Rationale – The Bottle Stopper

There are hundreds of different types of bottle stoppers on the market. I wanted to create a bottle stopper which was not like the rest; one which gave the user a sense of upper class without the snobby judgment which comes with those sorts of things. I looked at a variety of different shapes, styles and colors before I realized that there really wasn’t a bottle stopper which was pleasurable.

I decided to create the most pleasurable bottle stopper. It needed to fit in the users hand with ease. It needed to feel like an extension of the user and to create a sense of wellbeing and freedom. The most important part of the whole product had to be section where the user would remove the stopper from the wine. Even though a lot of stoppers decide to go for a simple design, sometimes having a small bulb where the user can pull the stopper out. I chose for a two handle system as it gave the most comfortable application and removal of the stopper, therefore creating pleasure.

I chose a free forming shape which allowed the user to clutch the bottle stopper and feel as though it belonged in their hand. The use of curves in this way is designed to create a shape which is pleasing to the eye for both the user and for the people in the general area. This was through many designs and trial and error. I think the finished product creates a pleasurable experience for the user as it fits the contours of the hand and allows for a very presentable and visually appealing preservation of wine. The choice to make the handles brushed aluminum was simply because it works well. It generally goes with most décor and visually it is clean to look at.

My choice to add a portion of grip onto each handle was because it gave the sense of stability and strength. It makes the handle feel like it won’t slip, and when it comes to wine that is a very important factor. I wanted the user to feel as though they could place my bottle stopper into a fine bottle of aged wine and that it would be preserved and stored in the exact same way that it would if it hadn’t been opened at all. It also complemented the silver finish of the handles and top part of the stopper well.

With all the bottle stoppers I found and have personally used, the best are always a solid piece of rubber for the stopper itself. It allows for the most air tight seal and is the most efficient to make and cost effective. I found designs which used thin strips of rubber around a solid steel stopper weren’t as effective and didn’t always fit all sized bottles. With this design it will fit every bottle, every time and sub consciously the user has no doubt that this bottle stopper will always fit. Therefore when push comes to shove, even though the user might have a several bottle stopper which could be a variety of different styles and shapes behind their bar, they will always go for mine as it offer the most pleasurable experience and never disappoints.