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Meal Blocs
Meal Blocs An on-the-go meal system to make the meal prepping, and the packed meal experience an easier and more enjoyable process to encourage healthier eating habits.
6 weeks
Course: Designing for Complex Product Systems
Industrial Design, User Research, Systems Design,
Rapid Prototyping, Solidworks, Keyshot
6 weeks
Course: Designing for Complex Product Systems
Industrial Design, User Research, Systems Design,
Rapid Prototyping, Solidworks, Keyshot
In the fast-paced world many college students and younger adults find themselves in, eating healthy home-cooked meals often gets pushed as a low-priority task. When attempts are made to set up the ideal ‘sunday-prep-for-the-week flow’, finding the balance of interesting things to cook that will not only be sustainable for, at minimum 5 lunches, but also be something to look forward to eating is a challenge. Moreover, most typical meal containers limit the variety and quantity being prepped and don’t allow for versatility.
So, what if there was a mix-and-match system, where one could prep serving sizes of various dishes of interest and build up their ~Blocs~ as they cook, or with leftovers throughout the week? Could prepped meals be personalized for the day depending on mood and needs?
Inspired by toys and play, Meal Blocs aims to bring back a mindful day-to-day meal prep experience and add joy to the process of eating outside of home. With 2 different Bloc container sizes, a systemized locking mechanism allowing for modularity with handles and bags to be snapped on, and a comfortable scale to fit in backpacks, and backpack waterbottle pockets, it can be easily matched to fit into one’s habits and routines.
So, what if there was a mix-and-match system, where one could prep serving sizes of various dishes of interest and build up their ~Blocs~ as they cook, or with leftovers throughout the week? Could prepped meals be personalized for the day depending on mood and needs?
Inspired by toys and play, Meal Blocs aims to bring back a mindful day-to-day meal prep experience and add joy to the process of eating outside of home. With 2 different Bloc container sizes, a systemized locking mechanism allowing for modularity with handles and bags to be snapped on, and a comfortable scale to fit in backpacks, and backpack waterbottle pockets, it can be easily matched to fit into one’s habits and routines.
How it works
Prep food and directly store it into Blocs of the desired size. Do this with leftovers, snacks, or more calculated portions anytime during the week. Put a lid on, and stack them in the fridge to maximize storage!
Food types and meals could also be organized by color during prep to allow for an easier time putting together balanced meals in the mornings.
Prep food and directly store it into Blocs of the desired size. Do this with leftovers, snacks, or more calculated portions anytime during the week. Put a lid on, and stack them in the fridge to maximize storage!
Food types and meals could also be organized by color during prep to allow for an easier time putting together balanced meals in the mornings.
When ready to go in the morning, choose Blocs for that day. Custumize your stack depending on the length of time away, and needs for the day.
Depending the mode of transportation, and preferences, use a handle that snaps ontop of the stack up, a bag that stacks from the bottom or just toss the stack in a backpack!
Depending the mode of transportation, and preferences, use a handle that snaps ontop of the stack up, a bag that stacks from the bottom or just toss the stack in a backpack!
Ideating Process
People tend to have an assortment of containers, jars, and dishes overflowing their cabinets. The goal for Meal Blocs is to incorporate as compactly and easily as possible into these kitchen cabinet and fridge spaces.
The triangular shape, inspired by the reuleaux triangle, and the range of colors that can be assembled, sparks a sense of attachment to the system and allows for self-expression.
People tend to have an assortment of containers, jars, and dishes overflowing their cabinets. The goal for Meal Blocs is to incorporate as compactly and easily as possible into these kitchen cabinet and fridge spaces.
The triangular shape, inspired by the reuleaux triangle, and the range of colors that can be assembled, sparks a sense of attachment to the system and allows for self-expression.
Physical Prototyping
Cardboard and foam models helped clarify many assumptions I was making about scale and fit.
I explored a taper on the container here to allow for more compact stacking for when the containers are empty. However, decided that the trade off of the imbalanced stacking when on-the-go was not worth the benefit of stacking of empty containers.
Cardboard and foam models helped clarify many assumptions I was making about scale and fit.
I explored a taper on the container here to allow for more compact stacking for when the containers are empty. However, decided that the trade off of the imbalanced stacking when on-the-go was not worth the benefit of stacking of empty containers.
Working Prototypes
Creating 3D printed prototypes to feel what the bayonet mechanism would feel like, tune tolerances, and refine the form.
Creating 3D printed prototypes to feel what the bayonet mechanism would feel like, tune tolerances, and refine the form.
Visualizing on CAD
Creating families of Blocs to explore with what different common stackups might look like. The 2 varying heights of container options really open up the options for play here!
Creating families of Blocs to explore with what different common stackups might look like. The 2 varying heights of container options really open up the options for play here!
Initial Keyshot Explorations
Color plays a big role in the use and aesthetics of the product. I imagine this is something you can mix and match during purchasing, again to fit individual styles and choices.
Color plays a big role in the use and aesthetics of the product. I imagine this is something you can mix and match during purchasing, again to fit individual styles and choices.
