Pleteng: dual-part portable tea tumbler

Malaysia’s tea-drinking culture continues to thrive, reflecting both tradition and modern lifestyle habits. However, many tea-related products available in the market lack a strong cultural identity, often relying on generic designs that fail to represent the richness of local heritage. Previous studies highlight that cultural products are frequently designed with a primary focus on aesthetics, with limited attention to functionality, modularity, and user convenience. This issue underscores the importance of creating products that not only embody cultural values but also adapt to the practical needs of contemporary consumers. This project proposes the design of a dual-part portable tea tumbler that features two detachable compartments, enabling users to store both hot and cold beverages in a single, compact product. The tumbler integrates Tenun Pahang motifs, a traditional Malaysian weaving art, as a design element to reinforce local cultural identity and uniqueness. By combining traditional aesthetics with modern usability, the tumbler aims to offer both functional versatility and cultural storytelling in daily tea-drinking practices. The design aligns with Kraftangan Malaysia’s mission to preserve and innovate traditional crafts, ensuring that local artistry remains relevant in the modern market. Through thoughtful integration of heritage motifs and contemporary design approaches, this product enhances user experience by addressing portability, heat safety, and long-term durability. This project demonstrates that traditional crafts can be effectively adapted to modern products, strengthening cultural appreciation while appealing to a wide range of urban consumers and lifestylefocused markets.