Coffee cup inspired by people-watching...

Posted on 25 Jun 2006

Coffee cup inspired by people-watching...

...and observation called the Richard|Frances Cup Continental Europe has a strong caf? culture. The caf? is a meeting place, a place to be seen- Caf? culture is a fundamental aspect of the identity of the city. With the recent explosion in low cost travel, British people are now more exposed to caf? culture and many UK cities are trying to catch on to it. But somehow, instead of going the chic continental route, we've adopted a brash American version of caf? culture with takeaway coffees, paper cups and Starbucks. Traditionally, coffee is an important cultural tool. It's not just a drink, but an experience. Coffee drinking has social and sexual connotations - it is an ice-breaker and is steeped in ceremony and etiquette. The Richard|Frances cup harnesses the etiquette and ceremony of coffee drinking and transports the user back in time to savour and delight in the ritual of using traditional utensils. The Richard|Frances cup is a new "take" on the cup and saucer - a gentle prompt to participate in the cup-and-saucer coffee drinking ritual. The Richard|Frances cup is a piece that answers the question "Does a designer have the power to influence people's behaviour?" The shape of the cup means that it won't stand on its own but will slot suggestively into the saucer, which holds it. The setup forces the user to drink with a cup and saucer together in a civilised manner. Richard|Frances is a product which encourages people to treat coffee as a celebration, and not just a drink.

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Matthew Milwid