This is a new design for tableware called Facing Food.

It consists out of 10 parts (6 plates, 3 bowls and 1 cup). Each of them in a left and right looking version. This makes 20 different pieces.

Due to the enormous amount of tableware already on the market my challenge was to design a new kind of chinaware that would really stand out.

A new approach that would give the sector, users and end-users a new dimension in several different ways: cultural, social, inspirational and humorous.

To make a refreshing design of chinaware I approached the plates from a 3D level, meaning that the plates were looked at as a body. Taking that into account I tried to combine this with a touch of humor.

Before we started this project we talked to several owners and chefs of restaurants to really understand the demands they have when they consider buying new chinaware.

The product should be easily stackable, fit in the dishwasher, have no sharp edges, be not too heavy and be cost effective. On top of that, it should be original and instantly recognisable.

Although Facing Food looks rather easy to produce, it is nothing like it. Each part of the chinaware is unique curved and designed with a great attention to detail. Each plate or bowl has a different face.

To be able to make these different shapes, we made a lot of 3D rapid prototypes in search for the correct shape. The same story goes for the eyes: the size and placement of each dot are very important for the final look of each plate.

During the prototyping phase we experimented with the thickness and the nominal shrinking of the porcelain during production (which is 17%). Next to that, we put a lot of energy looking for the right type of color and a functional good looking package. This goes along with the name and logo of this product.

This chinaware is designed for mass production and is very accessible for everybody: from a 3 star chef to a household cook.

Because Facing Food exists of different faces, you can make a lot of combinations between them.

In fact, each time you put them on a table, you'll create new dialogues with the food and the users. This playful approach is meant to bring a lot of joy.

As we all know, porcelain is a very solid material, hygienic, highly reusable, sustainable and recyclable.

This design sits on the boundary between art and design. You can easily make an installation with the plates against a wall, acting like objects. Or you could use them as chinaware to eat off.

In both cases a lot of dialogue and incentives to interact with food and each other will encourage you to to bring people together and be socially (inter)active.

This project does not have any nutritional elements.