A
GRIP - Ergonomic Cutlery
Name
Julie Dines Petersen
Education degree
Kandidat
Fagfelt
Design
Institute
Design, Product and Material
Program
Furniture Design - Products, Materials and Contexts
Year
2026
Grip is designed for individuals with reduced hand and finger function, with a focus on users with hand paralysis. The cutlery aims to embrace the diversity of human hands and nurture greater inclusion and a shared experience at the table.
Photo demonstrating how to hold the knife
Dining as a Social Ritual
Just as much as this design process focused on the individual user and the specific needs of the target group — people with paralysis in the hands and fingers — the project was also about acknowledging, accommodating, and including a group in society that often feels excluded and, in many cases, degraded in eating situations.
Assistive tools are never purely practical; they also influence how a person perceives themselves within everyday and social contexts.
Material Choice
The choice of metal as the primary material became a central part of the design process. Steel is one of the most commonly used materi als in everyday cutlery due to its durability, hygiene, strength, and long lifespan. Because most cutlery found in people’s homes is made from stainless steel, it became important for the ergonomic cutlery to visually and materially relate to conventional cutlery in order to reduce the feeling of difference often associted with assistive products.
Description of the final cutlery
The cutlery set consists of a knife, fork, and spoon designed in stainless steel with layered ergonomic handles. The handles provide tactile support, space for finger positioning, and improved control while maintaining a visally integrated and minimal expression. The surface is polished to create a smooth and uniform finish.
The Royal Danish Academy supports the Sustainable Development Goals
Since 2017 the Royal Danish Academy has worked with the Sustainable Development Goals. This is reflected in our research, our teaching and in our students’ projects. This project relates to the following UN goal(-s)
