Stanley Implosion
Stanley Implosion
Overview: Inspired by Haraway’s prompt to trace the invisible networks behind mundane things, I created a static systems diagram and an interactive prototype that surface the climate, material, and cultural weight of a supposedly “sustainable” object. This case study reflects my belief that design isn’t neutral—and that it can be used to both reveal and reshape the way we see.
Overview: Inspired by Haraway’s prompt to trace the invisible networks behind mundane things, I created a static systems diagram and an interactive prototype that surface the climate, material, and cultural weight of a supposedly “sustainable” object. This case study reflects my belief that design isn’t neutral—and that it can be used to both reveal and reshape the way we see.
How can Design help us see What has been Hidden?
I use Donna Haraway’s Implosion Method to unpack the viral Stanley Tumbler as a cultural object. My goal wasn’t to critique a cup—but to explore how everyday products are embedded in global systems of material extraction, branding, and desire.
I use Donna Haraway’s Implosion Method to unpack the viral Stanley Tumbler as a cultural object. My goal wasn’t to critique a cup—but to explore how everyday products are embedded in global systems of material extraction, branding, and desire.
Roles: Design Researcher & Interaction Designer
Type: Design Research, Interaction Design
Timeline: January - May 2025
Tools: Figma, Procreate, Google Suite, Stanley 1913 website, Various Sources
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
This project was inspired by Donna Haraway’s famous “implosion” assignment at UC Santa Cruz, and the work of Joseph Dumit at UC Davis.
This project was inspired by Donna Haraway’s famous “implosion” assignment at UC Santa Cruz, and the work of Joseph Dumit at UC Davis.
In her class, Haraway asked students to “wake up” to the world around them by unpacking the systems embedded in everyday objects.
In her class, Haraway asked students to “wake up” to the world around them by unpacking the systems embedded in everyday objects.
She writes: “I would ask people to pick an object... the T-shirt that the person sitting next to them was wearing, what was printed on it, the label, the very fact of labeling, the fibre composition... If it’s got polyester, then take me through the history of Purity Hall and research labs at Du Pont... If it’s cotton, then back me into pesticides and the California water projects…”
She writes: “I would ask people to pick an object... the T-shirt that the person sitting next to them was wearing, what was printed on it, the label, the very fact of labeling, the fibre composition... If it’s got polyester, then take me through the history of Purity Hall and research labs at Du Pont... If it’s cotton, then back me into pesticides and the California water projects…”
That prompt stuck with me—because UX often shapes user perception, making complex, resource-heavy systems feel simple, seamless, or even sustainable.
That prompt stuck with me—because UX often shapes user perception, making complex, resource-heavy systems feel simple, seamless, or even sustainable.
Not just a Tumbler, but a System
Not just a Tumbler, but a System
Not just a Tumbler, but a System
Why Stanley?
Why Stanley?
Why Stanley?
Viral, reusable, and aesthetic—the Stanley Tumbler became the poster child for sustainable consumption and lifestyle branding.
Viral, reusable, and aesthetic—the Stanley Tumbler became the poster child for sustainable consumption and lifestyle branding.
What lies Beneath?
What lies Beneath?
What lies Beneath?
I asked: What systems made it possible? What came before its “green” glow-up?
I asked: What systems made it possible? What came before its “green” glow-up?
Ex. How Silicone is made and the effects:
Ex. How Silicone is made and the effects:
What I Uncovered
What I Uncovered
What I Uncovered
Through Implosion, I I traced the labor, materials, and contradictions behind the cup—and the culture that made it iconic.
Through Implosion, I I traced the labor, materials, and contradictions behind the cup—and the culture that made it iconic.
Key Findings
Key Findings
1. It's not all Sunshine and Rainbows as they Market
1. It's not all Sunshine and Rainbows as they Market
1. It's not all Sunshine and Rainbows as they Market
Stanley’s eco-friendly image starts to unravel when you trace its materials. For example, Stainless steel production involves energy-intensive mining, CO₂ emissions. None of this is visible when you're scrolling past a pastel pink tumbler on Instagram.
Stanley’s eco-friendly image starts to unravel when you trace its materials. For example, Stainless steel production involves energy-intensive mining, CO₂ emissions. None of this is visible when you're scrolling past a pastel pink tumbler on Instagram.
2. Social Media fuels Overconsumption
2. Social Media fuels Overconsumption
2. Social Media fuels Overconsumption
Even though the cup is reusable, its viral fame has turned it into a collector’s item. Many users buy multiple versions across seasonal drops—proving that “eco-friendly” can quickly become aesthetic-driven consumerism.
Even though the cup is reusable, its viral fame has turned it into a collector’s item. Many users buy multiple versions across seasonal drops—proving that “eco-friendly” can quickly become aesthetic-driven consumerism.
3. Design can either Conceal—or Reveal
3. Design can either Conceal—or Reveal
3. Design can either Conceal—or Reveal
Even though the cup is reusable, its viral fame has turned it into a collector’s item. Many users buy multiple versions across seasonal drops—proving that “eco-friendly” can quickly become aesthetic-driven consumerism.
Even though the cup is reusable, its viral fame has turned it into a collector’s item. Many users buy multiple versions across seasonal drops—proving that “eco-friendly” can quickly become aesthetic-driven consumerism.
4. Interactivity brings a whole new Perspective
4. Interactivity brings a whole new Perspective
4. Interactivity brings a whole new Perspective
By starting with a familiar interface and subtly shifting the content, it invites users to pause and ask: Has Stanley always been this transparent? The goal isn’t just to inform, but to disorient—just enough to provoke reflection on a brand they thought they knew.
Part 1: The Archive
Part 1: The Archive
Part 1: The Archive
Research Questions Asked
Research Questions Asked
What is the Implosion Method?
What parts make up a Stanley?
What is the process of making Stainless Steel, Silicon, or Powder Coating?
What is the history of Stanley 1913?
How has Stanley shown up in Media?
What is the Implosion Method?
What parts make up a Stanley?
What is the process of making Stainless Steel, Silicon, or Powder Coating?
What is the history of Stanley 1913?
How has Stanley shown up in Media?
Some information especially around the product was pretty difficult to find. That silence was telling. I filled and connected the dots together on best estimates and general research of how things are made and the processes. That ambiguity became part of the implosion itself: showing what’s deliberately hidden.
Some information especially around the product was pretty difficult to find. That silence was telling. I filled and connected the dots together on best estimates and general research of how things are made and the processes. That ambiguity became part of the implosion itself: showing what’s deliberately hidden.
Part 2: Static Diagram
Part 2: Static Diagram
Part 2: Static Diagram
Tracing Carbon Footprint
Tracing Carbon Footprint
This snippet visualizes the stainless steel supply chain, highlighting how each step contributes to the product’s carbon footprint.
This snippet visualizes the stainless steel supply chain, highlighting how each step contributes to the product’s carbon footprint.
Digital Media Persona
Digital Media Persona
This poster snippet showcases some digital media coverage of the Stanley Quencher, revealing how it has captured public attention and sparked conversation.
This poster snippet showcases some digital media coverage of the Stanley Quencher, revealing how it has captured public attention and sparked conversation.
Timeline of History
Timeline of History
The timeline provides background on Stanley's origins and traces the company’s evolution, highlighting key milestones and the challenges it has faced over time.
The timeline provides background on Stanley's origins and traces the company’s evolution, highlighting key milestones and the challenges it has faced over time.
Part 3: Interactive Digital Archive
Part 3: Interactive Digital Archive
Part 3: Interactive Digital Archive
Peel Back the Familiar to See What’s Hidden
This Archive transforms the implosion research into an interactive experience, using a familiar interface modeled after Stanley’s own website. It invites users to explore layers of hidden information about the product—challenging them to reconsider what transparency really looks like.
This Archive transforms the implosion research into an interactive experience, using a familiar interface modeled after Stanley’s own website. It invites users to explore layers of hidden information about the product—challenging them to reconsider what transparency really looks like.
The Actions of Influencing
Digital platforms play a key role in the rapid rise and continual re-popularization—of the Stanley Quencher. This media archive exposes how consumption is fueled by repetition, aesthetic curation, and algorithmic promotion.
Digital platforms play a key role in the rapid rise and continual re-popularization—of the Stanley Quencher. This media archive exposes how consumption is fueled by repetition, aesthetic curation, and algorithmic promotion.
Over a Century in the Making
Over a Century in the Making
This timeline traces Stanley’s history from its founding in 1913 through decades of ups and downs, eventually leading to the viral success of the Quencher. It highlights key shifts in branding, audience, and product design.
This timeline traces Stanley’s history from its founding in 1913 through decades of ups and downs, eventually leading to the viral success of the Quencher. It highlights key shifts in branding, audience, and product design.
To Reflect
This allowed me to see how Design can reveal what we overlook. Through print and interaction, this project exposed the complex systems behind the Stanley tumbler—and challenged us to rethink how we consume, trust, and understand everyday things.