OUTOTSU transforms the everyday ritual of drinking into an interaction between form, function, and material. Developed by UMENODESIGN INC., the project pairs a uniquely shaped glass with an absorbent coaster, allowing the two objects to work together through concave and convex surfaces. Lead designer Satoshi Umeno shares how observations of water movement, Japanese craftsmanship, and a desire to simplify small daily frustrations shaped a design that enhances aroma, taste, and usability simultaneously.
Project Overview
OUTOTSU is a glass and coaster set designed around interlocking concave and convex forms. The protrusion at the bottom of the glass creates convection when drinks are poured, naturally enhancing aroma, taste, and foam without stirring.
Paired with an absorbent Shirasu coaster that prevents sticking and absorbs condensation, the set combines sensory experience, craftsmanship, and functional tableware design.
- Winning Project: OUTOTSU
- Winning Category: Best of Best in HOME- Kitchen: Tableware
- Firm: UMENODESIGN INC.
Lead Designer: Satoshi Umeno
Interview with Satoshi Umeno
1. What was the brief or challenge behind your award-winning project, and what key goals guided your approach?
Satoshi Umeno: I found it troublesome to stir drinks with a muddler, and I hated coasters sticking to the glass. I wondered what design would solve these two problems. As a result, I came up with the uneven “OUTOTSU” design, which combines a convex glass with a Shirasu coaster.
2. What sparked the initial idea for the project, and how did that concept evolve into the final design outcome?
Satoshi Umeno: In Japan, where the water is soft, people use vertical washing machines rather than drum-type washing machines, and they make good use of the convection effect to wash clothes. It was while observing this that the idea of the convection effect came to me.
3. Can you describe your design process for this project, from early exploration to final execution?
Satoshi Umeno: We created a protrusion at the bottom of the glass, inserted small beads, and visually observed the movement of the water, studying the angle. As a result, we came up with the best structure: a glass that stirs the drink just by pouring it in.
4. What were the main challenges you faced during development, and how did you resolve them while maintaining clarity, usability, or visual strength?
Satoshi Umeno: The prototype was made with resin, but making it with glass was difficult. Maintaining the delicate angle was difficult, and it required the skill of a craftsman to complete. The coaster that absorbs water droplets was extremely difficult to achieve, as it required a good balance of durability and absorbency.
5. What do you consider the most distinctive or successful aspect of the project, and why?
Satoshi Umeno: The most distinctive feature is that there is no need to mix it due to the convection effect. Also, the aroma is more pronounced, making it taste better. Another attractive feature is that it can be used as a set with the dedicated water coaster using the uneven surface.
6. If you had to explain this project to someone outside the design industry, what would you say is its true value or impact
Satoshi Umeno: If you try using OUTOTSU to drink the drinks you normally drink, you will understand the greatness of this product. You will appreciate how the design fulfills the roles of both the glass and the coaster.
7. Looking back, what is one decision you made during this project that significantly shaped the final result?
Satoshi Umeno: Everyone was opposed to combining glass with other materials because it would pose a major problem of precision. I wanted to take on the challenge of doing something that everyone else was against, so I spared no effort in making the impossible a reality. As a result, I was able to complete my ideal product.
8. What does receiving a Design MasterPrize mean to you, and how do you see it influencing your future work or direction
Satoshi Umeno: Winning the award made me realize that my design was not wrong. A design that combines convenience and beauty may seem like a very Japanese way of thinking, but it is proof that it has resonated with people overseas as well, and I would like to continue selling it around the world with confidence.
ConclusioN
By combining sensory enhancement with practical functionality, OUTOTSU reimagines the relationship between glass and coaster through a distinctly thoughtful approach to design. UMENODESIGN INC.’s project transforms small everyday frustrations into opportunities for innovation, blending craftsmanship, material experimentation, and Japanese design philosophy into a refined tableware experience.
