Personal Tea Tray: A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity

Wanggang Wangguokun's Award-Winning Design Marries Oriental Aesthetics with Contemporary Simplicity

The Personal Tea Tray, also known as Wei, is a unique blend of tradition and modernity. It is crafted from black stone and uses the height gradient to form a transition from a 2-dimensional plane to a 3-dimensional space. This design feature not only adds visual interest but also serves a practical purpose. It allows the tea to flow from high to low during the brewing process, enhancing the user's experience.

One of the standout features of this design is the hidden drain located in the lowest area of the tray. This clever design element ensures efficient drainage without compromising the tray's sleek and minimalist aesthetic. The tray's dimensions are 250mm in width, 250mm in depth, and 30mm in height, making it an ideal personal tea tray.

Wangguokun and his team, including Yang Zenghao, utilized PROE to create a 3D model of the tray. The design was then brought to life using CNC to process the stone material and polished fire for surface treatment. The creation of the tray began in Xiamen in April 2017 and was completed in December of the same year.

The design process was not without its challenges. The hidden outlet's inclination towards an open slot made CNC machining difficult. However, the team overcame this hurdle by combining manual processing operations, resulting in a flawless final product.

Wangguokun's Personal Tea Tray is not just a functional item but also a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional Chinese tea brewing. The design caters to the trend of young people embracing tea-drinking, offering a minimalist and personal style that enhances the tea-making scene. The precision of the 3mm edge is ensured by the use of CNC, embodying the original design principle.

In recognition of its innovative design and outstanding craftsmanship, the Personal Tea Tray was awarded Silver in the A' Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware, and Cookware Design Award in 2018. This prestigious accolade is reserved for top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation.