I z a k a
I z a k a y a f i n e D i n i n g
W H A T I S I z a k a
Izaka is a fine dining set that takes inspiration from Japanese fast food (Izakaya) and it’s communal energy and turns it into a 6 piece collection.
R e s e a r c h
Took inspiration from collections presented at trade shows to understand how the individual products came together to tell a story as a collection. Noticed how presentation and staging played a large role in story telling
O n - S i t e O b s e r v a t i o n s
Nikko showroom, Wedgwood showroom, Portmeirion showroom
Found case studies for trends, styling, materiality, colors. Identified potential techniques for staging. Gained an insight into each brands manufacturing and development process.
I d e a t i o n
After conducting research around traditionsand foods of Izakaya, I started modelling the collection around the concept of community eating and drinking. The idea developed around the serving dishes being the main food platter, while personal dishes would be used as a way to customize the eating experience with condiments and such.
M o d e l l i n g
Based on initial concepts I explored form in chipboard, and quickly took form exploration into CAD to get a real feel for volume and comparative proportions. The majority of problem solving went into finding a compromise between usability and creating dynamic and interactive forms.
F o r m d e v e l o p m e n t
Most of the forms in this collection were organic forms inspired by rocks and pebbles
The pitcher was reimagined to fit the visual dynamics of this collection. The biggest challenge with the pitcher was finding a way to resolve the handle without it being obtrusive to the vase like quality it had. The glass carries the design language of the collection with the cutout at the bottom as well as the filleted lip.
The main plate featuring an indent that’s meant to contain condiments like soy sauce or Siracha. The size of the plate encourages smaller portions of varied items.
I latched onto the idea of switching visual identities of the plates and bowls in this collection. So this bowl in the image, although proportionally looks like a bowl, is mainly meant to create a more theatrical effect to the dining experience by raising the food higher off the table.
The Pitcher ended up being the centre piece of the collection while also having been the most difficult to piece to resolve. Its new form factor explored new ways to interact with it. Initial prototypes played with scale as well as a handleles version,
Based on initial concepts I explored form in chipboard, and quickly took form exploration into CAD to get a real feel for volume and comparative proportions. The majority of problem solving went into finding a compromise between usability and creating dynamic and interactive forms.
D e s i g n d e c i s i o n s
P r o t o t y p i n g
The production of prototypes for this collection was done heavily with 3D printing. This project was my first time working end to end with 3D printers. There was a large learning curve involving modeling complex curves in SolidWorks, setting up the g-code in prusa slicer, and really fineassing print quality by fine tuning print setting.
C m f
There were a lot of failed prints before the successful ones. Had to play around with infill and supports to take into account production time.
With creating full scale prototypes, there were limitation with printer bed sizes, and so orientations during printing caused mishaps with print quality. To create no only a seamless finish, but one that mimicked ceramic, I spackled and sanded the pieces with about 4 layers each. The spackle on its own, represented unglazed ceramics, while parts coated in paint mixed with varnish, respresented glazed parts.
