TOKI
In 2024, I participated in the Student Design Competition hosted by Collab Journal at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The challenge was to create a tabletop piece inspired by the design philosophy of Naoto Fukasawa—highlighting minimalism, functionality, and a sense of humanism and delight. Guided by Fukasawa's principles, I designed Toki, a cake cloche that seamlessly integrates elegance with innovation. Toki not only protects cakes but introduces a unique slicing function, elevating the experience of serving desserts into something effortless and joyful.
Toki redefines the traditional cake dome by incorporating a slicing feature. Silicone-coated wires (safe, washable, and easy to handle) are placed along the dome's edge and secured into pre-designed slots, enabling them to serve as adjustable slicers. Depending on the desired number of slices, these wires can be repositioned, providing precise and customizable cuts. After slicing, the wires can be easily removed, leaving the dome ready for use as a minimalist, protective cover. With its dual-purpose functionality and simple, user-friendly design, Toki reflects Japanese-inspired simplicity and innovation in every detail.
