DATE:
03/13/2024
LENGTH:
8 WEEKS
ROLE:
DUO
SERVICE:
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN, PRODUCT DESIGN
CupMate
about.
CupMate is a portable, foldable drink caddy designed to replace the disposable cardboard carriers commonly used at cafés like Starbucks and Dunkin. The project focuses on reducing waste while making it easier to carry multiple drinks without relying on flimsy, single-use solutions.
Rather than redesigning the cup itself, CupMate looks at the overlooked moment between ordering and leaving the café. It explores how a small, reusable object can quietly integrate into daily routines and feel just as convenient as the disposable alternative.
challenge.
Disposable drink carriers are everywhere because they are cheap and familiar, but they are also fragile, wasteful, and rarely reused. Any alternative has to compete with that level of convenience while improving durability and sustainability.
The challenge was designing something that feels effortless. CupMate needed to be intuitive without instructions, compact enough to carry every day, and flexible enough to accommodate different cup sizes. If the product added friction or felt bulky, it would fail to replace the disposable option entirely.
results.
CupMate resulted in a lightweight, foldable drink caddy that collapses flat when not in use and expands quickly to carry multiple beverages. The final design prioritizes simplicity, portability, and durability, making it easy to adopt as a daily carry item.
By focusing on form and behavior rather than adding features, CupMate demonstrates how small, thoughtful design interventions can reduce waste at scale. The project highlights my approach to everyday products: understand the moment of use, remove friction, and design only what’s necessary.
