Hop creates adaptive cutlery for different disabilities

Australia – Hop Design’s new cutlery collection is designed to make everyone feel included at the dinner table. Called Font, this adaptive set caters for people with different disabilities, but doesn’t compromise on design.

The 24-piece collection can be tailored to people with various levels of hand strength, dexterity and control. Because each adaptability need is unique, the studio chose to 3D-print Font to make the set easily customisable and adaptable.

Tableware solutions for people with disabilities often focus on functionality and are lacking on the visual side, which can trigger a feeling of exclusion at meal times. Font’s rounded and cohesive look is designed to change that. ‘Everyone has a favourite spoon or cup that they use all the time. There is a lot of potential for leveraging aesthetics in inclusive design and design for people with disabilities,’ says Hop Design founder Michael Hoppe.

Divergent Design represents a largely untapped market opportunity and designers have a large role to play in acknowledging all accessibility needs while making assistive products appealing.