in tola!

The region of Istria, a renowned touristic destination, is often depicted through superficial and non-functional souvenirs, designed and mass-produced far from the place they claim to represent. To challenge and contrast this situation, “in tola!” was developed. It is a collection of utensils for shared dining moments: picks inspired by olive leaves, spreaders by sardines, stirrers by wild asparagus and spoons by mussel shells. By translating morphology and gestures related to local produce into form and function of the tools, it evokes the conviviality of Istrian people and the produce of Istrian land. Moreover, involving locals in the design process resulted in products that reflect the region more authentically and foster a stronger sense of representation and pride for the community. Both the tools and their packaging are mono‑material, made respectively from stainless steel and corrugated cardboard, and designed for time‑ and resource‑efficient manufacturing in small scale workshops in the region.