Aria draws inspiration from lotus leaf dewdrops, emulating their hemispherical shape and surface protrusions. Aira seamlessly combines ergonomic and biomimicry principles with eight interconnected protrusions, minimizing temperature transfer and enhancing grip comfort. Beyond functionality, Aira offers a personalized experience for users. Each protrusion acts as a responsive convex lens, providing visual feedback to changes in liquid volumes, viewing angles, and ambient light within the glass. This creates an unparalleled, personalized, and immersive whisky-drinking experience.

INSPIRATION Aria draws inspiration from lotus leaf dewdrops, embracing their hemispherical shape and surface protrusions, creating a lens-like effect in sunlight for observers to distinctly perceive lotus leaf textures. This results from the interplay between water droplet surface tension and the microscopic structure of lotus leaves. By emulating the organic shape of dewdrops, Aria acquires a more vibrant appearance, and the optical phenomenon bestows static glass with a distinctive interactive experience.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION Aira's design incorporates ergonomic and biomimicry principles, utilizing eight interconnected protrusions to minimize temperature transfer and enhance friction, ensuring a secure and comfortable grip with hot/cold liquids. Aira provides a personalized experience, captivating sight, taste, and smell. Each protrusion is a convex lens, elevating the refractive of glass, resulting in varied visual effects based on liquid volumes, viewing angles, and ambient light conditions.

INTERACTION Each protrusion of Aria acting as a convex lens enhances the crystal's brightness and refractive properties. Aira's unique adaptability encourages distinct interactions, responding to shifts in liquid volumes, viewing angles, and ambient light conditions within the glass. It offers timely visual feedback, ensuring that no two moments are ever captured identically. This interaction delivers an unparalleled, personalized, and immersive whisky-drinking experience.

PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION The project started in Milan in March 2023 and was completed in Milan in early July 2023.

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY Aira is a 32 CL whisky glass made from lead-free crystal by skilled artisans. It showcases clear textures and exquisite details while ensuring the use of safe materials for both humans and the environment.

DIMENSION Dimensions: 85 mm tall, 79 mm width, 63 mm depth. Total capacity approx. 200 ml. Recommended pour 20 to 32 ml. Weight: 150 grams.

RESEARCH ABSTRACT Research Type: User Research Research Objectives: To design a unique, comfortable to grip whiskey glass that allows interaction with users. Methodology: Human-centered Design I used interviews, surveys, and participant observation to gather data. Employing the affinity diagram for data analysis, I ultimately derived six key insights representing user needs. Additionally, I collected hand-size data from 50 volunteers through measurements and used regression analysis to confirm the most appropriate glass dimensions for both men and women. To validate my design, I 3d printed several prototypes for user testing. I kept iterating based on user feedback. The final solution met my design expectations. The impact of my design research on society and design is the correction of gender bias in whiskey glass design. Traditional glass sizes are predominantly designed for men, neglecting the needs of female users. Aira aims to address this issue.