Upgrade was presented at 100% Design in London last September by Tomas Kral, a Slovakian designer who currently lives and works in Switzerland. Kral’s project remains relevant, as many design fairs and trade shows have increased their focus on sustainable design.
Once emptied of their contents, Kral breathes new life into discarded glass bottles. Traditional crystal glass techniques are applied to the emptied tomato sauce, milk, pickle and juice containers to create curious and highly covetable vessels.
The measuring cup jars are a particularly nice twist on applying new techniques to old(er) forms while taking into account how people interact with an object.
I’m seriously digging the union of industrial design with craft. Applying advanced techniques to the seemingly mundane jars is a beautiful and welcome upgrade.
Elegant Industrial Jars
Tomas Kral's ‘Upgrade' Breathes Life Into Old Glass
Trend Themes
1. Upcycling - Tomas Kral's 'Upgrade' project shows the potential for upcycling discarded glass bottles into curious and highly covetable vessels using traditional crystal glass techniques.
2. Sustainable Design - The increased focus on sustainable design at design fairs and trade shows presents an opportunity for businesses to incorporate eco-friendly practices into their products and services.
3. Craftsmanship - The union of industrial design with craft, as seen in Tomas Kral's project, presents an opportunity for businesses to apply advanced techniques to seemingly mundane objects and create a beautiful and welcome upgrade.
Industry Implications
1. Glass Manufacturing - Businesses in the glass manufacturing industry can explore the potential for upcycling discarded glass bottles into unique and desirable vessels using traditional crystal glass techniques.
2. Food and Beverage Packaging - Businesses in the food and beverage packaging industry can explore ways to incorporate eco-friendly and sustainable design practices into their packaging products to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
3. Craft and Design Retail - Businesses in the craft and design retail industry can explore the potential for applying advanced techniques to seemingly mundane objects to create desirable and upgraded products that appeal to consumers in search of unique design.