Dalleh

This project explores the intersection of tradition and functionality by reimagining tools for serving Arabic coffee in portable settings, while preserving the cultural significance and communal spirit of Arabic coffee rituals.

Year                                       Fall 2024
Time                                      4 weeks
Team                                     Individual

Coffee   and Hospitality

Coffee holds a deep cultural significance across the Arab world, symbolizing hospitality, respect, and social connection. Its preparation and serving have been elevated to an art form, with specific rituals varying by region but always emphasizing care and tradition. This project builds on these cultural roots, reimagining tools for Arabic coffee with a modern approach to both form and function.

The  Issue  of  Mobility

People often take Arabic coffee to picnics, outdoor gatherings, and family events, where it’s an essential part of creating a welcoming and social atmosphere. However, this tradition can be tricky to manage with fragile ceramic cups, wasteful disposable ones, and bulky thermoses that lead to an unorganized presentation.

Goal:   Create a portable coffee set, while still reflecting the elegance of traditional coffee service.

Inspiration

This project is inspired by the warmth of shared gatherings and the geometric elegance of middle eastern mosaics, using interconnected patterns to create a design that feels friendly, practical, and inviting.

Building Patterns

I drew inspiration from traditional Levantine mosaics and motifs, which use repeated geometric shapes to create intricate patterns.

Form & Fit

Prototyping

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed working on this project as the theme is one that I am extremely passionate about. By learning more about the history of coffee service, I was able to understand what factors are integral to the creation of these tools, and researching materials and manufacturing methods made me much more confident in my decisions. Overall, this project taught me how design can preserve tradition while adapting to contemporary needs, a lesson that I am very grateful for.