In our Senior Design Studio, we worked on a housewares product for the International Housewares Association Design Competition. This was a term long project that drastically changed over time.
I created a "East meets West" traveling utensil that combines a fork, spoon, and chopsticks. It's meant to be small and compact, something you can take with you. It creates an entirely new eating experience.
Question & Answer submissions:
What does this product do? State the problem that this product solves.
How do you reduce utensil clutter in the kitchen and dining areas?
How does it work? Describe how this product uses existing technology or how it depends upon yet-to be-invented technology, power sources, or materials. If this product must connect to a plumbing or electrical system in the home, indicate how this is accomplished.
The Nommi chopsticks is a “East meets West” utensil that combines the chopsticks, fork, and spoon. It redesigns the eating experience; of how we eat, what utensils we use to eat, and also the physical aspect of the process of eating.
How does this product distinguish itself in a crowded market? Will the features and aesthetic appearance of the product attract consumers? How does it relate to trends in the market or compare to competitive products already available?
The Nommi chopsticks is unique because it is a sleek, designed tool that can transform an everyday task, into an entirely new and fun experience. Not only does it solve the problem of having too many utensils, it is an attractive product that fits in with the ever-changing and fast-paced life style of the target consumer – educated, tech savvy, always having the latest gadgets (Apple owning) buyer.
Show how your product considers universal design and consumer safety. Would it be helpful to anyone of any age or ability level? Does your product simplify function or enhance user interaction?
My product not only simplifies function, it also enhances the user interaction. This Nommi eating tool can be used by almost anyone. Using chopsticks is something learned, and that is as complicated as it gets. With the built-in fork option, you may never have to even use the chopsticks. This tool is very versatile and is a multi-purpose tool that fits your every eating need.
Briefly describe the key manufacturing methods and materials that would be used in the production of your product. Does the manufacture of the product consider the use of resources and impact on the environment?
Materials was a very important part of the design process for the Nommi chopsticks. The theme of “East meets West” is incorporated throughout every design decision. The main material is stainless steel (West), manufactured by injection molding. The packaging has also been considered, and bamboo (East) would be the natural, renewable resource used for the outer shell. Both materials are sustainable and recyclable/biodegradable, reducing the impact on the environment.
Using additional pages, describe your analysis of research findings relative to the design of your product. You may include: design and market research, consumer group testing, competitive product evaluations, interviews with marketing or technical experts, visits to manufacturing facilities, statistical material or technical literature consulted, human factors, consumer safety or universal design considerations. Do not include raw data.
The research process consisted of doing an analysis of the history of cutlery. Drawing from my roots, I also did research on cutlery in Asian countries. There were many similarities, as well as differences with East and West eating utensils, and I wanted that to be the main concept of the Nommi chopsticks.
I also did some comparison of how the two different cultures ate. Portion size was an important aspect of eating in the East. Since chopsticks picked up bit-sized pieces and portions, I also wanted the “spork” to also be small and scoop up small portions. This changes the eating experience and lets the user enjoy their food and savor each bite.
It was important that many different people could use the Nommi chopsticks, so the design was simple and intuitive, as well as multi-functional. To keep the utensils sustainable, I chose materials that were recyclable and renewable. Since the Nommi chopsticks can also be used as a replacement of a table setting, the materials (stainless steel) also had to be durable.
The logo for the Nommi chopsticks is also a fusion of East meets West. The “O” is purposely shaped like a box, which is the Chinese character for “mouth”. Nommi also is a term used to describe food that is delicious, flavorful, good.
For more information, please visit www.nomminess.com (website coming soon!)
Below are images of the the prototype, place setting, final presentation and submission boards for the competition. I hope you like it as much as I've enjoyed creating it!
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For more pictures, please visit my Photostream on Flickr.
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