SOMETIMES LESS MEANS MORE
The purpose of this blog post is to present the design process behind the creation of a concept cup for blind users, with a focus on simplification, safety, and human independence. It is intended for designers, design students, and anyone interested in human-centered and inclusive design, as well as professionals and institutions working with people with disabilities. Rather than offering a technical description of the product, this post tells the story of why the design exists and how thoughtful, responsible design can create equality and trust in everyday life.
Why, if…?
Why, if I cannot see, should I not have the same life as everyone else?
Why should I always be the one who is different?
Why should something as ordinary as making a cup of coffee or tea become a reason to depend on someone else, just to avoid getting hurt?
I have the right to make my own coffee, to prepare my own tea — without fear, without risk, and without having to ask for help.
Smart Cup for Blind Users
This design began with those very questions — not from the desire to create yet another product, but from the need to create equality in everyday life for blind users. A cup that does not require help, does not require explanation, and enables simple, human independence.
The idea for this cup emerged from a concrete and everyday problem: how a blind person can independently prepare Turkish coffee without getting hurt. The goal was to allow the liquid to safely boil directly in the cup and to be consumed immediately from the same vessel, without the need to pour it into another container. In this way, one of the riskiest moments in preparing a hot beverage is eliminated, enabling greater safety and independence in daily life.
This design is not intended as a replacement for human assistance, but as a tool that allows the user to decide for themselves when and how to prepare their drink. Small daily rituals, such as morning coffee or tea, should not be a source of fear or limitation. On the contrary, they should remain moments of calm, routine, and personal freedom.
That is why the focus of this concept was directed toward creating a solution that works quietly and reliably, without requiring extra attention or complex steps. A cup that understands the need for safety, while at the same time respecting the desire for independence and dignity.
The First Problem
The first concept was based on the idea that technology could compensate for what was missing. The cup was envisioned as a system that communicates with the user through external signals and notifications, enabling remote control at the moment the liquid reaches boiling point. At first glance, the solution appeared advanced and functional.
However, with deeper reflection, it became clear that this approach introduced new risks. Dependence on multiple technological elements meant that any interruption, delay, or miscommunication in the signal could lead to an unsafe situation. Instead of a sense of security, the system required constant attention and rapid reaction at precisely the right moment.
In trying to solve one problem, another was created. The design began to feel overly complex for something that should, at its core, be simple and safe. That is where the key question emerged — does the user really need more technology, or do they need greater trust in the product itself?
As the process evolved, I realized that the problem was not the idea itself, but the way I was trying to solve it. The first concept offered control, but that control required constant attention, timely reaction, and dependence on external factors. Instead of a sense of security, it created new pressure — the fear of whether the system would respond at exactly the right moment.
For a product designed for blind users, such risk must not exist. That is why I began to simplify the process, step by step. I removed external devices, remote control, and all additional elements that required coordination and constant user reaction.
Instead, the function was transferred directly into the cup. It was redesigned to independently recognize the state of the liquid and to automatically switch off when it reaches the boiling point. By eliminating complex technology, the cup gained the ability to operate autonomously, without the need for external signals or interventions.
The ultimate goal of this design was to eliminate the need to pour liquid from one container to another and to allow the drink to be consumed directly and safely from the same cup. In doing so, the risk of burns and skin injuries is significantly reduced — especially for blind users, for whom such situations can be particularly dangerous.
The cup is envisioned to be made from a material that does not heat up on the outside, allowing safe handling regardless of the liquid’s temperature. For additional independence, clear on/off markings in Braille are incorporated, including the option for manual shut-off when needed. Internally, the cup is designed with mechanisms that prevent overflow, while its base is shaped to guide and stabilize it precisely in place, minimizing the risk of spillage.
With this approach, the user no longer has to be part of the system — the system works for them. Simplification here did not mean reduced functionality, but greater safety, clarity, and trust in the product itself.
With this design, I did not aim to create a product that stands out through form or technology, but rather a solution that quietly becomes part of everyday life. The goal was simple — to restore the feeling of independence in small yet meaningful moments, such as preparing a cup of coffee or tea.
This process showed me that sometimes the best solution is not in adding more, but in taking away — leaving only what is truly necessary for safety and independence in everyday moments.
Follow my design journey on Instagram: @nedeljkovskii
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