Humain – an inclusive coffee cup system for people with rheumatoid arthritis
An inclusive coffee cup system for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Designed to restore dignity, preserve ritual, and support ageing in place. Shaped through dialogue in a retirement home and hospitals, Humain is the result of transdisciplinary collaboration across design, occupational therapy, ceramics, metal techniques and photography.
In response, this project explores the design of ergonomic and aesthetically considered coffee cups with a modular system of handles tailored to different gripping abilities. The shapes and functions of the components were developed step-by-step through a combination of expert interviews and observational studies. This research-led process ensured that real-world usability and context-specific feedback informed the design, without relying on assumptions or abstractions.
Beyond the practical function, the project also values the sensory and ritual dimension of drinking coffee. The aim was to develop an object that feels pleasant and natural in the hand, retains the familiar coffee experience and blends into social or domestic environments without stigma.
