Design School: Project Teapot

[quattrokid73]

This is a prototype teapot I made for my model making class.

Processes involved: foam rendering, vacuum forming, insta-cast, patching, wet sanding, HVLP catalyst priming, HVLP painting and clear-coating, buffing. I used 550 cord for the grip.

The idea is that the rear black area would be a swivel door, allowing you to pour water in and out from this same location. Although the neck is the same color as the body, it would be a non heat conducting material so the grip area would be cool.

[cobrajoe]

Nice work. I think it could catch on with the right crowd, but I'm not a huge tea drinker myself.

The only thing I think might be tricky, is that it appears that you need to turn the whole thing upside down to pour the liquid out. I think if the neck was angled forward a little bit, it would be much easier to pour out.

(just a thought...)

[quattrokid73]

keep in mind the rear area is the in/out, not the "mouth". it works nicely when held in this fashion. the problem is, if you try and make the water come out of the mouth, you end up making it less elegant.

[Th232]

Interesting piece of work. Just curious as to how different pouring it would be compared to a normal teapot, because with the distance from the handle to the "pot" part might make it a bit harder to pour than more conventional teapots.

I can also foresee great amusement with people trying to figure out how to pour from it.

[The Deacon]

Very elegant looking design. The only potential gotcha I can see is that it appears to me that the most natural way to pour from it would be to hold it with the spout pointing toward your body, and that's the stuff lawsuits are made of.

[Will V.]

Come on, didn't you ever sing that song when you were a child? Short and stout! Does it whistle? That's a must-have feature. ;-)

Seriously, it looks to me the handle should be facing the other direction, it would feel more natural pouring it that way. It's an attractive design, though, and the color is perfect.

I use a teapot everyday, as I use pour-over and French press methods of making coffee. I should switch to an electric tea kettle.

[tonydahose]

i think it looks cool. good job.

[quattrokid73]

i agree with your comments about the ergonomics concerning the handle. this assignment was more about making a "show piece" than a "functional piece", kind of like a concept car. this was for my model making class, which is about modeling processes more than design conception. we did very little ergronomic/function research. you can think of the assignment as "sculpture with teapot-esque features".

thanks!

[Will V.]

In that case, I'd give you an "A"

[Tank]

Nice looking piece. Good job.

[224477]

very nice design