• Archives of design research
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• v.19 no.1 s.63
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• pp.293-302
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• 2006

clay cups with handles made in studios in Korea and the United States were selected and analyzed. The shape of cup were fixed to ensure proper comparison between handle size of the cup and position. The variable factors were the thickness of the handle, the number of fingers required to hold the cup, the relationship between the handle's shape and the position of its attachment to the cup, the effect of the handle's setter, the change in shape of the handle's thickness, and the relationship between the cup's weight center and handle. Preference test were designed and tested to the users, and the results were analyzed. The results showed that to make a comfortable handle, it is important to incorporate the shape of the resting hand in the design of the handle. Specifically, the design should be such that the cup can be held comfortably. This is possible if the weight of the cup is spread evenly when several fingers are inside the handle's curve and if such factors as the hand size, the curve of the fingers, and the position that best controls the cup's weight center are carefully considered. At this time, if there is a setter for the thumb, a cup of the same weight can be lifted more lightly. In the design of such a cup, the oval line is drawn by extending the cup's handle toward the direction of the cup's body. If the cup's weight center is located on the oval line, the cup's handle may be said to be effective. In such a case, the nearer the handle is to the cup's body weight center, the less power is needed to lift the cup efficiently. Our test results can be applied as a powerful tools in design and manufacturing cups with handle in terms of artistry and functionality.