June 26th, 2024

Why don't Chinese tea cups have handles?

Design lessons from Chinese tea cups highlight simplicity and functionality. Removing handles prompts users to gauge temperature before drinking. Good design prioritizes core functionality over unnecessary features, emphasizing clarity and efficiency.

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Why don't Chinese tea cups have handles?

The article discusses design lessons derived from Chinese tea cups. These cups, lacking handles, serve a functional purpose: if too hot to hold, they are likely too hot to drink safely. Despite this simplicity, humans tend to complicate matters by adding cardboard sleeves, warnings, or handles, which do not cool the tea. The essence of good design lies in simplification to address the core issue effectively. By eliminating unnecessary elements, designers can create solutions that are both straightforward and functional. The message emphasizes that good design does not rely on additional features or warnings but on clarity and efficiency. The takeaway encourages appreciating the elegance of simplicity in design, exemplified by the handle-free Chinese tea cups.

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By @c22 - 5 months
Sometimes you need to move a cup for non-drinking purposes.