ELD Tea Set

There’s a growing need to bridge the gap between older and younger generations to reduce isolation and foster mutual understanding.

Duration:

14 weeks project 2024 Summer

Focus:

This project seeks to build a symbolic bridge between elders and youth—through a ceremonial object that fosters shared presence and the exchange of intrinsic values. More than a product, it becomes a quiet ritual, a vessel of memory, meaning, and mutual recognition.

Skill Set:

Research

Ideations

Sketch

Story Telling

3D Modeling

Tea Ceremony

The ELD Tea Set is designed to build a communication bridge between younger and older generations, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and encourage meaningful storytelling.

Lack of Communication

Why there's a lack of communication between senior and youth?

Age barrier
No common topics
Feel lonely sometimes
The needs to build communication bridge with new generation

By 2030, one in six people globally will be aged over 60.

By 2050, the world’s population of people aged over 60 will have doubled to 2.1 billion.

Loneliness & Isolation

29% of older adults report feeling isolated sometimes or often (2024).

During early COVID-19, this rose to 56%.

27% of U.S. adults aged 60+ live alone.

Nearly 50% of women over 75 live alone.

Meditation Vibe

As the world accelerates, the need for stillness deepens. Meditation becomes more than a practice—it is a gentle return to presence, a quiet resistance to distraction, and a pathway to reconnect with the self in an age of noise.

Seeds of Design

Ideation for problem solving, fun sketch to innovate based on styling.

No need to worry about unsteady hands—this design supports comfortable use for elders.

Tea set design that reimagines traditional tea rituals with modern simplicity.

The video showcases how form, texture, and interaction are crafted to enhance the user's sensory and emotional engagement.

Tea Set Ceremony

The ritual itself slows down interactions, allowing for thoughtful conversation rather than rushed exchanges of information.

Design to foster communication between senior and youth.

Form exploration guided by empathy—to discover shapes and gestures that honor tradition while offering comfort, clarity, and ease for elders in daily use.

Gaiwan

Tea Set
(Tea Cupx2+Gaiwan+Tray)

Design to foster communication between senior and youth.

A modern tea set inspired by the Chinese Gaiwan—designed as a ceremonial bridge between generations, where shared rituals foster connection and quiet exchange.

Stability Through Stacking

Minimalism

Resting Forms

Secure Design

The key feature provides the user a secure feeling, there's no worry the tea set might fall because of shaky hands.

Ergonomic

The tea set is shaped with intuitive curves and guided placements that naturally support the hand—reducing strain and ensuring comfort for elderly users during every step of the tea ritual.

Intrinsic Value

Afternoon tea offers a calm and friendly atmosphere where older adults can come together with loved ones or friends, fostering relationships and helping to reduce feelings of loneliness.

Problem Solving

Through a secure stacking mechanism and stabilized tray design, the set addresses challenges like shaky hands and limited grip strength—offering a safer, spill-resistant tea experience.

Color Choices

Merdacotta, made from cow dung and clay . The tea set is covered with a non-lead transparent glaze and baked.

Incorporate a modern yet timeless look, subtle floral patterns or minimalist shapes, that appeals to both seniors and youth, encouraging shared use during tea gatherings.