# Faux Filled Coffee Cups Nendo's Starbucks Cups Feature Coffee Designs on the Bottom By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2014-03-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-cups References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/design/mug-collection-for-starbucks-japan-by-nendo-03-13-2014/) & [nendo.jp](http://www.nendo.jp/en/works/mug-americano-mug-latte-mug-caramel-macchiato-2/?erelease) For the series of 'Mug Americano' [Starbucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-mount-fuji-glass-mug) cups, Japanese design studio [Nendo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perfect-3way-glass) took a playful, optimistic approach to the coffee mug designs. Part of Nendo's philosophy is to always see the "glass as half-full, never half-empty" and this mentality is cleverly worked into the design of these coffee cups. The Mug Americano series celebrates three of Starbucks most iconic drinks: the Latte, Caramel Macchiato and the Americano. From the right side up, the cups initally don't look like much at all, since they are minimal, white and only have vertical "Starbucks" type running up the side. But the real whimsy comes when you turn the coffee cups over, completely upside down, where you'll find that the bottoms of the cups have been made to look like there's actual coffee inside. The playful Mug Americano sets will be available at Starbucks Japan shops as of March 19th. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/design/mug-collection-for-starbucks-japan-by-nendo-03-13-2014/), [nendo.jp](http://www.nendo.jp/en/works/mug-americano-mug-latte-mug-caramel-macchiato-2/?erelease) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 66% | Activity: 65% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Playful Design:** Designs that incorporate whimsy and fun into everyday items have the potential to disrupt traditional product offerings. - **Innovative Packaging:** Creative packaging that surprises and delights customers can set products apart in competitive markets. - **Upside-down Marketing:** Marketing that focuses on the unexpected, like turning a coffee cup upside down, can create buzz and drive customer engagement. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Food and Beverage:** Innovative packaging and playful design elements that surprise and delight customers are opportunities for companies to differentiate their food and beverage products. - **Retail:** Upside-down marketing tactics that create buzz and drive customer engagement can be applied to retail environments, attracting new customers and increasing sales. - **Design:** The use of playful design in everyday products is an opportunity for designers to infuse imagination, creativity and novelty into people's lives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Landmark-Inspired Glass Mugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-mount-fuji-glass-mug.md) - [Fantastical Film-Inspired Coffee Carriers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-x-wicked-tumblers.md) - [Dusk Floral Coffee Carriers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sakura-drinkware-collection.md) - [Playful Coffee Merch Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-x-mofusand.md) - [Miniature Cafe Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miniature-collection-to-go.md) - [Pastel-Hued Winter Tumblers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shining-winter.md) - [Custom Apron-Wearing Tumblers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/custom-stainless-steel-bottle.md) - [Limited-Edition Cup Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shade-akanbi.md) - [Minimalist Collaboration Coffee Carriers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-x-fragment-design-collection.md)