds in a semitranslucent and uniquely patterned set of vessels.Their design directly inspired by the colors and shape of a coffee-loving moth, and as that same suggests, this moth loves to eat the coffee plant in its larvae form. These vessels are made to securely store coffee beans or grounds, allowing you to see the content while also protecting them from too much sunlight, which can damage the coffee.
Moodboard
Additionally, the form is inspired by several other rounded but sturdy forms. The final model is made of cherry, and spalted maple woods and a resin window.
Inspiration
The form and type of wood were inspired by the Coffee-loving pyrausta moth, an incent that when in its larve state, prefers to feed off the leaves of coffee plants.
This set of three turned wooden vessels explores the relationship between coffee plants and the moths that feed on them. The forms draw from the soft geometry of a resting moth’s wings and the tapered shape of its body. The spalted pattern of the wood references the pattern of the moth's wings.
Ideation
This set of models and drawings explores creating a rounded and hollow form that could store coffee grounds, incorporate a window and perhaps the inclusion another tool such as a spoon, while also complementing some or multiple features of the coffee loving moth
Ideation Mapping
To explore design possibilities, I created a large grid on the wall using tape and filled it with iterative sketches on sticky notes. Each note combined elements from two categories: everyday coffee-related objects (such as spoons, grinders, brewers, and holders) and visual characteristics of insects, including patterns, silhouettes, and color relationships. By placing these sketches within the grid, I could quickly compare combinations and experiment with unexpected pairings between functional coffee tools and insect-inspired forms. This system allowed me to rapidly generate and organize many design ideas, making it easier to identify promising directions and refine concepts that translated natural insect features into functional coffee objects.
Digital Modeling
CAD modeling played a key role in refining the proportions and geometry of the vessels before fabrication. Through multiple digital iterations, I explored variations in curvature, wall thickness, and the depth of the carved vertical recess to ensure the form maintained the moth-inspired silhouette while remaining structurally sound for wood turning. These models allowed me to test subtle differences between the three vessels so they could read as a cohesive family while still having individual character. The final CAD models also served as a precise guide for fabrication, helping translate the conceptual form into clear dimensions and profiles that could be accurately executed on the lathe.
Fabrication
Because I made these forms from a small scrap of wood, I needed to execute a clear plan. I first had to cut the piece of wood into sections and glue it together to make three cube-like forms that had a bit of exposed live edge. I then milled a section of the wood to create a gap for the window and completed the cube by filling it with resin. Finally, I made them into a blank for the lathe and started to turn.
