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lara.a.potma@gmail.com
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TableTalk

Welcome to Table Talk!

Your new cutlery set is more than just a dining tool, it’s a gateway to meaningful conversations, playful banter, and shared memories around the table. Designed with interchangeable handles engraved with thought-provoking prompts, Table Talk transforms every meal into an opportunity for connection.

 

What’s Inside
• Modular Cutlery: A complete set of knife, fork, and spoon and dessert spoon and fork with detachable handles.
• Themed Handles: Engraved handles tailored to your chosen theme (e.g. Book Club, Travel, Foodie).

 

How to Use Table Talk
1. Choose Your Theme
2. Attach the Handles
3. Start the Conversation:
4. Mix and Match

 

A Note from the Designer
Table Talk was created to make dining more than just a functional experience. It’s about laughter, connection, and discovering stories you never knew about the people around you. Thank you for inviting Table Talk to your table, we hope it sparks joy and inspiration in every meal!

  • Topic

    Social Interaction

  • Course

    Tools for Design

Conversation-Starting Cutlery

This project explores the intersection of dining and social interaction, addressing the often-overlooked potential of cutlery as a conversation facilitator. The target audience includes individuals or groups who value meaningful social engagement during meals, such as families, dinner party hosts, book clubs, or cultural enthusiasts. The problem lies in the lack of dining tools that encourage interpersonal connections and discussions beyond functional use. The project aims to transform cutlery into a cultural artefact that sparks creativity and dialogue at the dinner table.

 

The design process began with research into the history of cutlery, social dining behaviours, and cultural traditions surrounding meals. Insights from user interviews revealed that people often feel more comfortable engaging in conversation when given subtle prompts. Prototyping involved creating modular handles with engraved single-word prompts that could be swapped out based on themes. Testing iterations focused on ergonomics, aesthetics, and the ease of swapping handles to enhance user experience.

 

The final concept is a modular cutlery set with exchangeable handles engraved with thematic prompts. These handles, available in single or double-part configurations, cater to specific interests such as sports, books, or travel and foster conversation through playful or thought-provoking prompts. The versatile system allows users to purchase themed sets or mix-and-match for personalised combinations, creating a sustainable and collectable product that transcends traditional dining tools.

Creativity & Aesthetics

Throughout my bachelor’s studies, I have developed my expertise in Creativity & Aesthetics, which has been a significant strength and passion of mine throughout my design journey. I believe these areas are fundamental for any designer, as they allow for innovative problem-solving and leave a lasting impression on users. I have improved my ability to imagine and bring to life visually attractive and innovative designs. Through coursework and practical projects, I have explored different techniques and approaches to enhance the visual appeal of my creations.

Courses like Aesthetics of Interaction, Exploratory Sketching, Design and Sensorial Form and my Projects of which primarily my FBP, have helped me experiment with a range of materials, colors, textures, and forms, enabling me to create designs that evoke emotions and engage users on a sensory level. My portfolio showcases the evolution of my Creativity & Aesthetics expertise, highlighting my commitment to pushing design boundaries while maintaining a harmonious balance between form and function.

By combining my passion for creativity and a keen sense of aesthetics, I aim to create designs that inspire and seamlessly integrate into users’ lives. My work reflects my growth as a designer, demonstrating my ability to merge artistic expression with practical utility. As I embark on the next phase of my design journey, I am eager to explore new horizons in Creativity & Aesthetics, continually refining my skills and pushing the boundaries of design.