Grate

MOMENTS IN THE KITCHEN

Design Brief: based on nine weeks studying an archetype object across time and cultures, redesign this object to further improve it in some way

Solution: a hand held cheese grater that shifts the traditional focus of the object from utility to its relationship with the user

READING AN OBJECT

The top of the object is recognizable as a handle because of the size, shape, material, and convenience. The wide steady base, in addition to the direction of the cut outs, makes it clear in which orientation the object is supposed to be used. The similar yet varying sizes of holes suggest that this object serves a particular purpose that has been adapted to accommodate different needs. The stainless steel body suggests that this item needs to be sharp, durable, and easy to clean.

Dimensions

Length (at the top): 3.25 inches
Length (at the bottom): 4.25 inches
Deptth (at the top): 2.00 inches
Depth (at the bottom): 3.00 inches
Height of the box: 7.25 inches
Height of the handle: 2 inches

Materials

Stainless Steel
Plastic (Polypropylene or polyethylene?)
Silicone

Primary Function

Alternative Function

OBJECT TIMELINE

AFFORDANCE

The cheese grater is designed strictly around its function. The handle at the top provides ideal leverage for stabilizing the grater during use, while providing some comfort to the user by using a softer material. The angle of the sides also help stabilize the form as well as support an efficient and ergonomic position for the user’s downward grating motion. The handle is also the only inviting part for the user to touch, which clearly communicates its purpose.

The wide base gives the form stability as it is typically interacting with flat surfaces when it is being used. The enclosed space also serves as storage for the shavings during use.

In addition to the size of the holes, the size of the body of the grater directly relates to the size of related objects.

Cheese

Vegetables

Citrus Fruits

The influence that different types of cheeses had on the design is apparent in the variation in hole size and shape.

The medium sized holes are also commonly used to grate vegetables, while the shape, spacing and number of holes the largest holes specifically accommodate potatoes to create slices rather than shavings.

Tiniest holes are usually for zesting. Citrus peels are tough and contain a fair amount of bitter oil, so the consistency of the zest that is achieved by grating the fruits must be very fine, which is apparent in the hole size.

IN OTHER CULTURES

How is the task of grating food solved in other cultures? While I am focusing on the box cheese grater, the form of the grater takes on different primary functions across various cultures as a reflection of dietary norms.

Scandinavia

Europe

Asia

Ghana

Similar to American
Grate cheese & veggies

Small handheld tools
Each serve a distinct purpose
Simple, clean, utilitarian
For serving cheese as an appetizer opposed to grating large quantities for a dish

Graters designed for vegetables (not cheese)
Fresh ginger is a particularly important ingredient, and has it’s own ceramic grater

Cassava is a dietary staple
It's ground with an industrial-sized grater per town that is owned and rented out by a male authority figure. is photo shows a woman opperating her own mini cassava grater.

RUDIMENTARY VS REFINED

Rough around the edges
Durable and utilitarian
Not crafted with the ideal tools
Rounded edges of the handle
Large holes for grating a sizable portion of cheese quickly
Flexibility to grate cheese onto a cutting board/collection dish, or directly over their food
Difficult to clean

Designed for the optimal user experience
Form takes into account ergonomics
Chrome finish and gentle curves give a luxurious quality
Identical holes and uniform spacing suggest a machine made
Plastic handle and loop show the user how to first interact with the product
Dishwasher safe
Bowl to catch cheese
Spout to pour the cheese directly from the bowl
Option to grate through the top alone directly onto food
Small grating surface area

GRATE

MOMENTS IN THE KITCHEN

Design Brief: based on nine weeks studying an archetype object across time and cultures, redesign this object to further improve it in some way

Solution: a hand held cheese grater that shifts the traditional focus of the object from utility to its relationship with the user

READING AN OBJECT

Dimensions

Length (at the top): 3.25 inches

Length (at the bottom): 4.25 inches

Deptth (at the top): 2.00 inches

Depth (at the bottom): 3.00 inches

Height of the box: 7.25 inches

Height of the handle: 2 inches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Plastic (Polypropylene or polyethylene?)

Silicone

Primary Function​

​​

Alternative Function​

​​

OBJECT TIMELINE

AFFORDANCE

The wide base gives the form stability as it is typically interacting with flat surfaces when it is being used. The enclosed space also serves as storage for the shavings during use.

In addition to the size of the holes, the size of the body of the grater directly relates to the size of related objects.

Cheese

Vegetables

Citrus Fruits

The influence that different types of cheeses had on the design is apparent in the variation in hole size and shape.

The medium sized holes are also commonly used to grate vegetables, while the shape, spacing and number of holes the largest holes specifically accommodate potatoes to create slices rather than shavings.

Tiniest holes are usually for zesting. Citrus peels are tough and contain a fair amount of bitter oil, so the consistency of the zest that is achieved by grating the fruits must be very fine, which is apparent in the hole size.

IN OTHER CULTURES

How is the task of grating food solved in other cultures? While I am focusing on the box cheese grater, the form of the grater takes on different primary functions across various cultures as a reflection of dietary norms.

Scandinavia

Europe

Asia

Ghana

Similar to American

Grate cheese & veggies

Small handheld tools

Each serve a distinct purpose

Simple, clean, utilitarian

For serving cheese as an appetizer opposed to grating large quantities for a dish

Graters designed for vegetables (not cheese)

Fresh ginger is a particularly important ingredient, and has it’s own ceramic grater

Cassava is a dietary staple

It's ground with an industrial-sized grater per town that is owned and rented out by a male authority figure. is photo shows a woman opperating her own mini cassava grater.

RUDIMENTARY VS REFINED

Rough around the edges

Durable and utilitarian

Not crafted with the ideal tools

Rounded edges of the handle

Large holes for grating a sizable portion of cheese quickly

Flexibility to grate cheese onto a cutting board/collection dish, or directly over their food

Difficult to clean

Designed for the optimal user experience

Form takes into account ergonomics

Chrome finish and gentle curves give a luxurious quality

Identical holes and uniform spacing suggest a machine made

Plastic handle and loop show the user how to first interact with the product

Dishwasher safe

Bowl to catch cheese

Spout to pour the cheese directly from the bowl

Option to grate through the top alone directly onto food

Small grating surface area

MODEL MAKING

FINAL PROTOTYPE

Primary Function

Alternative Function