CLIENT BRIEF

Celebrating the Daily Joys of Life – “The Family Meals Ritual”

Background

In Türkiye, eating together is more than just having food on the table — it’s about love, connection, and showing care. Every weekend or on special days like Bayram, families visit their parents or grandparents to have breakfast or dinner together. The grandparents’ home becomes the heart of the family, full of the smell of tea, freshly baked bread, and laughter.

But for many older people, especially those who have hand tremors or Parkinson’s, these gatherings can be hard. They love hosting their families, but shaking hands often make them spill soup, drop tea, or struggle with small plates. Instead of enjoying the moment, they sometimes feel embarrassed or left out , even though everyone just wants to be together.

Target Users

Our users are grandparents aged around 60–80 with tremor, who still love preparing and sharing meals with their families. Some of them live alone or with a partner, and many deal with age-related tremors. Even if their hands don’t move as steadily as before, they still want to take part in cooking, serving, and enjoying those joyful mealtime rituals.

Objectives

To design something that helps grandparents feel confident and independent during family meals.

To let them join the table proudly  without worrying about spills or shaky hands.

To create a product that blends into their daily life naturally, not something that looks medical or different.

To celebrate togetherness making sure grandparents feel part of the team again.

Research Insights

Grandparents feel uncomfortable when someone else has to hold things for them they want to do it on their own.

Existing products that prevent spills usually look like medical aids, and they don’t fit into a cozy, traditional Turkish home.

Plastic plates or unbreakable cups make them feel like they’re treated differently, not equally.

Familiar materials, warm colors, and cultural details (tea glasses, shared trays, small dishes for olives and jam) make them feel comfortable and proud.

Design Opportunity

How might we create breakfast and dining tools that feel traditional and beautiful, yet quietly support hand tremors letting grandparents eat, serve, and enjoy family meals again without stress?
 The design should bring back that feeling of “I’m still the one who hosts my family.”

Deliverables

The designers are (expected to do the above mentioned…) invited to come up with a physical product or tableware set maybe a self-stabilizing cup, an anti-spill plate, or a tray with safe grips  that:

Helps with shaky hands and prevents spills,

Looks like something you’d proudly keep on your table,

Feels warm, comfortable, and familiar.

Constraints

It should be affordable (under ₺1000) because most elderly people live on a retirement income.

It must be safe, easy to clean, and simple to use.

The design shouldn’t feel like an aid or device just a beautiful, everyday object that quietly makes life easier.

Production

We don’t have a specific manufacturer yet, but the product should be durable and impact-resistant because it’s for daily use and small accidents are normal. It should handle frequent washing and small drops without breaking.

Representation & Circulation

The product should be shown in a warm, everyday setting like a sunny breakfast table or a cozy family dinner. It can be introduced through short videos, local fairs, or social media posts that show grandparents smiling, chatting, and enjoying the meal without worry.
 The tone should always feel real, human, and heartfelt  because that’s what family meals are about.

Families Eating Together Ritual

Turkish Cuisine