About the Project
In November 2019, a partner and I were given an assignment in our Introduction to Product Design class. Our job was to design a product that we could sell for $7 or less while still making a profit, and then sell as many as we can. We created the Mug Shot Shot Glass, the mug-shaped shot glass with your photo on it.
Product Development
We started by figuring out the form and material of the shot glass. We found that the cylindrical design that we went with was mug-like, durable, and easy to produce quickly. We cast the cups in food-safe silicone, then drilled holes in one side to insert the laser-cut acrylic handle. We found that the most efficient way to add the paper-printed photos was to first use superglue, then coat the mug and photo in ceramic glaze spray. The final product ended up being durable, adorable, and affordable to make.
Branding
Because this product is such a novelty item, the best way to get the most sales was through branding and marketing. We realized that Instagram was a free way to promote our product, so we made an account and posted a photo every day. We used our friends as models in front of a yellowish backdrop that happened to be at our disposal. This yellow color inspired the design of our logo.
