Project Duration:
5 weeks | Fall 2025
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
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?
Prepare
Combine ingredients & place into designated container.
Pour boiling water into designated thermal container
koa
Reinventing what a workout can be.
Heart health
Mood enhancement
Mineral content
High fiber
Clears congestion
Provides nutrients
Metabolism boost
Anti-inflammatory
Improves mentality
Health Benefits
workout
4.
Unscrew second compartment containing powders and pour into hot water vessel.
Place excess drinkware back into gym bag
Start your desired workout (lift, run, stretch, etc.)
Have your drink nearby using the main bottle
Inspiration Board
5.
Grab both containers and face them towards each other.
enjoy
Enjoy the drink during your workout
Enhanced gym session (health benefits & nutrients collected)
Share desired amount with friends
Lacks grip for extra support.
Container is too wide and short.
Very difficult to hold.
6.
Place sealed containers back in gym bag, shake up main vessel, and enjoy.
1.
Pull container out of gym bag and prepare to assemble.
In-Context Renders
Google Gemini Images
3D Printed Model
koa
Reinventing what a workout can be.
travel
Place packed bag into vehicle & bring any other desired items.
Go to gym (drive, walk, bike, etc.)
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.
model analysis
Good grip placement for hands.
Lid is a good thickness.
Fairly easy to hold.
Englarge grip for more support.
Lid is a good thickness.
Strong bottle length.
Difficult to hold.
Make pestle longer for optimal hand placement.
assembly evaluation
2.
Unscrew bottom container holding cocoa nibs.
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.
3.
Grind cocoa nibs and pour into hot water vessel.
design language
Beginning to understand what this product could look like and how to integrate the ancient Mesopotamian culture into the design. Studied the important grip spots, facial expressions, and compactness.
color variation
The nutrients and mineral content within the recipe connects to the colors below: copper, silver, oxidized copper, gold, and obsidian.
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.
Grip indents are too sharp and prominent.
Lid could be thicker.
Bottle length is slightly too long.
Lacks grip for extra support.
Container is strong in length.
Fairly easy to hold.
Great size for pestle.
Grip flows naturally with fingers.
Lacks grip for optimal support.
Too wide and uncomfortable.
Mildly difficult to hold.
Great shape for pestle.
Enlarge overall model for better grip.