2023 Winner
Landmark
by Dianrui Fu
“I want to challenge the conventional placement of cutlery. Inspired by a pick-up sticks game, I want to make the cutlery attract diners' attention more actively.
I regard each dining table as a little city of food, cutlery is a vital component of this city undoubtedly. This cutlery could be considered as a landmark in table city. This collection invites people to reassess their familiar cutlery and think about the character it played on their dining table.
The designed joint makes three classical elements of cutlery (a knife, a fork and a spoon) constitute a whole. When they are separated and held by users, fingers contacting one of the cutlery could echo the other two pieces of cutlery.
The simplicity of its shape balance function and aesthetics. This cutlery could also represent different personalities by adjusting its thickness and length. This collection is designed to be made of sterling silver, and the parts which touch the mouth such as the bowl and tines are designed with a polished finish for increased comfort.
Statement by the Judges
An original and characterful design that commands attention to its elegant structure and unusual configuration.
Runner Up
“My design removes the bulk of traditional cutlery and strips it back to its fundamental purposes - to scoop, poke and cut. The handle in my design is for the sole purpose of supporting its attachment whether it is attached to the head of the spoon, fork or knife.”
Statement by the Judges
Light and airy, yet strong. Clean lines, appealing aesthetics and beautiful proportions are encapsulated in this well thought out design.
Down to the Wire(frame)
by Yosef Salihmurad
Highly Commended
“Having experienced dexterity issues in the past, resilience and adaptation is critical for an independent life. With that concept in mind, I have designed an ergonomic cutlery set, comprising knife, fork and spoon to enable the user to hold the cutlery handle from multi-directional grips, to accommodate their dexterity impairment such as arthritis, oedema, dupuytren's etc.
Designed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user through its unique contemporary design. Made from titanium, it is 45% lighter than stainless steel & twice as strong as Aluminium.”
Statement of the Judges
An innovative design with dexterity at the forefront, this cutlery is immensely versatile and practical with its multi-directional grips
Resilience Collection
by Linda Pitcher
Highly Commended
“I am interested in exploring constructive making processes to develop complex and mechanical objects. I am particularly interested in subverting the expectations of how these objects can be used. For instance, with the cutlery I was particularly interested in diagnosing movements individual to the knife, fork and spoon in order to alter people’s habits when using eating implements.
My Articulated Cutlery still has all of the features of conventional cutlery and this is intentional.
I want the unassuming remnants of ‘conventional’ cutlery to fool people into assuming how they function and continue to act on their pre-existing habits of how they would use these implements. Each piece of cutlery requires two hands to use, which is the reason why there is no cutting knife in the set. It would be impossible to hold and operate the knife and the fork at the same time (without a second pair of hands).
The cutlery operates in the same manner as any normal cutlery until it encounters food, then it moves.
The spoon has a counterweight, which means it can be positioned where the user chooses and will stay in that position until food is added, at which point the head of the spoon over-balances. Therefore, the user is required to hold it steady or learn how to use the tipping point to their advantage.
The user has to understand the cutlery to use it, which is primarily why there is no ‘signage’ of the pieces, no red lever or “stop here.”
Statement of the Judges
Quirky and clever, this surprising design brings something different to the table that would be fun and interesting to use.
Articulated Cutlery
by Nova Smith
