CupMate
CupMate transforms one of the smallest daily frictions—carrying drinks—into a meaningful act of organization and sustainability. Designed for people constantly in motion, it folds, locks, and adapts to every setting: from morning coffee runs to road-trip pit stops. With its magnetic assembly, diagonal dividers, and flexible canvas structure, CupMate reframes utility as calm—ritualizing mobility for the modern commuter.
Mar 13, 2024
LENGTH
8 weeks
LENGTH
8 weeks
LENGTH
8 weeks
Role
Duo
Role
Duo
Role
Duo
Service
Industrial Design | Product Design
Service
Industrial Design | Product Design
Service
Industrial Design | Product Design
A modular, fabric-based drink caddy designed for people constantly on the move — flexible, collapsible, and quietly functional.
A modular, fabric-based drink caddy designed for people constantly on the move — flexible, collapsible, and quietly functional.
A modular, fabric-based drink caddy designed for people constantly on the move — flexible, collapsible, and quietly functional.
Challenge: Transforming a throwaway accessory into a meaningful everyday object
Cupholders are usually static, single-use, and visually neglected. The challenge was to design a cup-carrying solution that adapts to modern, mobile lifestyles — from cars to parks to offices — while reducing waste and improving ease of transport. CupMate rethinks what a cupholder can be when portability and softness lead the design language.
Challenge: Transforming a throwaway accessory into a meaningful everyday object
Cupholders are usually static, single-use, and visually neglected. The challenge was to design a cup-carrying solution that adapts to modern, mobile lifestyles — from cars to parks to offices — while reducing waste and improving ease of transport. CupMate rethinks what a cupholder can be when portability and softness lead the design language.
Challenge: Transforming a throwaway accessory into a meaningful everyday object
Cupholders are usually static, single-use, and visually neglected. The challenge was to design a cup-carrying solution that adapts to modern, mobile lifestyles — from cars to parks to offices — while reducing waste and improving ease of transport. CupMate rethinks what a cupholder can be when portability and softness lead the design language.
Solution: Collapsible design, expandable purpose
CupMate combines the precision of industrial design with the flexibility of textile craft. Its foldable walls and rope handles let users carry multiple drinks effortlessly while collapsing flat when not in use. Made from washable canvas and recyclable inserts, the design balances durability with warmth — form following convenience without sacrificing character.
Solution: Collapsible design, expandable purpose
CupMate combines the precision of industrial design with the flexibility of textile craft. Its foldable walls and rope handles let users carry multiple drinks effortlessly while collapsing flat when not in use. Made from washable canvas and recyclable inserts, the design balances durability with warmth — form following convenience without sacrificing character.
Solution: Collapsible design, expandable purpose
CupMate combines the precision of industrial design with the flexibility of textile craft. Its foldable walls and rope handles let users carry multiple drinks effortlessly while collapsing flat when not in use. Made from washable canvas and recyclable inserts, the design balances durability with warmth — form following convenience without sacrificing character.
A series of folded panels lock magnetically into shape — combining textile comfort with engineered precision.
A series of folded panels lock magnetically into shape — combining textile comfort with engineered precision.
A series of folded panels lock magnetically into shape — combining textile comfort with engineered precision.
Insight 1: Simplify, then personalize usability
CupMate’s fold-flat system reduces clutter and adapts to any storage environment — from a car seat to a countertop. The structure assembles in seconds, making it both functional and expressive. Unlike rigid holders, it adjusts to different cup sizes through flexible dividers.
Insight 1: Simplify, then personalize usability
CupMate’s fold-flat system reduces clutter and adapts to any storage environment — from a car seat to a countertop. The structure assembles in seconds, making it both functional and expressive. Unlike rigid holders, it adjusts to different cup sizes through flexible dividers.
Insight 1: Simplify, then personalize usability
CupMate’s fold-flat system reduces clutter and adapts to any storage environment — from a car seat to a countertop. The structure assembles in seconds, making it both functional and expressive. Unlike rigid holders, it adjusts to different cup sizes through flexible dividers.
Exploded view — fabric shells, magnetic inserts, and adjustable dividers — all designed for quick assembly and easy cleaning.
Exploded view — fabric shells, magnetic inserts, and adjustable dividers — all designed for quick assembly and easy cleaning.
Exploded view — fabric shells, magnetic inserts, and adjustable dividers — all designed for quick assembly and easy cleaning.
Insight 2: Designed for adaptation
Unlike rigid cupholders, CupMate adapts to the user’s environment. It holds drinks during commutes, organizes utensils on a desk, or even serves as a picnic caddy. The removable dividers accommodate everything from bottles to food containers, extending its usefulness far beyond beverage transport.
Insight 2: Designed for adaptation
Unlike rigid cupholders, CupMate adapts to the user’s environment. It holds drinks during commutes, organizes utensils on a desk, or even serves as a picnic caddy. The removable dividers accommodate everything from bottles to food containers, extending its usefulness far beyond beverage transport.
Insight 2: Designed for adaptation
Unlike rigid cupholders, CupMate adapts to the user’s environment. It holds drinks during commutes, organizes utensils on a desk, or even serves as a picnic caddy. The removable dividers accommodate everything from bottles to food containers, extending its usefulness far beyond beverage transport.
Understanding mobility as modern lifestyle: from daily commutes to weekend escapes.
Understanding mobility as modern lifestyle: from daily commutes to weekend escapes.
Understanding mobility as modern lifestyle: from daily commutes to weekend escapes.
Insight 3: Portability as a new form
CupMate replaces disposable trays with a reusable, washable solution built for longevity. By designing a collapsible system that users want to carry, sustainability becomes intuitive — a small act of care embedded in daily motion.
Insight 3: Portability as a new form
CupMate replaces disposable trays with a reusable, washable solution built for longevity. By designing a collapsible system that users want to carry, sustainability becomes intuitive — a small act of care embedded in daily motion.
Insight 3: Portability as a new form
CupMate replaces disposable trays with a reusable, washable solution built for longevity. By designing a collapsible system that users want to carry, sustainability becomes intuitive — a small act of care embedded in daily motion.
Insight 3: Portability as a new form
CupMate replaces disposable trays with a reusable, washable solution built for longevity. By designing a collapsible system that users want to carry, sustainability becomes intuitive — a small act of care embedded in daily motion.
CupMate transitions fluidly between spaces — fitting in a car, at a desk, or on the go — making organized mobility effortless.
CupMate transitions fluidly between spaces — fitting in a car, at a desk, or on the go — making organized mobility effortless.
CupMate transitions fluidly between spaces — fitting in a car, at a desk, or on the go — making organized mobility effortless.
Outcome: A smarter way to move through the day. CupMate merges textile comfort with industrial logic to create a functional, adaptable companion. Through modular design and collapsible form, it transforms an overlooked object into a thoughtful system — blending convenience, care, and design integrity in motion.
Outcome: A smarter way to move through the day. CupMate merges textile comfort with industrial logic to create a functional, adaptable companion. Through modular design and collapsible form, it transforms an overlooked object into a thoughtful system — blending convenience, care, and design integrity in motion.