RSUSSH 2020
IN20-060 The Redesign of The Tea Pot
Presenter: Wang Bo
Rangsit University, Thailand
Abstract
Drinking tea has a long history in China. Drinking tea with family and friends is a significant way to communicate and relax in traditional Chinese culture. Life changes with time; people have less and less time to communicate face to face. Today’s pace of life changes peruses by new technologies. Family members are now spending most of their time connecting on the phone. Therefore, they may not have perceived each other’s emotions, facial expressions, their inner thoughts, and feeling and as a result, increasing the distance between people more and more.
The author believes that teapot will not merely be a cultural product but will also evolve as a centerpiece of human connection. If the family members join tea time together, it may bring back the good relationship among them. In this study, the author proposed five sets of the redesign of tea sets, which were inspired by the concept of strengthening the relationship between the family members. This study started with an experiment to choose the best materials for the teapot. A survey for the preferable kind of tea between black Chinese tea and Green tea was conducted. The results were taken in to account as a criterion for the redesign of the tea sets. Moreover, the tradition in making a Chinese teapot, the process, and various aspects of preparing an excellent cup of tea were incorporated into the design.
Citation format:
Wang, B., Ingsiriwat, P., Sridhar, R., & Prohmvitak, P.. (2020). The Redesign of The Tea Pot. Proceeding in RSU International Research Conference, May 1, 2020. Pathum Thani, Thailand.QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Hi Wang Bo, thank you for your presentation. I really like your teapot, it is very playful. And the fact that two users can make different kinds of tea while drinking together reminds me of how the hotpot is divided in Shabu restaurants in Thailand. Here are my questions:
1) How do you analyse the user requirement and come up with the new design?
2) How do you design a teapot that gives a good taste?
First of all, thank you AJ for your patience in watching my video.Now I will answer your question according to your question.
1.I started with a survey that found that in China, people like to drink black tea and green tea about equally (this data comes from the China tea sales association).This means that tea POTS designed and made in China are basically designed for green and black teas.I then conducted a questionnaire about the shape of the teapot, and interviewed 20 older and younger people, based on their aesthetic preferences.The answer: young people prefer international shaped teapots, while older people prefer traditional Chinese ones.
Therefore, based on the above investigation, when I was designing, what I considered in terms of function was to design a teapot that can soak black tea and green tea.At the same time, integrate as much traditional Chinese culture as possible. For example, the inside of the teapot is divided into two parts, on the one hand, black tea and green tea can be made at the same time.This inspiration comes from the tai chi of traditional Chinese culture, which is inspired by Yin and Yang.
2.I'm a tea drinker.If the same tea material under the premise, want to make a cup of tea with the best taste.
The decisive factors are: the temperature of the water, and the material of the teapot...But at the same time, for the preciseness of the paper, I did an experiment with the help of my friend.First of all, we all know that water tastes best when it has a PH of 7.4.
So I used same black and green tea, made with water between 100 and 70 degrees Celsius.Tea are brewed in different materials of teapots , and the PH of the tea is then tested using test paper.The conclusion is:
Green tea: Water temperature 80 degrees Celsius, with porcelain or glass brewing, taste best.
Black tea: Water temperature 100 degrees Celsius, with purple clay pot brewing or porcelain brewing , taste the best.
The material used to make both black and green tea is white porcelain.
Dear Bob,
Thank you so much for your comprehensive reply. Now I can understand your research better. The concept of Yin and Yang is very interesting. Maybe you can develop that shape that into a design in the future.
And congratulations on your master Thesis!
Best regards,
Walaiporn
Hi Wang Bo,
I think the teapot looks great. It's so creative that it could surely promote people's interaction.
By the way, have you evaluated the ease of use of the teapot, besides having the good taste?
Hello BOB,
Would you mind telling me how about your focus groups implementation and the idea to promote value of this redesign teapot to become a reliable in ordinary life?
Dear SONGPOL:
I'm glad to see your questions.I'll answer your question on "have you evaluated the ease of use of the teapot, besides having the good taste?"
The problem.
My personal understanding of "ease" is as follows:
First, will the process of making tea and drinking tea become complicated due to my design?
I tried this out on my own, and it felt good.I don't see any difference from the teapots we can buy in the mall. I mean the difference in the use of the teapots.And the teapot itself adds a small interactive gaming device to make people more relaxed while drinking tea.Finally, the teapot itself is a miniature tea table, we can even sit on the ground to drink tea.
Second, is it convenient if you want to carry the teapot?
The wooden part of my model will use mortise and mortise structure, which is easy to assemble and carry.Because the final product packaging is similar to the size of a travel toiletry package box (length and width of 12CM).When the box is opened, the interior is a styrofoam structure with space for the teapot and wooden brackets.
Dear NOOTJAREE:
I don't quite understand your question.
Could you give me some details or an example so that I can better answer your question?