KORA TEA SET
The KORA teapot and cups are inspired by the pomegranate…
In Greek mythology the pomegranate has a deep connection to Persephone, also known as Cora. The pomegranate symbolizes life, death, and renewal—duality that echoes in the organic yet structured forms of the set.
In winter, pomegranates are able to be savored, and in my family the ritual of having pomegranates with crushed black pepper and a cup of hot tea is tradition.
Much like the pomegranate invites connections, KORA creates a ritual of savoring and reflection, blending ancient myth with modern craft.
Course
Industrial Design: Advanced CAD
Year
January 2025
Software
Rhino 8
The Process
The process of sketching, designing, and rendering all happened in Rhino 8. I aimed to challenge myself to only use the SubD modeling. This type of modeling let me create and edit smooth and organic forms which worked well with creating a shape like the pomegranate.
KORA Teapot Base
Creating the form started with using a SubD sphere then manipulating the faces and edges by pushing and pulling to create the overall shape of the fruit. This was then manipulated further by using subdivision tools to add dimples and (symmetrical) imperfections to the shape. Finally, I added a foot to the bottom of the teapot so it would be able to stand flat.
KORA Teapot Lid
I wanted the lid of the teapot to fit flush with the base so I tried a few methods to create the connection point. My experiments included trying SubD Boolean splitting and difference tools but eventually I decided the best fit would be created by lofting two curves and then creating a SubD surface to join and manipulate the form.
KORA Teacup
Using what I had learned from constructing the teapot I took a similar approach to making the cups to match. I wanted them to be hand held and cupped the way you would hold a traditional teacup that has no handles. Additionally, this lets the design of the cup be highly stylistic and decorative. However, there are functional elements such as a proper lip for drinking out of and a spot to wrap a tea bag string.
