Summitware
Eating slower, by design.
Summitware is a glass bowl with a mountain-like sculptural pattern inside that encourages mindful eating through resistance and tactile engagement. It went through three physical iterations — from sketch models to 3D-printed prototypes — each refined to balance the mindfulness effect with real usability.
Overview
Most people eat too fast because nothing in their environment asks them to slow down
Summitware introduces a mountain-like sculptural pattern inside the bowl that adds gentle resistance when scooping. The pattern prompts the diner to navigate around it, slowing their pace and drawing attention back to eating — without any instruction.
Process
Eleven directions, three versions, one calibration problem
Early ideation spanned bent utensils, obstacle-filled bowls, and timed covers. Sketch models in clay and paper narrowed the direction — working physically revealed how surfaces felt in hand in ways drawing couldn’t. Twelve form silhouettes were explored before landing on a wide, shallow bowl with a clean exterior that puts all visual interest inside.
Early concept sketches explored ways to slow eating through portioning, friction, timed access, and visual perception.
Material studies and quick physical models tested texture, grip, bowl proportion, and how different interior obstacles changed the eating experience.
Exploration
Three prototypes followed. Version 1 spread the pattern across the entire bottom — too restrictive, and the solid base made it un-stackable. Version 2 moved the pattern to the center and hollowed the mountains, improving balance, but sharp edges created more friction than intended. Version 3 softened the curves: scooping became intuitive without losing the challenge that makes the bowl work.
Pattern across the entire bottom — too restrictive, and the solid base made it un-stackable.
Pattern centered and mountains hollowed — better balance, but sharp edges created more friction than intended.
Softened curves: scooping became intuitive without losing the challenge that makes the bowl work.
User Testing
The bowl changed how people held it — and they didn’t notice until we asked
Users appreciated that the pattern stayed centered — it slowed them down without feeling intrusive. The resistance naturally prompted two-handed holding, creating a more deliberate eating posture. It also limited portion size per scoop without any visible instruction.
“I like that the pattern is in the middle—it slows me down just enough without being too annoying.”
Users value that the pattern is only in the middle, as it slows them down without being intrusive.
“Because the bowl resists when I scoop, I naturally hold it with my other hand, which keeps me more present.”
The resistance from the pattern prompts users to hold the bowl with their other hand, creating a more deliberate posture.
“You can’t scoop too much food at once because of the pattern, which makes me eat more slowly.”
The pattern subtly limits overeating by making it harder to scoop large amounts of food at once.
Rendering
Let's work together.
Currently seeking full-time product design roles for 2026.