The common coffee cup has been given an artistic face lift thanks to a illustrator and professor of design, Miguel Cardona; his illustrated coffee cups not only decorates the vessels mundane exterior, they help raise funds for charity. Inspired by a range of subject matter from comic books to television shows and more, his unusual choice of canvas has helped donate baby blankets, children's books and stuffed animals to children in homeless shelters through Project Night Night.
The illustrated coffee cups were inspired by a random act by a barista, who tied a napkin around a cup, which became a scarf on a hipster character Cardona ended up drawing on it. In terms of his unusual material, he says, "You don't need a desk, it can be done anywhere, and to protect it, you can stack it in another blank cup. The cup itself can hold your art supplies and is itself, a display stand, it's quite the perfect design."
Illustrated Coffee Cups
Artist Miguel Cardona Draws on To-Go Cups for Charity
Trend Themes
1. Illustrated Coffee Cups - Illustrated coffee cups become a way to donate to charity and create unique and artistic vessels for coffee.
2. Upcycling Coffee Cups - Turning a disposable coffee cup into a piece of art is a trend in sustainable and creative design.
3. Unexpected Art Canvases - Artists are turning to everyday objects, like coffee cups, as a way to create unique art and stand out in a crowded market.
Industry Implications
1. Coffee and Cafe Industry - Cafes can showcase local artists and designers by featuring illustrated coffee cups as part of their beverage offerings.
2. Art and Design Industry - Illustrated coffee cups demonstrate new possibilities for artists to monetize their work on unusual canvases.
3. Charity and Social Impact Industry - Partnering with artists and illustrators to create limited edition illustrated coffee cups could drive charitable donations and raise awareness for social causes.