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.
Intent:
Design a portable & durable hot cocoa set for gym users, incorporating the ancient Mesoamerican cocoa tradition for tradition and ritual.
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.
Origin
AI generated icons
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
Incorporate protein powder into the drink for an additional boost
Why the gym?
Preparation
Roast cocoa nibs at 350 degrees F until fragrant
Grind nibs into a powder
Heat one cup of water
Heart health
Mood enhancement
Mineral content
High fiber
Clears congestion
Provides nutrients
Metabolism boost
Anti-inflammatory
Improves mentality
Health Benefits
Travel to Gym
Place packed bag into vehicle
Bring any other desired items (headphones, shoes, monitors, etc.)
Go to gym (drive, walk, bike, etc.)
Inspiration Board
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
Google Gemini Images
3D Printed Model
koa
Reinventing what a gym session can be.
Enjoy Hot Cocoa
Enjoy the drink during your workout
Enhanced gym session (health benefits & nutrients collected)
Share desired amount with friends
Begin Workout
Place excess drinkware back into gym bag
Start your desired workout (lift, run, stretch, etc.)
Have your drink nearby using the main bottle
Pack Gym Bag
Combine cocoa, chili powder, cinnamon, and protein powder. Place into designated container
Pour boiling water into designated thermal container
Assemble
Take drinkware out & place on a flat surface
Grind the cocoa nibs & powders
Pour the combined powder into the hot water & shake the bottle
Thumbnail Exploration
Initial 2D studies & concepts. Consideration of components began with a spice holder, main vessel, lid, and pestel. Incorporated various representations of Aztec culture into each design.
Iterations
Began perspective studies and color exploration. Narrowed concepts down and explored ways to connect all the components together. Moved forward with the starred concepts.