Nominee | Inclusive Design | 2021
kwer
The Kwer tableware set was developed to make it easier for people with various physical and mental disabilities to eat independently. The work began with a careful analysis of the difficulties and special needs of those affected, during which the designer benefited above all from the close cooperation of a friend with severe physical limitations, whose expertise strongly influenced the shape development of the set. This can be seen, for example, in the slope in the base of the tableware pieces and the strikingly raised rim of the plates to one side – both measures to make it easier to pick up food. Kwer is made of hard porcelain and is stackable. The choice of material underlines the value of the set and offers further advantages: the dishes can also be used in the microwave and cleaned in the dishwasher. A silicone ring on the underside prevents the plates from slipping and also helps to cushion any ungentle movements when the dishes are set down. So far, Kwer could only be realized as a prototype in 3D printing. In collaboration with a foundation, the search for potential partners for series production is currently underway.
Comments of the nominators
Eating independently, is enormously important for people who face difficulties in doing so. It means for them a piece of independence from outside help. The Kwer tableware set is a very elegant, self-explanatory product that makes it much easier for people with handicaps and the infirm to eat “properly”. The simple design is functionally convincing and does not allow associations with disability or frailty to arise in the first place.
More projects from edition 2021