Multi-media: Ceramics, Design, Wire, Metal, Leather, ink, slip, tea, mocha tea, cardboard, tissue paper, plastic, coffee strainer
One Steep is a personal tea kit to help young adults reconnect with themselves and to introduce or bring mindfulness back into their daily lives. This tea kit is especially designed to help students take time to relax and disconnect from the distractions of today’s culture. One Steep includes everything the users will need: one teapot, one cup, and two hand made teabags filled with loose-leaf tea.
The kit is a modern spin on traditional tea rituals. The Becoming One Ritual, gives the user two different ways of achieving relaxation and wholeness. By the end the user will be more aware of their mind and more aware of the present moment. Handmade ceramic teapots and cups fit together in a unique way to become one unit. The cup fits underneath the teapot, hidden from view when not in use. By hand building each teapot and cup it continues the idea of reconnecting to self. The design on the teapot is created from a technique called mocha diffusion, a growth of organic crystallized branches. This technique captures the beauty of nature elegantly and also uses black tea as one of the ingredients to make the mocha tea acid. By using ink and water, a similar aesthetic to the mocha diffusion designs on the teapots and cups have been incorporated into the packaging design. Creating these designs on paper is a very similar process as the mocha diffusion technique on ceramics. The key to creating both techniques successfully is being present; the artist must make sure to get the correct wetness of the material in order to apply the design.
This tea kit is a way to promote the benefits and meditative use of tea. The kit not only helps the user but also directly addresses the needs of college students who suffer from stress related disorders. With each One Steep tea kit sold, a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, an international non-profit organization; whose mission is to help improve the lives of those who suffer from anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and other related disorders. ADAA is the leader in education, training, and research for these disorders. They strive to improve the scientific knowledge about the causes and treatments for those who suffer. They truly care about people and want to work to reduce the stigma around these disorders and help spread awareness. For more information about this association please visit their website at www.adaa.org.
Download my thesis book to see my process.
Awards:
The James W. Strong Graphic Design Studio Achievement Award
The Monnier Family Foundation Outstanding Artist Award