JOH Smart Coffee Mug
This group project explores how design and technology can enhance the on-the-go coffee experience.
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The concept centers around a temperature-controlled tumbler, designed for professionals like Andy, a photographer with a fast-paced lifestyle, who relies on coffee for energy but struggles with maintaining an enjoyable drinking experience. The design ensures optimal taste and convenience, allowing users to enjoy their coffee at the perfect temperature throughout their day.
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Concept development
The development process began with ideation, where we explored various design possibilities, drawing inspiration from existing market products to create a sleek and functional solution. Through sketching and iterative concept refinement, we aimed to achieve a balance between aesthetics, ergonomics, and practicality, ensuring an intuitive and visually appealing design.
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Once the most promising concept was selected, we moved on to 3D modeling, refining the design to ensure it could be physically manufactured and fully functional. This step allowed us to finalize proportions, material choices, and assembly considerations, ensuring the feasibility of producing a realistic, aesthetic, and functional prototype.
Persona
Andy, 31, is a professional photographer who frequently commutes into the city for client meetings and shoots. His work is fast-paced and demanding, requiring him to always capture the perfect shot, often under tight deadlines. While he loves his career, the pressure to perform can be stressful, making it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
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Andy often starts his day early and relies on coffee to stay energized and focused. However, due to his hectic schedule, he finds himself drinking coffee quickly rather than fully enjoying the experience. He also struggles with reducing his alcohol consumption and often uses coffee as a stimulant to fuel his creativity.
Prototyping
To bring the design to life, we developed a functional prototype that replicates both the aesthetic and technical features of the final product.​
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The main structure of the tumbler was produced using vacuum forming, allowing us to create a lightweight yet durable form that closely resembles the intended design. For the temperature control system, we integrated a Peltier module, which enables efficient heating and cooling, ensuring the coffee stays within the desired temperature range.
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To power and control these functions, we used a PCB board, which was programmed using Arduino. This allowed us to regulate the temperature settings and ensure that the user could easily adjust and maintain their preferred heat level.​
By combining form and function, this prototype successfully demonstrates how the final product would work in real-world use, validating our design choices and technical feasibility.
Story Board
The storyboard illustrates Andy’s daily routine and how the temperature-controlled coffee tumbler seamlessly integrates into his lifestyle. It follows his morning commute, where he prepares his coffee before heading into the city for work. Struggling with early mornings, he relies on his coffee not just for energy but as a key part of his routine.
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As he moves through his day, the tumbler’s temperature control system ensures that his coffee stays at the perfect warmth, allowing him to enjoy it at his own pace without rushing. The ergonomic design and portability make it easy for him to carry and use throughout his shoots and meetings.
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By visually mapping out these moments, the storyboard highlights how the product enhances Andy’s experience, providing a functional and enjoyable coffee-drinking solution tailored to his fast-paced lifestyle.
Presentation Board
The presentation board provides a clear overview of the project, detailing the user persona, design process, and final prototype. It introduces Andy, the target user, highlighting his lifestyle and need for a temperature-controlled coffee tumbler.
The board showcases ideation, 3D modeling, and prototyping, illustrating the product’s ergonomic design and functionality. It also outlines the technical development, including vacuum forming for the structure, an Arduino-controlled PCB, and a Peltier module for temperature regulation. Through sketches, renders, and a storyboard, it visually demonstrates how the product enhances the coffee-drinking experience.
