Shi: A Unique Tea Tray Design by Gang Wang and Guokun Wang

A Tea Tray that Redefines Convenience and Elegance

Traditional tea trays often lack efficiency and convenience, with tea water flowing everywhere during use. Inspired by the concept of a bridge, Shi integrates a flat plane and a concave surface, creating a visually striking and functional design. The height difference between the two surfaces not only separates dry and wet areas but also facilitates efficient drainage. Additionally, the concave surface allows users to visually observe the water level, prompting timely dumping.

Shi stands out from other tea trays with its unique combination of materials and its emphasis on natural interaction and instinctive usability. The natural stone disk is crafted using CNC and water knife cutting technology, while the aluminum chassis undergoes die drawing and cutting processes. The surfaces of both materials are finished with sandblasting and matte painting techniques, respectively.

With dimensions of 140mm in width, 600mm in depth, and 40mm in height, Shi is designed to be lightweight and portable. The package size measures 260mm in width, 700mm in depth, and 80mm in height, ensuring easy transportation and storage.

The tea-making process is made effortless with Shi. The flat part of the tea tray serves as the area for placing the tea set, while the concave part is the operating area. The height difference between the two surfaces allows for efficient drainage. When the water reaches three-quarters of the tank, users can visually observe the water level from the lowest point of the concave surface, facilitating timely dumping.

The Shi tea tray project began in Xiamen in February 2019 and was completed in September 2019. It was exhibited in Shanghai in October 2019, showcasing its innovative design and functionality. The design process involved extensive research, including user interviews, focus groups, product usability testing, and consumer diaries, to ensure the tea tray met user needs and expectations.

Overcoming creative, technical, and research challenges, the designers successfully achieved the optimal concave curvature of the natural stone plate. Through virtual simulation and physical model testing, a radius of curvature of 212mm was determined, ensuring efficient drainage and accurate water level indication.

Shi is a testament to the designers' commitment to creating a tea tray that combines elegance, functionality, and convenience. Its separable double-layer design, composed of a natural stone disk and an aluminum chassis, offers a unique tea-making experience. The plane surface provides a dry area for the tea set, while the concave surface serves as the wet area for efficient water drainage. The lower water mouth, located at the lowest point of the concave surface, allows users to directly observe the overflow of tea water, facilitating easy cleaning of the water storage pan.

Shi has received recognition for its outstanding design. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category in 2020. This prestigious award honors designs that exhibit creativity, resourcefulness, and technical excellence, contributing to improvements in quality of life.

Experience the elegance and convenience of Shi, the tea tray that redefines the art of tea-making.