A cup of coffee

• Main Author: Yong, Kai Ting
• Other Authors: Wang I-Hsuan Cindy
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Visual arts and music::Design
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/149683
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Enjoying coffee is a sensorial experience that has evolved since its humble beginnings. From the first-wave coffee to the third-wave, today’s coffee has become more complicated, innovative, and expressive. In a time where people value unique ways of expression and experiences, everyday experiences such as drinking coffee should transform. In my lifetime’s journey with coffee, coffee is more than just a drink. Coffee is a moment of enjoyment. Coffee is culture. Coffee is art. Coffee is science. Coffee is mathematics. While coffee is well-known for its artistic and experiential qualities, I find its scientific and mathematical qualities fascinating and sadly, often unnoticed. By exploring the possibilities of injecting simple mathematical concepts as a form of design aesthetics within a brand identity, this project aims to provide a new perspective – through the use of equations, formulas, and bar graphs/bar models to visualize information and create a visual language. It attempts to use mathematics as a visual metaphor and expression to influence how consumers comprehend information and to also provide a unique, alternative visual method for consumers to learn more about coffee as they enjoy it. This research paper focuses on the history, characteristics and variables of coffee and how infinite ways of making coffee can relate to mathematics, followed by the exploration of the concept ‘Coffee = Math’, and lastly, the design process leading to the final outcome – a coffee brand identity inspired by mathematics and quantification.