Butter Warmer


client: Focus Products Group


18/8 Stainless-Steel two piece butter warmer


SKILLS & TOOLS UTILIZED
pen, pencil and marker
Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator
Rhino 3D
AutoCAD / Mechanical Desktop



The top is designed to have a subtle locking system to keep the detachable butter dish secure.



The butter dish detaches from the warmer; with the ability to sit on the user’s surface as its own piece.

 
The legs are designed to securely fit within the standing base. This accomodates the manufacturing process while providing the desired stability.




C&B Butter Warmer


client: Crate & Barrel


18/8 Stainless-Steel two piece butter warmer


SKILLS & TOOLS UTILIZED
pen, pencil and marker
Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator
Rhino 3D
AutoCAD / Mechanical Desktop





The edges of the dish are pressed and remain attached for easy cleaning. It simultaneously provides the flame enough oxygen to burn, while providing a unique ambience through Crate & Barrel’s chosen lobster design.


The ramekin base is designed to unscrew and detach. This feature allows for easy flame lighting and prevents the user from touching hot metal when finished. 





My Process


The pattern and utility were designed through a partnership between myself, the product manager and Crate & Barrel. My design process utilized market research, brainstorming, creating several rough sketches, providing the client with 3D concept renderings, drawing up the mechanicals, then testing and re-testing factory samples.





Market Research


I purchased and tested several butter warmers that were currently on the market. Identifying their strengths and weaknesses, I applied that knowledge towards my brainstorming and ideation process.



Quick Concepts & Renderings




Based upon my market research, I established the most effective traits I wanted to utilize.

I quickly brainstormed then sketched out basic ideas. Using Rhino 3D, I provided the product manager and Crate & Barrel’s head buyer with multiple concepts.



Prototyping & Testing



Once the preferred design was chosen, I used AutoCAD to create mechanicals for the engineering of samples and more testing.


Based upon my mechanicals, samples were created to further refine the form and engineering process. Upon receiving the samples, I was able to narrow down my design based upon feedback from the Product Manager and Crate & Barrel.





Final Design


My final design is a two piece 18/8 Stainless-Steel butter warmer.

It features a detachable base that allows for a convenient way to light the ramekin. It also provides a unique ambience as the lobster cut-outs are illuminated from within and was a top seller for Crate & Barrel.






Coffee Bag Clips


client: Crate & Barrel


I designed various sizes of coffee bag clips that keep the user’s coffee fresh.
SKILLS & TOOLS UTILIZED
pen, pencil and marker
Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator
Rhino 3D
AutoCAD / Mechanical Desktop




Laser-etching was used to provide the
clips a unique coffee cup design.



Collection of Colanders


client: Williams-Sonoma


1.5-Qt, 3-Qt, 5-Qt Stainless-Steel colanders


SKILLS & TOOLS UTILIZED
pen, pencil and marker
Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator
Rhino 3D
AutoCAD / Mechanical Desktop




Rolled edges provide a softer profile.



Designed to resemble flower petals.



Egg Boiling Rack


client: Williams-Sonoma


A table center piece and a tool used to place
six eggs into a pot of boiling water.

SKILLS & TOOLS UTILIZED
pen, pencil and marker
Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator
Rhino 3D
AutoCAD / Mechanical Desktop




A cast metal chicken as the decorative finial.




Rolled edges to provide a sleeker profile.



Egg Separator


client: Williams-Sonoma


An 18/8 Stainless-Steel utensil designed to separate
the egg whites while cupping the yolk within its basin.


SKILLS & TOOLS UTILIZED
pen, pencil and marker
Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator
Rhino 3D
AutoCAD / Mechanical Desktop




The lip of the separator is designed to grip or rest on the edge of a bowl or cup.



I designed the steel cut-out windows to easily allow the egg white to pass through while keeping the yolk secured in the basin.



I designed the unique keyhole to nest with other utensils in this line.

The curvature of the handle was designed to rest comfortably in your hand. It also needed to maintain balance and control if laid across a bowl or cup.