Case Study

Pinch Collection

An Exploration of Materiality and Form

Client: Internal Collection

Made In: Vietnam

Category: Residential / Gallery

Products: Occasional Tables

Product

The Pinch Collection is a study in contrast—solid yet refined, sculptural yet functional. With moderate textural elements to the finish allowing for high and low variations in the way light interacts with the surface. Designed and developed entirely in-house by the Otipoti team, this intimate collection uses cast aluminium bases and smoked glass tops to explore the interplay between heavy form and visual lightness.

Concept Development

The design process began with a series of hand-drawn sketches exploring gesture, volume, and negative space. Multiple variations were considered, each playing with how tension and tapering could express the idea of a form being "pinched" from the edges.

Design Selection

After internal review, one standout concept emerged: a deeply sculptural base with gentle transitions that created a sense of movement and tension. Its simplicity masked the technical challenges, but its clarity of form made it the obvious choice to develop further.

Refinement & Rendering

From sketch to screen, the chosen concept was refined through 3D modelling, where proportions and transitions were adjusted to millimetre precision. Photo-realistic renders helped us evaluate materiality—especially how the smoked glass interacted visually with the mass of cast metal.

Engineering & Prototyping

Technical drawings were prepared to communicate complex curves and wall thicknesses for casting. We then 3D printed scaled versions of both the coffee and side tables to study the pieces physically, test visual balance, and pre-empt production issues.

Sampling & Development

Initial cast aluminium samples were raw and full of potential. With each iteration, we refined casting techniques, surface finishing, and edge detailing. Final samples showed a rich interplay between the hardened aluminium form and the cool, translucent glass tops.

Photography & Presentation

The final tables were captured in a controlled shoot to showcase form, shadow, and scale. These visuals became central to the product launch and were used across showroom, catalogue, and digital platforms.

Let’s create something original

The Pinch Collection is just one example of what’s possible when design, experimentation, and execution come together.

Get in touch to explore what we can create together.