• When most people design mugs, they begin with the vessel, and the handle is an afterthought.
• Flip this process around: First, design the handle for a mug. Then design a vessel that relates to the handle.

• Start by sketching designs for handles.
• Make prototypes of your three favorite designs. Ask a classmate to hold each one. Discuss what they like about it and why.
• Pick your most successful handle and design a mug to go with it.
• Remember to think about the relationship between form and function. How can you emphasize it?
• Your mug might be silly or serious, kitschy or classic. But no matter what, draw attention to the handle!

Hold each of the mugs in your kitchen. Which one is the most awkward to hold? Sketch a design to improve it.

Before you begin, check out these examples by Eric Rempe’s students at Princeton Day School in Princeton, New Jersey!