Trickle, an analog tea timer
NOV 2016
This graduation project was completed in Sikkim – a tiny Himalayan state in North East India. I was encouraged to frame my own brief within the context of mountain crafts. This meant I was responsible for design research, concept development, prototyping, cost benefit analysis, production design & design management.
Sikkim is known for its exceptional Temi tea and that became the inspiration for "Trickle," an analog tea timer and its accessories. Green, oolong, white and black teas all require different steeping durations. With Trickle, you can calibrate your brew precisely by the minute based on the tea leaves used.
↪ Industrial design
CLIENT
Echostream Studio, Sikkim
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Trickle can be bought here.
"As marvelous as the Trickle is, its manufacturing is even more fascinating" - Yanko Design
"Handmade without electricity, tea infuser making use of nature in India" - Roomie, Japan
'Trickle' speaks to a growing demand for products that are crafted by hand, from natural materials and that won't harm the environment." - Trendhunter
The tea infuser lets you fine-tune your tea brewing experience minute by minute, depending on the tea leaves you choose. The base features three holes of varying sizes, determining the steeping speed— the larger the hole, the faster the steeping time. The separator plate obstructs two holes, leaving the third one open for a controlled dripping process. The rim is marked to indicate short, medium and long time slots. Place loose tea leaves in one compartment, pour hot water into the other, wait for your freshly brewed tea.
This project extended beyond just creating the product. Trickle was the merely the resultant artifact. The process illustrated how designing and developing products using mountain crafts can find a place in national and international markets. Through collaborative endeavors with the local artisan community, a distinct space unfolded, intertwining contemporary design with traditional elements. For me, this offered the first glimpse into the expansive world of Indian crafts.
