Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray by Irene Yeung is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Bronze A' Design Award in Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design Competition Category.
BronzeKitchenware· 2022
Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray
by Irene Yeung
Client: Derangedsign Co. Limited
Bronze A' Design Award Winner in Kitchenware Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #135554The Design
About Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray
Coexistence trays are inspired by the theory of Fictitious and Realistic Coexistence in Asian philosophy. This set includes two stainless steel trays, each is designed as a landscape shape and also like an art sculpture. Like mountains and lakes, they are perfectly coordinated, and both highly polished trays are made of stainless steel 18/10. Each piece is polished with a crisp, mirror finish on the exterior. Each tray can be individually used for table serving, and two trays can be set upside-down to each other in different variations, and become one large tray.
The Recognition
About the Bronze A' Design Award
Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray is a Bronze A' Design Award winner, a highly prestigious recognition granted to outstanding designs distinguished by creativity, ingenuity, and astuteness. Bronze winners are amply skillful and strikingly creative artifacts that authenticate the vast experience, imagination, and resourcefulness of their designers. Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished object that is notably professional and innovative. This Bronze A' Design Award-winning design incorporates best practices in art, science, design, and technology, and is excellent for its attention to detail. Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray splendidly satisfies needs, touches desires, charms feelings, and appeals to curiosity.
Interviews
Design Interview
What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
The design idea is derived from the theory of "Fictitious & Realistic Coexistence" and "The Sky and Earth Coexist" in ancient philosophy.
How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
It's very special, just a flash coming up into my mind.
Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
The product will be produced and selling in the market with our company brand.
Grand Interview
Your innovative approach to the Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray, drawing from Asian philosophy of Fictitious and Realistic Coexistence, is fascinating - could you elaborate on how this ancient wisdom influenced your design decisions and manufacturing process?
I'm glad you find the concept of the Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray intriguing! Drawing from the Asian philosophy of Fictitious and Realistic Coexistence, we aimed to create a product that harmonizes both aesthetic appeal and functional utility.Design Decisions:Duality of Form and Function: In Asian philosophy, there is an understanding of the coexistence of different states of being. In the tray's design, we aimed to balance beauty with practicality. The tray features a sleek, minimalist design that is visually appealing while also being sturdy and functional for everyday use. This represents the fictitious aesthetic that elevates the ordinary.Materials: We chose high-quality stainless steel not just for its durability but also for its reflective properties, allowing it to interact beautifully with light and surroundings. This reflects the realistic aspect of the coexistence philosophy—utilitarian, yet sophisticated.Symbolism: The design incorporates subtle patterns that are reminiscent of traditional Asian art, which conveys a sense of cultural heritage and storytelling. This aspect serves to remind users of the deeper connection between objects and their cultural significance.Manufacturing Process:Sustainable Practices: Inspired by the philosophy of balance, we implemented eco-friendly manufacturing processes. This includes sourcing materials from sustainable suppliers and utilizing techniques that minimize waste, embodying the balance between consumption and resource conservation.Artisanal Techniques with Modern Technology: The production process blends contemporary manufacturing with traditional craftsmanship. Artisans are involved in certain aspects of the creation, infusing a sense of humanity and artistic touch into each tray. This mirrors the coexistence of technological advancement (realistic) with artisanal skill (fictitious).User-Centric Approach: Feedback from users plays a crucial role in our design iterations, allowing us to evolve the product based on genuine needs and experiences. This aligns with the philosophical idea that reality influences perception; we want our design to evolve with real-world usage while maintaining its core principles.In essence, the Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray is not just a functional item but a representation of harmonized values, reflecting both ancient wisdom and contemporary needs. Each element is infused with thoughtfulness, ensuring that it serves a purpose while also inviting contemplation and appreciation.
The mirror-polished surfaces of the Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray create an intriguing interplay between form and reflection - what inspired you to explore this relationship between material finish and landscape-inspired shapes?
The inspiration for exploring the relationship between material finish and landscape-inspired shapes in the Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray stems from the desire to highlight the connection between nature and human craftsmanship. The mirror-polished surfaces not only reflect their surroundings but also capture the essence of the organic forms found in landscapes, evoking a sense of harmony and dialogue between the two.In nature, light interacts with different surfaces, creating a dynamic visual experience that changes with perspective and movement. By incorporating reflective finishes into the design, the tray embodies this fluidity, allowing it to adapt and respond to its environment. The landscape-inspired shapes serve as a reminder of the beauty of nature, while the polished stainless steel brings a modern and sophisticated touch.Ultimately, the goal was to create a piece that not only serves a functional purpose but also encourages users to appreciate the interplay between art, design, and the natural world. This relationship enriches the experience of the object, inviting contemplation and interaction with both its form and the reflections it creates.
Having overcome significant production challenges with the Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray's unique mold design, how did your decade of sheet metalworking experience inform your approach to creating two complementary pieces from a single mold?
My decade of sheet metalworking experience provided me with a deep understanding of material properties, tooling design, and production processes, all of which were crucial in developing the Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray’s unique mold design. Here are a few key ways my experience informed my approach:Material Behavior: Understanding how stainless steel behaves under various forming techniques helped me select the right thickness and alloy for the trays to ensure durability while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing finish.Mold Design Optimization: My background in working with molds allowed me to design a single mold that could efficiently create two complementary pieces. I applied principles of symmetry and balance in the mold design to ensure both items could be produced simultaneously without compromising quality.Precision and Tolerances: Knowledge of machining and fabrication tolerances helped me recognize how tight the tolerances needed to be for a successful fit between the two trays. This ensured that the end products would function effectively as complementary pieces.Production Flow: Understanding the manufacturing workflow enabled me to streamline the production process, reducing cycle times when using a single mold for both pieces. I was able to anticipate potential bottlenecks and design the mold and process to minimize downtime.Problem Solving: Experience with past production challenges equipped me with a toolbox of strategies to troubleshoot issues as they arose. When faced with obstacles in the molding process, my background allowed me to adapt quickly and implement solutions without significant delays.Testing and Iteration: My familiarity with prototyping and the importance of iteration meant I prioritized testing the mold extensively before full-scale production, allowing for adjustments that enhanced the final results.By leveraging these insights from my extensive background in sheet metalworking, I was able to innovate effectively and create two complementary pieces from a single mold, achieving both functional and aesthetic objectives with the Coexistence Stainless Steel Tray.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- Stainless steel tray is a set of two tabletop items.
This set includes two trays, each is designed as a landscape shape and also like an art sculpture.
Each piece is polished with a crisp, mirror finish on the exterior.
Each tray can be individually used for table serving, and two trays can be set upside-down to each other in different variations, and become one large tray.
Ideal for serving fruits, candy, nuts & jewelry, etc. - Dimensions & Packaging
- This set is made of stainless steel grade SUS316 (SS18/10), Hydraulic Press is used to form the trays. Dimension of each bowl: Dia250 x H60mm Wall thickness: 0.8mm Outer Surface: Mirror-polished
- Tags
- stainlesssteel, tray, tableware, houseware,
- Production Technology
- Trays are all about bringing thought through the design, manufacturing process to the finished product. Two trays are made by using one unique mold; to produce two different but consistent trays, one positive and one negative.
- Design Challenge
- The creativity is totally beyond the production possibilities. The mold is specifically designed to make 2 trays by using one unique set of it so that making the thought through the whole process from design to manufacturing process and then the finished trays made.
- Research
- Exploring various metalworking production techniques and mold design were crucial to the success of the production of this project.
- Inspiration
- The design idea is derived from the theory of "Fictitious & Realistic Coexistence" and "The Sky and Earth Coexist" in ancient philosophy that deliver the message, all things are dual, and they are relative to each other, such as sky and earth, light and dark, the two sides are interdependent and complementary, expressing the ideas of balancing and inclusiveness. The most striking characteristic is its waving surface, as it imitates a natural landscape with mountains and valleys, represent a beautiful reminiscence to the nature masterpiece.
- Project Duration
- The project started in Nov 2021 in Hong Kong and finished in Feb 2022 in China.
- Operation Flow
- This set of trays can be used as tableware and home decors that are designed to be both aesthetically unique and highly functional.
- Image Credits
- Irene Yeung
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