The Dessert machine
The dessert machine is an aesthetic toy that creates a mouth-watering experience for the spectators. It facilitates a mechanical chain reaction that makes the icing of a cake and combines several nodes of play such as anticipation and surprise.
Outline
Master studies project
Course: Play and ludic interaction
Team of 5
Methodology
Research through Design
Award
Best Paper Presentation Award SIDeR 2017
Highlights of the process
Play and ludic interaction
Play and ludic interaction was the course of this project. In short experiments, we explored the area of play and game theory and then had the chance to realize a project of our own motivation. We were motivated by the aesthetics of dripping and explored food and game design.
Food and Play
Exploring the intersections of food and play at the beginning of the project by assigning game roles through spiced drinks, we were particularly interested in the modification of different food and that led us to a very material led process.
Material-led process
We experimented with transforming “delightful” foods such as melting chocolate, popping popcorn and caramelising marshmallows. These explorations led us to designing the Dessert Machine. Hand-made chocolates with various fillings dripping on the cake let the tension rise in the audience and have proven to be an important part of the contemplative pleasure.
Anticipation through the danger of failure.
The fast ride of the cake underneath the different toppings and the cherry on top make the machine have a dramaturgy which was appreciated by spectators.
