Liam de la Bedoyere unveils Popsticks inflatable pocket chopsticks

When finding oneself without proper dining utensils turns into a creative spark, unusual design concepts come to life. Designer Liam de la Bedoyere has introduced Popsticks, a playful proposal for a pair of inflatable chopsticks that roll up to fit neatly inside a pocket, relying entirely on air pressure rather than mechanical hinges or detachable parts to form a functional utensil.

The idea took root during Productober, an Instagram creative challenge where participants respond to weekly design prompts. For the prompt themed 'Inflatable,' de la Bedoyere chose to take his concept beyond simple sketches and into a full three-dimensional exploration of how everyday dining tools might behave if they adopted the material characteristics of beach toys and temporary leisure items.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Each stick can be rolled into a compact spiral when deflated and inflated into shape whenever a dining emergency arises. The translucent blue aesthetic draws direct inspiration from the inflatable furniture trend of the 1990s from the designer's childhood. Utilizing tools like Vizcom alongside CAD and KeyShot, he captured the nostalgic look of objects that bridge the gap between functional accessories and novelty items.

"This isn’t my first emergency product idea. About ten years ago, I created the Emergency Moustache, so I’m always thinking about the next unnecessary emergency to prepare for."

Liam de la Bedoyere

This penchant for tackling improbable scenarios is a recurring theme in his portfolio. Having previously invented an emergency moustache approximately a decade prior, he continues to treat minor everyday inconveniences as opportunities to experiment with how familiar objects travel and behave.