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
CupMate reimagines the fast-paced coffee run as a ritual of balance—organized, foldable, and sustainably designed.
CupMate reimagines the fast-paced coffee run as a ritual of balance—organized, foldable, and sustainably designed.
CupMate reimagines the fast-paced coffee run as a ritual of balance—organized, foldable, and sustainably designed.
Challenge: The modern commute is chaos. How might we reimagine nomadic living in the present-time?
Disposable cardboard drink trays are the silent waste of our daily habits. They’re weak, wet, and wasteful—forcing two-handed carrying and ending up in landfills after one use. Our research into nomadic lifestyles and travel revealed an opportunity: create a reusable, elegant alternative that supports mobility and minimizes clutter while maintaining a ritual of care and reuse.
Challenge: The modern commute is chaos. How might we reimagine nomadic living in the present-time?
Disposable cardboard drink trays are the silent waste of our daily habits. They’re weak, wet, and wasteful—forcing two-handed carrying and ending up in landfills after one use. Our research into nomadic lifestyles and travel revealed an opportunity: create a reusable, elegant alternative that supports mobility and minimizes clutter while maintaining a ritual of care and reuse.
Challenge: The modern commute is chaos. How might we reimagine nomadic living in the present-time?
Disposable cardboard drink trays are the silent waste of our daily habits. They’re weak, wet, and wasteful—forcing two-handed carrying and ending up in landfills after one use. Our research into nomadic lifestyles and travel revealed an opportunity: create a reusable, elegant alternative that supports mobility and minimizes clutter while maintaining a ritual of care and reuse.
Solution: Portability and reusability.
CupMate folds flat like a book, opens with magnetic precision, and secures drinks with diagonal, tension-balanced dividers. It’s built from waterproof nylon, 16-oz canvas, and HDPE sheet for structure—ensuring durability without bulk. Pockets store accessories or napkins, while the internal lining helps maintain temperature. Handles tuck neatly inside when folded, creating a sleek, compact form. CupMate doesn’t just hold drinks—it supports the pace of life with order and simplicity.
Solution: Portability and reusability.
CupMate folds flat like a book, opens with magnetic precision, and secures drinks with diagonal, tension-balanced dividers. It’s built from waterproof nylon, 16-oz canvas, and HDPE sheet for structure—ensuring durability without bulk. Pockets store accessories or napkins, while the internal lining helps maintain temperature. Handles tuck neatly inside when folded, creating a sleek, compact form. CupMate doesn’t just hold drinks—it supports the pace of life with order and simplicity.
Solution: Portability and reusability.
CupMate folds flat like a book, opens with magnetic precision, and secures drinks with diagonal, tension-balanced dividers. It’s built from waterproof nylon, 16-oz canvas, and HDPE sheet for structure—ensuring durability without bulk. Pockets store accessories or napkins, while the internal lining helps maintain temperature. Handles tuck neatly inside when folded, creating a sleek, compact form. CupMate doesn’t just hold drinks—it supports the pace of life with order and simplicity.
Engineering convenience: foldability and firmness through modular construction.
Engineering convenience: foldability and firmness through modular construction.
Engineering convenience: foldability and firmness through modular construction.
Insight 1: Simplicity creates consistency.
When design removes friction, behavior becomes habit. CupMate’s seamless fold-and-carry gesture replaces the awkwardness of juggling trays with an intentional, repeatable motion—turning chaos into calm.
Insight 1: Simplicity creates consistency.
When design removes friction, behavior becomes habit. CupMate’s seamless fold-and-carry gesture replaces the awkwardness of juggling trays with an intentional, repeatable motion—turning chaos into calm.
Insight 1: Simplicity creates consistency.
When design removes friction, behavior becomes habit. CupMate’s seamless fold-and-carry gesture replaces the awkwardness of juggling trays with an intentional, repeatable motion—turning chaos into calm.
Exploring how material choice can combine flexibility, structure, insulation, and attachment through elastic bands, durable fabrics, HDPE plastic, and magnetic strips.
Exploring how material choice can combine flexibility, structure, insulation, and attachment through elastic bands, durable fabrics, HDPE plastic, and magnetic strips.
Exploring how material choice can combine flexibility, structure, insulation, and attachment through elastic bands, durable fabrics, HDPE plastic, and magnetic strips.
Insight 2: Function beyond fixation.
Unlike static car cupholders that anchor you to one space, CupMate moves with you. It travels from car to café to picnic blanket, adapting to any setting. It redefines containment as mobility—extending the ritual of convenience beyond the dashboard.
Insight 2: Function beyond fixation.
Unlike static car cupholders that anchor you to one space, CupMate moves with you. It travels from car to café to picnic blanket, adapting to any setting. It redefines containment as mobility—extending the ritual of convenience beyond the dashboard.
Insight 2: Function beyond fixation.
Unlike static car cupholders that anchor you to one space, CupMate moves with you. It travels from car to café to picnic blanket, adapting to any setting. It redefines containment as mobility—extending the ritual of convenience beyond the dashboard.
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: Adaptability is the new standard.
Traditional cupholders are rigid, single-purpose, and size-specific. CupMate’s diagonal dividers flex to fit any cup, while its magnetic seams fold flat when not in use. It evolves with context, proving that good design should adapt to life—not the other way around.
Insight 3: Adaptability is the new standard.
Traditional cupholders are rigid, single-purpose, and size-specific. CupMate’s diagonal dividers flex to fit any cup, while its magnetic seams fold flat when not in use. It evolves with context, proving that good design should adapt to life—not the other way around.
Insight 3: Adaptability is the new standard.
Traditional cupholders are rigid, single-purpose, and size-specific. CupMate’s diagonal dividers flex to fit any cup, while its magnetic seams fold flat when not in use. It evolves with context, proving that good design should adapt to life—not the other way around.
Everyday order—transforming clutter into calm.
Everyday order—transforming clutter into calm.
Everyday order—transforming clutter into calm.
Outcome: Less spill, more still.
Outcome: Less spill, more still.