Uhel, cognac glass
Course project, 2019, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
Role Industrial Design
Focus Compact functionality
Challenge
The challenge was to find a new perspective on a highly traditional object without compromising usability, aiming for a more thoughtful and intuitive redesign.
Úhel is a glass designed with the intention of elevating the tasting experience of whiskey and cognac. As a designer, I approached the project by studying traditional tasting glasses—their proportions, their role in aroma concentration, and their ritualistic use—and then reinterpreting those principles through a more contemporary lens.
The form is intentionally reduced to its essentials. The exterior is clean and understated, almost architectural in its simplicity, yet defined by a single, precisely considered sharp edge. This edge is not merely aesthetic; it introduces a point of interaction. It acts as a subtle indicator of the ideal pour level, guiding the user without the need for markings.
It has just enough weight to keep it standing both steady in traditional way, but is also able to rest on its side. It's important for cognac that it can breathe before tasting. That is why Úhel can be put sideways, for then the content in glass can breathe better. Úhel comes with Wooden platform to keep it steady on your surface.
Through this balance of tradition and modernity, Úhel becomes both a functional object and a quiet statement—reflecting my interest in how minimal interventions can reshape familiar experiences.
