Cocktail Cart
2013
Responsibilities: Research, Concept Development, Design Refinement, Prototyping, Material Sourcing, Production.
Assignment
Develop a cocktail cart from concept to functional prototype with a focus on three key elements.
Goal
Design a beverage cart that facilitates hospitality through celebrating the art of mixing a drink.
Early studies focused on radical intrigue, drawing focus from nature's most dynamic structure - the skeleton. Bones and organic architecture exemplify all the slender grace of a cocktail dress.
Iteration of models refined the original concept into an appearance model emphasizing tapered, structural forms. Born of paper, foam, and wood, these studies were constructed at 1:8, 1:4, 1:2, and 1:1 scale.
The finished prototype was manufactured from laser-cut aluminum, sculpted wood, and 3D printed plastic. The pearl finish was achieved through auto-grade paint.
Sculpted curves united by thin peaks provide visual and structural balance. Slender, shifting surfaces guide the viewer's gaze to the upper surface - where all the action is.
Presentation
The top surface of the cart serves as the stage for the preparation and presentation of a cocktail. Drinks are prepared on the polished disk at the aft of the cart, then moved forward to be enjoyed by guests.
Storage
Martini glasses hang vertically from the aluminum rails that run along the lower surface. Easily accessed by patrons at the receiving end, they facilitate a relationship between host and guest.
Mobility
Hubless wheels minimize physical volume, allowing the cart to skate across the floor swiftly and silently. Industrial ball bearings do the heavy lifting, raising the handles to the grip of the host.
On display at the 2013 WWU Senior Show, complimented by a bespoke decanter and two martini glasses.
