InfObjects is kitchenware that uses three-dimensional information visualizations to represent the impact of food on the environment. The pieces were created by Johannes Tsopanides for Shapes in Play, a German creative studio that explores the borders of product design where design meets technology, crafts or art.
Currently at a number of exhibitions, InfObjects uses the designs of plates, cups and bowls to raise awareness on how food is produced and consumed. Each is product is a visualization of emissions, energy, and price data in the ingredients of food dishes.
Visually on each product, a high content of energy causes the growth of small roots on the outer surface of the object. While, the CO2 equivalent of a dish is visualised by the appearance of `ozone holes,´ which indicate how much greenhouse gas has been produced during breeding and processing of a single edible. Finally, the price of the ingredient is represented by rising the edge of a segment in relation to the value.
Fact-Bearing Dishware Designs
Shapes In Play's infObjects 3D Offers an Info Visualization of
Trend Themes
1. Infovisualization Tableware - The creation of tableware that utilizes information visualization to showcase the environmental impacts of food creates a disruptive innovation opportunity in the kitchenware industry.
2. Eco-conscious Dining - The trend towards increasing eco-consciousness among consumers presents an opportunity for companies in the food and hospitality industry to offer products that support sustainable consumption.
3. Interactive Dining Experiences - The trend towards immersive and interactive dining experiences provides an opportunity for designers to create products that engage diners and allow them to learn about their food in a fun and informative way.
Industry Implications
1. Kitchenware - The creation of infObjects highlights an opportunity for designers in the kitchenware industry to incorporate information visualization and sustainability into their product designs.
2. Food and Hospitality - The rise of eco-consciousness among consumers creates opportunities for companies in the food and hospitality industry to offer more sustainable and environmentally-friendly products and services.
3. Art and Design - Shapes In Play, the German creative studio behind infObjects, showcases an opportunity for artists and designers to explore the boundaries of product design and create innovative, visually stunning products that combine design, technology, and sustainability.