Published December 2007
Ceramic artist David Pier describes his Lux-Delux mug as the “ultimate coffee cup.” It's ergonomically designed and unconventional. Is it pottery of the future, or just weird? You be the judge!
Key Features
The Lux-Delux mugs are plenty of fun. They are:
- Ergonomically designed and artfully stackable
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Finest lead-free porcelain
- A funky gift idea
- Printed with the Gimme! logo
- 12 fluid ounces
The Designer Speaks
David Pier explains his original idea:
“After thousands of years of ceramic history you might think there isn’t anything significant left to try in the design of cups with handles. The fact that unusual mugs usually are awkward to use would reinforce this idea. However, after years of designing ceramics, I realized that all conventional coffee cup designs were determined more by the manufacturing and design processes than by the needs of the coffee cup user. What does a perfect cylinder have to do with the shape of the human hands or lips? It is merely a simple shape that is easy to make on a lathe, turntable, or in a CAD program.”
Why Be Different?
Pier clarifies that the Lux-Delux is not different just to be different:
“By using a different approach to the design process I developed a revolutionary cup that is unusual and beautiful in appearance and superior in function. The form flows from the shape of hand and mouth, the weight and volume of the contained fluid, and the relations between these. The undulating rim fits the lips better and prevents spills on the side opposite the handle. A level rim would be easy for the factory but would lessen the user's experience. The design no longer is dictated by the manufacturing process.
The oval body brings the center of gravity closer to the hand. The shape helps make the strong porcelain even more resistant to breakage. The shape is attractive and interesting from any angle. The handle and body can be held in several ways, all more comfortable than traditional mugs. The shape breaks free of a nearly universal design constraint of cups, the linear vertical axis, which is dictated by the starting point for most designs being a blank made on a lathe or other such device.
By sculpting my prototype from a lump of clay using only the simplest of hand tools, the design no longer is dictated by the design process. Unlike most coffee cups you see in the big coffee shop chains, this isn’t just a gimmicky variation on a tired old shape.”
World Champion Barista Weighs In
From the blog of James Hoffmann, 2007 World Champion Barista:
“I am, by nature, a skeptic and I guess you see a lot of cups and new designs but these interested me enough for me to immediately place an order for a couple... I think one thing that endeared the cups to me was the handle design — you can use it traditionally or put your thumb through and cradle it, which I like. It was also interesting to drink from a curved rim.”
How to Drink
It's a little adventure when you first sip from a Lux-Delux. There might be some dribbling down the chin, a slight learning curve. Don't be shy. Put on your art class smock and let her rip. Try the handle grip, the cradle grip, the do-your-own-thing grip. Feel a touch of creative freedom in your morning coffee.