Calphalon

A knife and blade-cover system designed for Calphalon's student design competition at the Wentworth Institute of Technology — awarded first place. The project explored ergonomics, material selection and the visual language of premium cookware.

CategoryAcademic
InstitutionWentworth Institute of Technology
TypeDesign Competition
Year2011
Calphalon
Context

First place in Calphalon's student competition — a knife with a magnetic blade cover and a finger guide that keeps fingertips away from the blade while cutting.

  • Brief

    Design competition calling for a kitchen product that embodies Calphalon's identity — precision-made, premium in feel and considered in every design decision from grip to finish.

  • Ergonomics

    Studied grip, balance and proper cutting form to develop a handle that feels safe and natural in use.

  • Material language

    Researched materials appropriate to premium cookware — exploring surface treatments, flexibility properties and tactile quality to inform every component of the design.

  • Visual resolution

    Developed a form language aligned with Calphalon's premium identity — precise, considered and fully resolved from handle profile to blade cover.

Final design concepts
Final design concepts
User research — comparative ratings of Katana and Contemporary Series 8" knives
User research — comparative ratings of Katana and Contemporary Series 8" knives
Ideation sketches — knife form development
Ideation sketches — knife form development
Concept overview — knife, blade cover and finger guide components
Concept overview — knife, blade cover and finger guide components
Research insight — low feelings of safety and control in existing products
Research insight — low feelings of safety and control in existing products
Blade cover mechanism — magnetic snap attachment and removal sequence
Blade cover mechanism — magnetic snap attachment and removal sequence
Safety insight — proper cutting form and finger clearance from the blade
Safety insight — proper cutting form and finger clearance from the blade
Safety concept — four-finger guide keeping fingertips safely away from the cutting edge
Safety concept — four-finger guide keeping fingertips safely away from the cutting edge