Natalie Frattasi

The Infusion portable tea brewer and server is inspired by the lotus flower, seen as a positive symbol in the Chinese culture. The tea ceremony is still an important part of the Chinese culture and this product aims to allow people to take part it in when they are on the go. The shape when looked at from a number of different angles represents that of a lotus flower. The sleek, simple and compact design is still in keeping with Chinese tea traditions with modern touches. Such as colourful exterior medium gloss propylene plastic with a clean white interior, resembling that of a traditional porcelain teacup. The seals and filter are also kept white to keep a clean, minimalist feel.

The product has three main parts; two teacups, a filter and seal. The product fits together to create smooth, clean lines. Tealeaves are stored in between the two filters, which sit within the middle seal. The two cups attach onto the middle seal for a compact shape during storage and when in use. Fill one cup with hot water and attach both cups to the middle section. Spin the product so that the water filters through the tealeaves and flavours the tea. Keeping moving the water from cup to cup to infuse the tea to personal taste and strength. Tip the device up vertically to drain all the water to one cup. Take the cups off and simply drink for one or share for two people. The filters can then be detached to remove waste tealeaves.

The Chinese culture is vibrant with many different interesting and inspiring symbols and meanings. The designs show a variety of colours and ideas moving forward for development and improving aesthetics and personalisation. The colours have been taken from trend websites and also using images as inspiration to experiment with colour. Using symbols of the culture, the A surface of the design has been manipulated to add embossed patterns and symbols to give the design and cultural twist and personalisation.