PRESSO

Portable espresso maker

Winter 2026

Allowing campers to have an elevated coffee experience

Majority of coffee drinkers depend on coffee no matter their environment

The complex systems that often come in portable espresso makers are undesirable for more remote environments, as people need something lightweight, easy to use and clean, while providing a quality result.

Problem

Design a compact, portable manual espresso maker for solo camping and backpacking that is easy to pack, clean, carry, and use while delivering a fast and elevated coffee experience.

Goal

Color Palette

Visual brand language

ONYX

Visual Inspiration

Product Details

Shape Ideation

Concept sketch variations revealing general mechanism and form

Halfway Point

Through sketching, prototyping, and continued research, I was able to decide on a concept with a general form and mechanism.

The brewing system will nest in a drinking thermos used as a vessel to hold extracted espresso.

The user will use a manual pump sitting on top of the brewing system to force hot water through coffee grounds and pull the espresso.

First renders revealing the inside mechanism and final outer form

CMF exploration

Designed specifically for remote use, Presso is a portable espresso maker delivering a more refined coffee experience outdoors.

make this a camping background with mountains and zoom in closer on the thermos, put it on

Portable, Lightweight, and Manual. Presso makes coffee easy.

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put these on a picnic table and fill the cup with coffee. moutains in the background and m

The brewing system is designed to nest within a stainless steel thermos, which functions both as a protective storage solution during transport and as an insulated drinking mug.

This integrated approach minimizes weight and size while ensuring the brewed coffee remains hot for the user.

The user loads the portafilter with pre-ground espresso and secures the water chamber above it. After filling the chamber, the pump is threaded onto the top and manually pumped to create pressure and begin extraction.

These detachable components are quick and easy to rinse off after use.

After assembling the brewing system to prepare for espresso extraction, it clips onto the top of the open thermos for brewing directly into the mug.

Constructed with a durable stainless steel base, the thermos is built to withstand harsh weather conditions and repeated use while consistently producing high-quality coffee.

The lid, made with PC, is designed to create grip when opening and closing the thermos, creating a tight seal and ease with use.

Designed with a silicone sleeve, the user can easily carry their coffee around with them throughout the morning.

Presso is offered in a variety of colors.

To further improve usability, the design includes a padded carrier bag that provides additional protection and accommodates a range of storage needs.