koa
Reinventing what a gym session can be.
Project Duration:
5 weeks | Fall 2025
Objective:
Choose a type of drink and a specific target audience. Create a drinkware set that provides a solution for the target audience, given the applied constraints.
A compact hot cocoa drinkware set designed for gym users. Combines the ancient Mesoamerican cacao tradition with functionality, creating a modern portable set for nutrition and ritual.
Intent:
Design a portable & durable hot cocoa set for gym users, incorporating the history of hot cocoa into the design.
Origin
The original Mesoamerican hot cocoa recipe was not consumed as a comfort beverage, but rather a health inducing beverage for power. The recipe was unsweetened and bold, typically containing chili powder, cinnamon, cocoa nibs, and sometimes corn. Cocoa was viewed as a sacred medicine believed to restore the health and strength of the human body.
Why the gym?
Dive into what it feels like to be an ancient Aztec warrior
Confidence boosting, stronger gym session
Keep your body warm during a workout
Share hot chocolate with friends during a gym session
Fuel your workout with the health beneficial drink
Incorporate protein powder into the drink for an additional boost
Health Benefits
Heart health
Mood enhancement
Mineral content
High fiber
Clears congestion
Provides nutrients
Metabolism boost
Anti-inflammatory
Improves mentality
Inspiration & Journey Map
Thumbnail Sketches
Exploratory Sketches
Model Analysis
Initial Renders
Color Variation:
The nutrients and mineral content within the recipe connects to the colors below: copper, silver, oxidized copper, gold, and obsidian. The spice container sits directly beneath the main vessel as the middle piece. The bottom container would hold the cocoa nibs that would be grinded using a pestel. Unhappy with the idea of having a loose pestel that does not connect to the rest of the compartments.
Assembly Evaluation
Revision:
Removed the pestel from the drinkware set.
Designed a handheld grinder that fits underneath the vessel.
Seperated the powder container in half, leaving one half to hold the grinder and the other half for the powders. Once the user grinds up the powders and pours it into the main vessel, the grinder can screw back into the side with the remnants of the powder. The user can store those two components back in their gym bag, and only use the main vessel for the rest of their workout.
In-Context Renders
3D Printed Model
koa
Reinventing what a gym session can be.