Virtual Booth

In today’s fast-paced culinary environments—whether in home kitchens or professional settings—efficiency, cleanliness, and user-friendly design are essential. However, a common yet often overlooked frustration is the design of traditional cooking oil and sauce bottles. These bottles, though used daily, frequently become sticky and unsanitary due to spills, drips, and residue buildup around the nozzle. Over time, this accumulation not only results in a messy kitchen environment but also makes the bottle unpleasant to handle. Users—already juggling the complexities of meal preparation—find themselves wiping down bottles after each use, which adds extra effort and disrupts workflow. Moreover, most commercially available bottles lack ergonomic features. Without a proper grip, handling becomes increasingly difficult—especially with greasy or wet hands—raising the risk of accidental drops that may lead to ingredient waste, stained surfaces, and even hazardous, slippery floors. These issues compromise kitchen hygiene and safety, diminishing the overall cooking experience. The need for a practical, user-centered solution became apparent through firsthand observation. By carefully observing daily kitchen activities over a period of approximately three weeks, mainly in the kitchen, we were able to consistently identify the frequent inconveniences caused by existing cooking oil and sauce bottle designs. The method used to uncover this issue followed an ethnographic-style approach, involving direct and systematic observation of conditions and user behavior in a real kitchen environment. This hands-on observation allowed us to witness, in real-time, how spills, drips, and difficulty handling bottles disrupted the cooking process and created a mess. Rather than relying on theoretical assumptions or secondhand reports, this empirical approach provided a grounded understanding of the actual challenges users face, reinforcing the need for a practical and innovative solution. Our primary clients, consisting of three individuals aged between 19 to 49 years old, include both experienced home cooks and a younger user who is just beginning her culinary journey. We conducted interviews with all three of them and observed their daily kitchen routines, which provided valuable insights into the challenges faced across a diverse range of age and cooking experience. Their shared frustrations—such as messy nozzles, slippery bottles, and lack of user-friendly features—clearly reinforced the need for an improved bottle design that prioritizes both comfort and practicality. After identifying the problem, we embarked on the design phase using Sharper3D, a user-friendly 3D modeling application that enabled us to visualize, test, and iterate our concept in a digital environment. This method allowed us to simulate real-world usage, fine-tune proportions, and assess grip ergonomics, flow mechanics, and nozzle functionality before physical prototyping. Over a focused three-week period, we spent time learning how to use the Sharper3D application, which was initially very challenging for us due to its complex interface and functions. During the time, we also conducted research on existing bottle designs, studied user preferences, and explored various features that could help solve the problems identified. This learning and research process allowed us to gradually develop and shape the prototype into a practical and user-friendly solution. The result of this effort is our innovative prototype: Grip N’ Drip. The name reflects its two main features—“Grip”, for its non-slip silicone body that ensures a secure hold, and “Drip”, for its controlled and clean dispensing system. This bottle comes with three interchangeable nozzles that allow users to mist, drizzle, or stream liquids like oil, vinegar, or dressings based on their cooking needs. It is easy to use, helps reduce mess and waste, and is designed to be cleaned quickly after use. Overall, Grip N’ Drip offers a practical and efficient solution for everyday kitchen tasks. In conclusion, our team hopes that Grip N’ Drip will redefine the daily kitchen experience by solving a real and relatable problem with a simple yet effective innovation. We aspire to provide home cooks and professionals alike with a tool that promotes cleanliness, reduces waste, and enhances safety and efficiency in cooking routines. By focusing on a user-centered approach and integrating practical design with functionality, we believe the Grip N’ Drip can become an essential kitchen staple that simplifies cooking, one drip at a time.