Michael Young creates a water bottle you can interact with

British industrial designer Michael Young has created the first product of a new and scalable collection called Haarvest. Launched at Design Burger's inaugural exhibition titled Design Dialogues at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2022, the reusable drinks bottle aims at encouraging users to refill the bottle by simplifying the process. With ergonomics, changing needs and environmental consciousness at the heart of the process, the designer evolves a profile that guides one to use it accurately. “In 2010, we designed the world's first cornstarch earbuds but commercial-scale recycling was still in its infancy and sourcing product supply chain was prohibitive,” says Michael Young. “Now a very broad set of upcycled plastics are available to us,” he adds.

This studio project and those to follow in the collection are committed to innovations that build a circular economy combined with re-examining user interactions and exploring further sustainable approaches to facilitate the harvesting of waste for future use. Paying heed to the inefficiency displayed by existing water bottles when filled using water machines, Young lucidly conceptualised a design that could tackle the prevalent issues and bring about an enhancement. “I came through observations on changing needs and looking at how useful things are - traditional stereotypes often remain the way they are because their usefulness is never questioned when in fact the world around them has changed or the consumer has,” shares Young.

The bottle is topped with an easy-grip cap, which is uniquely off-centred and aims to aid filling and drinking. Furthermore, the vertical slots running on each side of the body strengthen the grip of the bottle as well. 

Fostering user interaction, the ergonomics of the bottle are easy to understand, with the grooves manoeuvring the user's hand and the angled lid adding to the convenience of the design. Taking into consideration the usefulness, lifespan, materials and contributions, Michael Young works alongside the evolution of the subject, throwing in what can be infused whenever necessary, while staying conscious and judicious throughout the journey of design.

Michael Young's water bottle design was on display on 8th June 2022, at Candy Snake Gallery, Via Luigi Porro Lambertenghi 6 - 20159 Milano.