Stupid design won’t improve your coffee « Dear Coffee, I Love You. | A Coffee Blog for Caffeinated Inspiration.

Stupid design won’t improve your coffee

01.26

Slip our HandiSleeve by Umbra® around your to-go cup of coffee and you’ve got a convenient, comfortable handle! It’s cleverly designed so that it fits around disposable cups and in most automobile cupholders. It’s a great gift for commuters and coffee aficionados alike.

You’ve also got a really dumb, unnecessary product. It’s a mug without a bottom! If you’re going to carry that thing with you, you might as well just bring a mug. I’ve seen this highlighted on a few design blogs and I’ve got to say that this kind of irresponsible design shouldn’t be praised. Love your coffee all you want, but seriously? There’s nothing clever about this.

posted by bwj on 01.26.2010, under Design, Products

{ 5 comments } :| { Tags: Design, dumb, stupid, to-go, wasteful }

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I like the concept behind the mug, but yeah it’s a mug without a bottom At that point you’re right, skip the paper mug that goes in it and just carry around your own travel mug.

Mike Crimmins ( 01/26/2010 at 9:50 pm )

Yeah, except a travel mug has to be washed out at some point — this you can just toss back into your bag when you’re done. I agree that it’s pretty dopey, but it’s not exactly interchangeable.

lisa ( 01/27/2010 at 9:17 am )

But there’s a good chance where ever a person is, they can access a bathroom or just pour out any excess on the ground. When dealing with a problem as large as our excessive waste, I don’t believe “but a mug has to be washed out” is a strong enough excuse (though it’s a good enough rationalization for most people). Designers should be solving problems, this product perpetuates one.

bwj ( 01/27/2010 at 9:33 am )

Just add the bottom to it and you’ve got a nice portable mug. I agree with Mike, the concept is interesting. Maybe rework the concept and create something that solves a problem.

dailydemitasse ( 01/27/2010 at 10:24 am )