Product design/development

With the support of Olschewski Consult, we started looking for persons who could put these requirements into a form. At the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, project focus CeramicPorcelain-GlassDESIGN, we were welcomed with open arms. After all, the combination of design theory with applied design practice and artistic design is precisely the goal of the studies at this university.

Together with the client, the company Roncalli, we, Mohaba GmbH & Co KG, formulated the exact task:

• Creation of an interesting product that can be enjoyed both filled and unfilled
• Material: Stoneware/ceramic
• Weight: approx. 220 - 300 g
• max. height: 10.5 cm
• max. diameter: 9 cm
• Required wall thickness in the area of the mouth margin: 3.5 to 5 mm
• Content/volume: approx. 250 ml

Required features:

• Good rinsing properties, no water residues in the dishwasher
• Smooth decorative surface
• Desired feature: stackable

In order to release additional creative energies, we have granted each participating artist (after registration) a participation fee. The submitted designs were reviewed by a jury consisting of representatives from Mohaba, the university and Roncalli, and finally a shortlist of three designs was made.

Of these three designs, the best design in the opinion of the jury was then selected for further model production.

In addition to the technical requirements, the new mulled wine cup should also include certain content-related aspects in its design and thus also evoke certain associations. It should be traditional and simple, pick up elements of a chalice form because of the wine product administered in it, but at the same time also establish a reference to the Middle Ages (Historic!? Christmas Market). In short, it should be historic and elegant.

What began with a few strokes, squiggles and hatched areas gradually became clearer and clearer, a certain direction was discernible, a form was emerging. And was rejected again. Or altered, reproportioned, stretched or elongated
… until the artist said: Well, that would be my suggestion!

Jetzt stand die nächste Bewährungsprobe an:?Aus dem bisherigen Modell musste eine „richtige“ Tasse werden. In unserer Fertigungsstätte in China wurde deshalb aus Originalrohstoffen und -materialien ein Formenmuster hergestellt, um unter „Live“-Bedingungen testen zu können, ob alle Anforderungen erfüllt waren.

Now only the "face" of the cup was missing. Roncalli designed a decor according to our measurements, which we transferred to a cup. This first complete original was deemed good by Roncalli, and the "Go!" came from Hamburg.

Now our little, very special cup could finally go into production. For this purpose, our Chinese factory first produces the cup bodies, onto which the decorations are then applied by hand.

And this is it, our very special cup, whose story we have just told you.

Didn't it get fancy?
Doesn't that make you want to read more little stories?
Maybe even those of "your" little, very special cup soon?

After this successful start, both sides agreed. The cooperation between the company Mohaba GmbH & Co KG and the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences has a future. Because everyone benefits. We gain in creative potential, the designers of the university in practical experience. This was put into practice through a "licence and distribution agreement" for the commercial use of design objects of the university.

The first follow-up projects have already been agreed:

• Design of QR codes for Mohaba as a link between digital and analogue world - classic commissioned design
• Design of high-quality porcelain sets for marketing in the field of industrial advertising, complemented by an espresso and latte set.