Summer 2026 | Skill Development
Aesthetic Development, Branding, Wood Working, Glass Molding, Design Theory and Method Development.
A Cocktail Smoker Set designed to reach new consumers, encouraging younger audiences to approach cocktail making as new luxury hobby, while maintaining the traditional class and experience of current market.
Vela Cocktail Smoker
How might we make cocktail culture more approachable and engaging for a younger generation of consumers without sacrificing the craftsmanship and sophistication valued by traditional enthusiasts? Can we transform cocktail preparation from a task into an experience worth sharing? - blending the making experience with the enjoyment of the beverage itself, creating memories and conversation that linger long after the final sip.
Vela | “Candlelight” in Latin
Candlelight transforms ordinary gatherings into memorable experiences. It softens spaces, it encourages conversation, & creates intimacy. Vela takes inspiration from this tradition, using light, smoke, & traditional craft to elevate your cocktail ritual.
The Competitive Market
Products within the cocktail smoking category follow a similar theme - masculine, rugged, traditional, and utilitarian. Wide range of luxury standard & pricing, some even feeling tacky.
Corkcicle $50
BarStash $89.99
William- Sonoma $299.95
Barnes & Noble $24.99
Tsuki Smoker $124.90
Vela’s Mission
Vela creates a thoughtful and crafted experiences for your cocktail parties. An experience of warmth, atmosphere, and connection to one another. Through ambient lighting, smokey flavor, and a curated ritual, Vela transforms a simple drink into a slowed down and relaxing experience.
Let’s redefine cocktail culture, inviting all generations to share in the cocktail smoking hobby, blending modern “Organic Futurism” trends with timeless craft and tradition.
The Logo
An interlock of the “V” tying to the lingering smoke.
Colors & Diamond Motif
bright, inviting, stands out from others on the market while still being traditional. Classic Diamond.
Consumer Target
Emerging Hobbyists and Enthusiasts. Age 25-35, interested in experiences over material possessions, connections and quality relationships, and living life with excitement. They value their interior design and look for objects that feel uniquely theirs. They want a product that makes them feel like the expert.
Primary User
The established cocktail enthusiasts, age 40-65, who look for tradition in their products, they enjoy entertaining company, value quality material, and conversation. They find appreciation for products that remain rooted in craft while appearing beautiful and modern in their home.
Secondary User
Ideation & Testing
Curvature
Refining internals for magnetic snap and casing for an illuminated light at the base of the glass.
Illuminated Base
Moving away from overly bulbous forms, leaning in to “natural” feeling curvature to align with the overall aesthetic direction.
& Refinement
Subtle delicate details introduce a feeling of craftsmanship and refinement, leaning into the diamond motif on the glass pieces. Beginning to design corresponding accessories (torch & chip container)
Material Development
Creating the final product with technical partners
Working with a local glassblower to develop the final glass pieces at scale, modifying for price reasons.
Queen City Glassblowing
Working with the Rapid Prototyping Center to develop final CNC machined Wooden Pieces before inputing internal components
CNC Machine
Final Production
Deciding final materials for the end product.
Choosing maple due to closed-grain structure and resistance to splitting, staining with a dark food-safe, non-wax sealant
Maple Stained Wood
Deciding to incorporate the brand color into the glassware with green, burnt orange, and clear glass blown pieces.
Etched Colored Glass
Component Breakdown
How the pieces work from an internal perspective.
Smoking Lid
The Chimney
Mesh Filter
Main Glass
Coaster Lid
LED device
Coaster Base
Outer Housing
Pivot Bushing
P1E20 Electric Igniter
Trigger & Pull
Smoking Lid
Regulator Assembly
Dial Housing & Base Cap
Flame Adjustment Dial
Leather Grip Sleeve
Gas Valve
How it Works.
Choose your flavor of wood chips and place in the mesh filter of the chimney.
1 | Place Chips
Cover the filter to conceal the smoke into the glass.
3 | Place Lid
Light the chips to create smoke build-up around the glass and drink.
2 | Torch Chips
Cover for 5-10 seconds, remove lid and enjoy!
4 | Cover & Enjoy
Illuminate the Space
Vela creates a thoughtful and crafted experience through light.
Warmth, atmosphere, and connection to one another, through ambient lighting, smokey flavor, and a curated ritual. Vela transforms a simple drink into a slowed down and relaxing environment that encourages slowing down, living in the now.
Playful Color
A Happy Accident...
While the designed color was a warm, yellow toned color to illuminate an old fashioned cocktail- the LED component allows for a multitude of colorways, inviting new corresponding inventive recipes to be created.
