Hello, everyone!

I’m excited to share my entry for the Coffee Mug Contest. It allowed me to explore different design tools and techniques, incorporating traditional Ethiopian elements like coffee plant branches and cultural symbols to honor the roots of coffee.

I started with the overall shape and used xShape for the coffee cherries and handle, experimenting with freeform design for the first time. I used the Wrap feature in SOLIDWORKS Desktop to add leaves and pattern cutouts to the body, giving it a detailed and textured look.

Since the raised details might be tricky for 3D printing, I prepared a split-section design to ensure all elements print smoothly and can be assembled easily afterward. I also checked the print feasibility in xShape with a 0.4 mm layer size to make sure every detail, especially around the handle and cherries, would turn out well.

This contest was a great opportunity to try new things and have some fun with the design process.