CAPSULE is designed with a lid that opens automatically when tipped, allowing you to pour smoothly from any direction with one hand. Seeking to create a minimal carafe that can be used intuitively, we carefully studied the optimal specifications of different parts.
The movable lid has a spindle that moves according to the change in the center of gravity, making the lid open and close automatically with the tilt of the bottle. The lid prevents dust from going inside, and it can be easily disassembled for washing. The bottle resists lingering odors and stains as it is made from heat-resistant glass, and while it has a wide mouth, its slim body makes it easy to store. The filter of the cold brew carafe uses fine mesh material which helps to keep the fine powders of tea leaves and ground coffee from escaping.
In partnership with KINTO’s product development team, Toshihiro Aya of Japanese design studio o-lab worked on the design of CAPSULE. He shared with us his inspiration and ideas behind the design.
“CAPSULE's most notable feature is that you can pour from any direction just by tipping the carafe. In realizing this product, I aimed to create a simple form which would allow users to imagine an intuitive, smooth pouring motion. While simple in appearance, CAPSULE is a fruit of countless detailed studies and creative considerations regarding the optimal sizes of different parts, as well as the specification and production method of the spindle. In working on the cold brew carafe, I worked to maintain the intuitive usability and the clean lines which characterize this collection. It was a challenge to achieve both functionality and aesthetic elegance, but in working closely with the KINTO product development team, I think we were able to reach a solution. We put in a lot of thought into this carafe design, so that users can use it without any thought. As a minimal, modern tool and an intuitive design, I hope that CAPSULE can contribute to adding a bit of enrichment to people's daily lives."
“CAPSULE's most notable feature is that you can pour from any direction just by tipping the carafe. In realizing this product, I aimed to create a simple form which would allow users to imagine an intuitive, smooth pouring motion. While simple in appearance, CAPSULE is a fruit of countless detailed studies and creative considerations regarding the optimal sizes of different parts, as well as the specification and production method of the spindle. In working on the cold brew carafe, I worked to maintain the intuitive usability and the clean lines which characterize this collection. It was a challenge to achieve both functionality and aesthetic elegance, but in working closely with the KINTO product development team, I think we were able to reach a solution. We put in a lot of thought into this carafe design, so that users can use it without any thought. As a minimal, modern tool and an intuitive design, I hope that CAPSULE can contribute to adding a bit of enrichment to people's daily lives."
Designer Profile
Toshihiro Aya
Founded 'o-lab' in 2011 and established 'o-lab Inc.' in 2016. After receiving Master's degrees from Kyoto University and Yale University, worked at a pharmaceutical company and at a design studio in the USA. He is involved in product design, branding, and creative direction of various projects ranging from household products to advanced medical equipments.
