WithDelight: Redefining the Coffee Experience

Rana Nur Ozdeslik's Innovative Cup and Saucer Design

WithDelight, a coffee cup and saucer set, was inspired by the designer's Turkish roots and the custom of serving coffee with a sweet treat. This tradition is not unique to Turkey; in Italy, coffee is served with biscotti, in Spain with churros, and in Arabia with dates. However, the designer noticed a common problem across these cultures - conventional saucers were not designed to hold the treats properly, often leading to them sticking to the cup or getting wet from coffee spills.

Addressing this issue, Ozdeslik designed a saucer with dedicated slots to keep the treats in place. The saucer has four slots, each designed to hold a specific type of treat - a rectangular slit for thin chocolate, a cubic groove for Turkish delight, a spherical groove for chocolate-covered berries, and a cylindrical groove for truffles and bonbons. This innovative design prevents the treats from sliding towards the hot coffee cup, enhancing the overall coffee drinking experience.

The cup and saucer set is made from porcelain with a gloss white glaze, making it safe for use in an oven and dishwasher. The cup has a 2 fl. oz. capacity, while the saucer measures 124.6mm x 124.6mm x 22.8mm. The design also allows the cup to be flipped upside-down on the saucer, a feature particularly useful for Turkish coffee, where it is a custom to read fortunes by examining the patterns of coffee grounds.

The design process, which started in September 2017 in Amsterdam and concluded in January 2018 in Providence, RI, USA, involved observational research examining the interaction of consumers with the coffee cup and treats. The research indicated that the quality of the coffee drinking experience could be significantly improved by developing a coffee cup that allows for stable containment of treats.

Despite the challenges of designing the optimal depth of grooves on the saucer and ensuring the product's strength and practicality, Ozdeslik was successful in creating a unique and functional design. This innovation earned her the Silver in A' Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware, and Cookware Design Award in 2019, a prestigious accolade rewarded to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs.

WithDelight is a testament to Ozdeslik's innovative thinking and design expertise, offering a fresh perspective on everyday tableware and enhancing the coffee drinking experience. The design not only solves a practical problem but also adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the coffee table.