NAMU
type
Individual project
duration
November - December 2024
Commensality encompasses the shared act of dining together, fostering establishing, and reinforcing social bonds and relationships. Found in diverse settings, both formal and informal, and involving a variety of foods, commensality stands as a fundamental cornerstone of human culture and society, playing a vital role in shaping social interactions and fostering meaningful connections.
Namu is a redesign of a commonly used tableware in Korean culture called sokuri. The design focuses on maintaining the tableware's purpose while enhancing user experience.
research
Korean BBQ
Grilling meat at the table fosters a communal atmosphere, encouraging diners to cook together, while sharing side dishes enhances this social experience.
쌈 Ssam
Ssam is a traditional Korean way of eating vegetables, where a shared platter of lettuce serves as a key side in Korean BBQ, allowing diners to make wraps with rice, sauces, or meat.
ì†Œì¿ ë¦¬ Sokuri
Sokuri, a common tableware for serving ssam, is a woven basket designed to drain excess water and keep vegetables fresh. Today, many are made from plastic but retain the same form.
pain point
Contamination
Piled vegetables are not sanitary when sharing. Everyone digs through the pile with their hands, which contaminates the vegetables.
Leakage
Excess water draining on the table due the gaps between the weaves without any drainage tray.
Acess
Having all different kinds of vegetables piled up in one tableware is not efficient when sharing. People have to constantly ask each other and dig in for the ones that they want.
problem statement
How can sokuri be redesigned while maintaining its functionality and feel?
ideation
fabrication
The bottom container and the middle frame of each section are secured with joinery. The curves are achieved by vacuum-forming bending plywood with walnut veneers. Lastly, all parts are glued together.
Namu
Namu, redesigned ssam container, is dedicated to enhancing the health-conscious dining experience. Inspired by the Korean word "namu," meaning tree, the product embodies a visual harmony between itself and the lettuce, evoking a wholesome atmosphere at the dining table.
Namu caters to two people positioned opposite each other, allowing effortless access to the lettuce, ensuring convenience for all.
Retaining the positive aspects of the traditional sokuri, Namu effectively drains excess water while eliminating any potential mess on the table. The vertical design eliminates the need for rummaging within sokuri to find the desired lettuce, as Namu allows for effortless similar action that of taking a tissue. Similar to how ssam unites various ingredients into a single bite, Namu fosters a sense of togetherness among all individuals gathered at the dining table.
