The maker subculture is steadily growing. Companies like Shapeways and MakerBot are quickly increasing access to digital manufacturing. How can designers leverage this expanding market segment for product design?
I began by exploring the interest of makers. While developing the concepts, I noticed a gap in the products available on Shapeways - items directed toward the interest in spirits and a quality consumption experience. While creating my concepts, I also discovered the novel process of printing in porcelain. Intrigued by the potential for overlap, I decided to design a set of aerators.
As other products like Whiskey Stones focus on cooling drinks, I decided to explore an undeveloped direction - aeration. As with wine, increasing the surface area of a liquor can help flavors become more pronounced.
The product needed to help aerate the drinks, and also be attractive and safe to use in a glass. Through an iterative process of rapid prototyping, testing, and sketching, I developed the form of the aerators.
The final product consists of three porcelain stones. The indented top and faceted sides create turbulence when poured over or swirled around. Their white color helps to display the color of the spirit, enhanching the experience. Finally, their material allows them to be either chilled or warmed, which can be desirable depending on the type of spirit being consumed.
