Industrial - Bachelors

BELO

BELO focuses on the sustainability of cafes and coffee shops in Australia. Inspired by the designer's experiences in hospitality & discovered research, the aim was to tackle the problem of single-use, paper cup usage that affects the sustainability of the industry.

Elliot Carter

BELO

What is Belo?

Belo is an innovative reusable cup that is integrated with a water bottle to offer an improved user experience and to overcome the barriers coffee drinkers face with the reusable cup experience. The cup features a food-safe silicone body with embedded living hinges, and recycled HDPE components and has been designed to be highly collapsible, easily repaired and fun to use. The main features of the design lie in the interaction between the cup and the water bottle. There is a compartment built into the water bottle that flawlessly stores the collapsed cup offering leak-free transport and encouraging users to remember their cups. The bellows design of the cups allows water to be pumped up the water bottle into the cup, through the one-way valve in the bottom of the cup, to allow users to wash their cup on the go. This feature targets the barrier of carrying a dirty cup identified in the research. The novel experience of the collapsing cup also increases the enjoyment of using the product to encourage the use of the cup.

The Design Journey

Phase 1: Research

During the research phase, the sustainability of cafes and coffee shops was investigated. Through surveys, interviews and observations the key waste breakdowns of coffee shops were identified. From the research, the 4 main waste types of food, milk, coffee and packaging were identified.

95% of Participants pinpointed packaging waste as a problem and reusable coffee cup development was identified as the 2nd best opportunity for improving the sustainability of cafes.

After identifying the target area for intervention I conducted more desktop research to find out why people were not using keep cups and what barriers users were facing. Transport and convenience, risk of leaking and cleaning were the 3 main barriers identified and gave me clear goals to work towards.

CLICK TO VIEW THE RESEARCH REVIEW

Collection of prototypes from project. Cardboard, foam, paper and 3D printed prototypes

Phase 2: Prototyping and Testing

After identifying the project direction and discovering the 3 problems my design needed to tackle I began prototyping. Initially, I looked into origami-style folding and collapsing objects and how they could lead to a more convenient cup to carry when it’s not in use. Many options for the collapsing mechanism were explored in mediums from cardboard and elastic, paper, foam, silicone, metal springs, and flexible 3D filaments.

This extensive explorative prototyping was extremely satisfying and led me through many iterations of the cup body. The final shape offers the best collapsibility, most comfortable grip and familiar shape while maintaining a unique aesthetic.

You can see some of the prototypes in more detail below.

CLICK TO VIEW DESIGN DEVELOPMENT RECORD

Phase 3: Design Development

BELO has been designed to combat the 3 main barriers to use with the aim of increasing the use of reusable cups. The innovative circular bellows fold used in the silicone body of the cup means the cup is super collapsible. This means the cup is smaller and more convenient to carry. The collapsible cup incorporated with the water bottle offers easier remembering as water bottles are one of the most commonly carried everyday items. The water bottle has also been designed with a separate compartment at the base to provide a water-tight carry case and reduce the risk of residue leakage.

The final feature utilities the flexible shape of the cup and a one-way valve to draw water up the drinking straw into the cup. This design uses the water in the bottle to offer users on-the-go washing, allowing the cup to be rinsed conveniently. This offers a unique experience and reduces the uncomfortable experience of carrying a dirty cup around.

Belo Details

Belo In Action

Elliot Carter

Elliot is a Brisbane-based Industrial Designer originally from the Sunshine Coast. Throughout his studies, Elliot has found an interest in user-centred design and the sustainability responsibility of emerging designers