When faced up, it serves as a milk cup, but when faced upside down, this design mimics the shape of an old-school ceramic milk jug. The Milk Cup prototype by Japanese design studio Tent1000 is uniquely self-referential—only when seen from a different perspective.
The cork bottom of the milk cup acts as a grip when the cup is placed on the table. But when the cup is empty and flipped, the round cork resembles a cork-topper for a jar. When filled with milk, the cup is not outstandingly eye-catching. But because of the clever streamlined shape of the cup, the Milk Cup looks like a cork-topped milk jug when upside-down. Most meta designs look like the object being referred to. The Milk Cup may look mundane when in use, but it will surprise you with its ulterior motive.
Milk Jar-Mimicking Cups
This Milk Cup Looks Like a Ceramic Milk Jug When Faced Down
Trend Themes
1. Self-referential Design - Opportunities for product design that cleverly incorporates self-referential elements.
2. Disguised Design - Potential for products that transform visually or functionally when viewed or used in a different way.
3. Innovative Grip Design - Potential for products that use grip design as a unique and innovative feature.
Industry Implications
1. Tableware - Opportunities for tableware companies to incorporate self-referential design elements into their products.
2. Home Decor - Potential for home decor companies to create products that visually transform when viewed from different perspectives.
3. Consumer Goods - Opportunities for consumer goods companies to innovate grip design and incorporate it into their products.