A speculative design project.
Nium is a tableware set composed by cutlery, a plate and a cup designed for the needs of 2050 people in developing countries dealing with food scarcity.
ieiunium noun
To fast.
The main purpose of every Nium piece is to induce presence and increase
the time used in the process of food consumption, avoiding the automatic intake of food and decreasing global levels of food overconsumption.
In 2050, it is expected that 80% of people in developing countries won't have access to many resources like food, clean water, technology and effective medicine, specially elder people. The world will face a food crisis to be able to feed 10 billion people.
Eating represents an important ritual in Mexican culture, it gives identity to people.
In order to be satisfied without over eating a person should take at least 20 minutes to eat.
The intention of Nium is to slow down the food intake process in order to make the user take 20 minutes or more to eat. Through the unconventional and uncomfortable design of the products a traditional eating process will be more difficult to manage.
Made out of frosted glass, Nium invites the user to stay in touch with textures and visual effects to bring them to the present act of eating glass, a Metaphor contrasting between life’s pace and the time consciousness required to eat.
Niumz a cutlery set composed by a fork,a knife and a spoon that makes uncomfortable and slow the process of eating.
Niumx is a double sided dish for its use depending on the type of food to consume whether is liquid or solid.
Niumk is a cup for drinking water, its infinite border creates the illusion of more water, since drinking water will be scarce.
It is intended that in 2050, Nium will be distributed by the government as a strategy to contain food overconsumption due to the global food scarcity crisis.
Nium pieces will also be available for purchase in supermarkets and specialty stores.
University of Monterrey
Bachelor in Industrial Design
Year 4 - 8th Term
Industrial Design Specialty Studies
Team:
Alejandra Garrido
Linda Martínez
Stephanie Cavazos
