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Bento: space design

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BENTO: SPACE DESIGN

by
Xiaoyuan Li

A Thesis Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC ROSKI SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
（DESIGN）

May 2022

Copyright 2022 Xiaoyuan Li

ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... iii
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... iv
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1
Food Container ............................................................................................................................... 1
Bento Box & Japanese Culture ...................................................................................................... 4
Compact Design ............................................................................................................................. 5
Bento Art ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Bento & Technology ...................................................................................................................... 9
Bento: Space Design .................................................................................................................... 10
Project 1: Makunouchi bento design for cherry blossom appreciation ............................ 11
Project 2: Seasonal landscape in a bento: small space contains big space ...................... 15
Project 3: My emotion preservation in an unoccupied space .......................................... 22
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 24
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................ 25

iii
List of Figures

Figure 1. Modern Bento Box ......................................................................................................... 6
Figure 2. Lego Bento ..................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 3. 松普美喜"The Milkmaid ............................................................................................... 9
Figure 4. Tree Art Meal Box ........................................................................................................ 10
Figure 5. Makunouchi bento design for cherry blossom appreciation ......................................... 15
Figure 6. Word composed by tree seeds ...................................................................................... 16
Figure 7. Autumn Bento Box ....................................................................................................... 18
Figure 8. Spatial fall Bento Box .................................................................................................. 19
Figure 9. Rug art of nature ........................................................................................................... 21
Figure 10. Tufting process for fall bento box .............................................................................. 21
Figure 11. Emotion Bento Box .................................................................................................... 23

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Abstract
As we become absorbed by the dynamic imagery that the Internet offers us, we start to
lose interest in the everyday objects that surround us. To revitalize our interest and to reevaluate
the possibilities within a typical object, my design work focuses on exploring and reassessing a
common object—the lunchbox.
Each country has a unique cultural heritage story associated with its conventional
lunchbox, however the Japanese lunchbox, known as the bento, has a cultural story that is
particularly unique. The history and aesthetics of the bento box demonstrates Japanese design
culture with its comprehensive space arrangement and irregular ingredient combinations. The
bento box, functions not only as a cultural object, but also as a design metaphor.
After researching bento box design and its history I was inspired to design my own bento
box by integrating classic bento box design with my own concepts and content. In my designs, a
bento box may contain more than simply food. It can also carry a memory, an unforgettable
scene, and some unique feelings. People will encounter a different spirit the moment they lift
the lid.
My research process includes an in-depth examination of the design and construction of
the food container, especially those that are influenced by the culture of their country, along with
a study of public perceptions toward food containers and their design. I utilize illustrations,
handicraft, short animations, and new media with the intention of exploring design within these
small spaces while also assessing the potential for reinterpreting the lunchbox.

1

Introduction
As more and more people rely on electronic devices and virtual technology. Objects in
the real world are ignored. The commercialization of objects has resulted in many of us defining
an objects value by money and no longer thinking about the meaning behind the object. This
situation poses a problem for me as a designer. What can I do to break the stereotype of an object
and create a new connotation? How can I understand an object’s function and true value? My
design research begins with the Japanese meal container known as a bento box, a small food
container that functions both as a cultural object and metaphor. To understand the bento box
space, one must rethink the definition of what food containers are and the space they actually
hold.
Food Container
To start, what is a food container? The history of food containers could be traced back to
the early human civilizations. In early times, ancient Egyptians stored large amounts of wheat,
maize in large structures made of grass and leaves which were woven into baskets to store food.
In modern society, with the invention of plastic, metal, and renewable materials, food containers
made of various materials have become increasingly popular.
The container is defined as an object that can be used to hold or transport something. Just
like a box, people place objects inside and close the lid. In real life, there are different containers
with a similar or same functions. It is my opinion that the items placed into the box give the box
a spirit. When a person closes the lid, the spirit becomes quiet. Conversely, when people reopen
the lid, they revive the spirit and set it in an active living environment. The spirit can be a cue to
a particular memory, a passion of love, or a culture exchange. Like a time capsule, time does not

2
pause in the darkness, instead, time regenerates and recreates new spirits out of the container. In
regards to food containers, every country has developed a system of food containers based on
local cuisine. In Japan, bento boxes are commonly used everywhere. Standard bento boxes are
made of aluminum, plastic and steel that not only contains pre-packaged meals, but also
affection, from the bento maker to the diner. Usually, a mother or wife prepares a bento box for
her children or husband. A proper bento lunch is crafted with care and should be a complete meal
with a variety of flavors, textures, and food groups.
1
For most Japanese people, bento is a frame
for capturing the scenery of food, and its beauty has never existed outside a seasonal context.
Thus, the bento serves as a means of communication. People used to send bentos as gifts to their
favorite celebrities or in times of sickness.
2

In Korea, people use Dosirak, a container typically made of plastic or thermo-steel. It
usually contains bap (a cooked rice). Dosirak is highly influenced by bento culture as well as
western cuisine. The difference is Dosirak is not highly focused on the arrangements of the
foods. Instead, before removing the lid, people need to shake Dosirak to mix the ingredients with
the sauce. Similar to Dosirak, the Chinese to go boxes are less focused on visual aesthetics. They
are easy to produce, convenient, and they feature an attractive origami-inspired design.
3
Unlike
Bento boxes and Dosirak, which were invented in Japan and Korea, the most iconic Chinese

1
“A Look inside Japanese Bento Boxes: Types & Ingredients.” Let's experience Japan.
GURUNAVI, October 2, 2017. https://gurunavi.com/en/japanfoodie/2017/10/japanese-bento-
boxes-types-ingredients.html?__ngt__=TT1272a62c3003ac1e4ae587BZYq-
0VNf61zFOuijKdgmI.

2
Constance. “Digesting Japanese History: Metaphors behind Bento.” Constance Tang. Thought,
October 14, 2021. https://constance-tang.com/2021/04/01/digesting-japanese-history/.
3
Mtob, mtob. “Origins of Chinese Takeout Boxes.” MrTakeOutBags, October 30, 2020.
https://www.mrtakeoutbags.com/blog/origins-of-chinese-takeout-boxes/.

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takeout box was invented in the United States, not China. The earliest Chinese to-go box was
designed by an inventor named Frederick Weeks in 1894. The whole box was made from one
piece of paper that is folded into a secured container with the wire handle. His inspiration came
from the oyster container——oyster pail. During the gold rush, Chinese immigrants came to the
United States and built a lot of Chinese restaurants. With this cultural exchange and mix of
cuisine, American Chinese food became part of the mainstream in the U.S. and with the growing
popularity of American Chinese food, this sturdy, convenient and leak proof food container
became ideal for carrying heavily sauced foods. Since then, the design has remained unchanged.
For this type of lunch box, functionality plays a big role.
Out of the three types of food containers, the bento box could be considered the more
“emotional” experience because whoever prepares the food thinks in advance of the eater’s
reaction when removing the lid. They believe the eaters' joy comes from opening the lid and
seeing the food in different assortments. In addition to the food matter, the internal design of the
box includes the shape of each layer, and the gaps between the dividers are all cleverly designed.
As a famous Japanese designer Kenji Ekuan said in his book The aesthetics of the Japanese
lunchbox, "the joy of the lunch box is limitless in terms of various levels of arrangement and
juxtapositions it affords.”
4
Bento boxes, aside from storing food and bringing delight, are also
symbols of Japanese culture, functioning as a virtual logo for the island of Japan.

4
Ekuan, Kenji, and David B. Stewart. The Aesthetics of the Japanese Lunchbox. Cambridge,
MA: MIT Press, 2000.

4

Bento Box & Japanese Culture
Bento's origins can be traced back to nineteenth-century Japanese society. Before that,
most Japanese used random containers to store rice balls for easy travel, so that they could eat
lunch to restore their energy after work. With the development of food culture, more types of
food and bento boxes began to multiply. Originally, Japanese people usually brought bento
boxes to the theater, work and school. Later, the occasions for carrying a bento are no longer
limited to work and study. The bento can be seen everywhere at various entertainment activities
during cherry blossom appreciation, worship, and cruises. Bento boxes have become an integral
part of contemporary Japanese cuisine culture today. This culture has also developed rapidly in
other countries and evolved into different forms.
The highly sophisticated system that could contain and present all kinds of individual
components is a major element of why a small bento box can become a Japanese cultural
emblem. When most people open the Bento box, their level of food liking is no longer relevant.
People will be drawn to a new eating experience because of the visual appeal. The impact of the
natural environment and seasonal fluctuations on Japanese culture is significant. In order to
achieve a balance between people's visual aesthetics and seasonal variations, Japanese
restaurants gradually incorporate cuisine items that complement the season. The most famous
example is the Japanese cherry blossom season, a time of renewal. People throw parties under
the cherry blossom tree as the blossoms fall throughout the cherry blossom season. People enjoy
the various degrees of blossoming and postures of cherry blossoms while eating the cherry

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blossom shaped rice bowl from the bento box. Also, to achieve a harmonious union with nature,
fruits and vegetables are chopped into floral shapes inside the bento.
As I already stated, the space in a bento box is highly controlled. There is barely any
wasted space in Japan, which is due to the island's size and highly urbanized structure. People in
a densely populated city have limited living space, which forces them to be more strategic in
space planning. When everyone considers how they use space, a system of economic space
emerges. When it comes to Bento boxes, every square inch is filled with rational design.
Compact Design
People in Japan have developed great visual sense for packaged things as a result of years
of practice. In terms of bento boxes with a variety of food types and flavors, the Mahayana type
structure has been popular. “By embracing this Mahayana, or Greater vehicle of Buddhist belief,
prototype of lunchbox structure, one attains freedom of choice, full use of the advantages of all
parts, and a richness in narrative capacity.”
5
Depending on the meal type, the structure of the
bento box has evolved into different types. During the Meiji period, Makunouchi bento was a
popular bento sold at train stations and convenience stores. It consists primarily of rice with a
tiny bit of a variety of other ingredients. It was served in a series of lacquered tiered boxes which
are shared by multiple persons. The interior is separated into unbalanced segments. Rice will be
stored in the larger compartment. For the rest of the segments, dishes may be slightly different.

5
Ekuan, Kenji, and David B. Stewart. The Aesthetics of the Japanese Lunchbox. Cambridge,
MA: MIT Press, 2000.

6
In today’s environment, new types of bento boxes have emerged with a modern and
simple design. They are designed for various contexts such as restaurants, hotels, and high tea.
MyGlassStudio has released a chic bento box. This collection is made of glass, which can be
used for a longer period and is more environmentally friendly. Unlike traditional bento boxes,
which have non-removable compartments, this new bento has detachable dividers, giving people
more freedom to rearrange and control the plating. With different assortments, the bento box is
no longer an individual meal box, but rather complements the interior décor of various settings.
(See figure 1)

Figure 1: Modern Bento Box Design
6

Like glass bento boxes, stackable bento boxes embody modern contemporary design and
have gained popularity in luxury restaurants. The stackable bento box has 2 to 3 tiers depending
on the amount of food. Any meal can be served in this tiered bento box. Warm meals should go
on the upper tiers, while cold meals should go on the bottom. On the top, the lid will "lock" and
will not slip off. Along with the rapid development of take-out services, this type of bento box

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Modern Bento Box Design for the Food Service Industry. December 9, 2020.
https://myglassstudio.com/modern-bento-box-design/.

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has become the primary choice for high-end restaurants. For most Japanese, bento is more than
simply a way to satisfy one's hunger. It's also a cherished memory of the past in this fast-paced
city lifestyle.
Bento Art
Aside from manufacturing bento boxes, the Japanese devote a great deal of time and
effort in preserving this tradition. Popular bento box art is in every Japanese household. People
make ordinary ingredients into different shapes, for example, fish cakes are cut into different
floral shapes such as rose, cherry blossoms. Ingredients are turned into different cute animals. In
the eyes of the bento artist, food ingredients are like pigments and hands are like brushes. With
creative thinking, the contents of a bento box can be surprisingly inventive. Sumiko, a bento
artist, sliced fruits into cubes and then cut the top layer into dots using straws. As a result, the
fruits resemble Lego pieces. People notice not only creativity but also the craftsmanship when
they open the box (See figure 2).

Figure 2: Lego Bento
7

7
Adams, Diana. The LEGO Bento Lunch Design: A Delicious Feat Of Geek. BIT REBELS.
Accessed February 15, 2022. https://bitrebels.com/lifestyle/lego-bento-lunch-design/.

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According to my research, the majority of bento artists are housewives. They place a
higher weight on life rituals and have a positive opinion toward meal preparation. The creativity
and style of a bento box is equally important as the balanced nutrition and delicious taste.
Another housewife, 松普美喜, was also an accomplished artist. Three years ago, she was given
the chance to display her art talent by producing bentos, and she now considers herself an avant-
garde bento artist. Most of her works mimic world-famous art pieces using food ingredients.
Through her bento art, I was impressed to see how she utilized the different food’s properties to
create art. "The Milkmaid" is one of her bento works, based on a seventeenth century oil painting
by Johannes Vermeer. In her recreation, turmeric rice serves as the backdrop, with colored
cheese serving as the women's face, hands, and pitcher. The pitcher is filled with mashed
chicken, onion, and cream cheese. (See figure 3) Food ingredients were given a new texture and
property as a result of her work. By creating many bento box art works, 松浦美嘉 developed her
own unique art path. As she said, making bento is not only my passion for art creation, but also
how to make the world interesting through trivial daily life.
8

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DENG, CHRISTY. “便當竟然變身名畫！渡邊直美、川普、梵谷用食材神還原，日本家
庭主婦真的沒有極限啊.” ELLE. ELLE, June 9, 2021.
https://www.elle.com/tw/life/style/g35623802/japan-celebrity-biandong/.

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Figure 3: 松普美喜"The Milkmaid"
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Bento & Technology
In addition to traditional bento art where people played around with food ingredients to
create characters. Nowadays, the combination of AR technology and bento art brings people a
different sensory experience. NAKED INC, a Japanese firm, introduced its TREE ART
DINNER BOX. "Bringing creation to life" is the core concept. The tree art bento box consists of
six total small boxes with two appetizers, two main courses and two desserts. The unique
experience is that the small box now serves as a flowerpot, and the customer sows and cultivates
edible "soil" before planting herbs in it to create an edible landscape. After that, the customer just
needs to place a “seed” on the plate. The seed is for the AR camera, and all users have to do is
hold it up. Then, using the AR App, they will be able to watch the seeds sprout and grow.

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美喜松普. The Milkmaid. August 22, 2021. https://www.instagram.com/p/CS5g8DJFJBU/.

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Through this approach, customers will be able to build their own art dinner that overlaps with the
food they prepared (See figure 4).

Figure 4: Tree Art Meal Box
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With this AR technology, people can have a unique experience observing the food
ingredients in an artificial nature environment. The box also features audio playing in addition to
the visual effects. With all the features, this art bento box provides a dining experience with
sensory pleasures that most people have never had.

Bento: Space Design
After conducting research and gathering information about Bento boxes, I decided to
create my own bento to post a comprehensive space management challenge as well as to explore

10
おうち時間が、非日常空間に！. Makauke, January 29, 2021.
https://www.makuake.com/project/treebynaked/.

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the possibility built into the food container. The body of my works could be divided into the
following categories:
1. Makunouchi bento design for cherry blossom appreciation
2. Seasonal landscape in a bento: small space contains big space
3. My emotion preservation in an unoccupied space
My first project focused primarily on designing the dishes within the makunouchi bento
for cherry blossom appreciation season. This digital illustration project is more of an experiment
for me, the second and third projects dig deeper into the bento box's possibilities. In these two
projects the landscape through my own journey, as well as the emotions I encountered when
alone, are encompassed in the bento box’s restricted space. For these two projects, I employ
three-dimensional spatial vision, animation, and tufting in addition to digital illustration. This
project is based on a real bento box filled with plants I collected in the Los Angeles area.
Project 1: Makunouchi bento design for cherry blossom appreciation
When I originally started creating and illustrating my first bento box, I was inspired by a
Makunouchi bento I saw in Japan, where the food was either pink or cherry blossom shaped. One
of the reasons that the bento box affords a favorable impression for me is the fact that there is
nothing dull inside. My attention is held by the variety of components and distinctive shapes.
I began by drawing the bento box based on a real Makunouchi bento. The Makunouchi
bento initially appeared in the mid-Edo period. Makunouchi is a Japanese phrase that means
"behind the curtain”. It refers to when actors and actresses ate bento during intermission in the
theater. At this time, bento boxes were built of paper-thin sheets of wood. After the Meiji period,

12
Makunouchi bento was sold on trains and stations. People began to utilize disposable paper-thin
wood boxes as the bento grew in popularity and became more difficult to gather and recycle.
Today's train station bentos focus more on regional specialties and ingredients, but Makunouchi
bento is still popular. Makunouchi bento, as I mentioned, has varied assortments including
Japanese style omelet, fish sausage, Japanese pickles and other deep-fried food. The top layers of
the boxes were filled with side dishes, while the bottom layer was filled with cylindrical rice
balls. In cherry blossom viewing season, makunouchi bento is everywhere in Japan.
After drawing the bento box, I started thinking about the food assortment in my bento to
complement the theme of a cherry blossom motif. When I was browsing different bentos, I found
Japanese people are obsessed with sakura due to popular legends. Cherry blossom is pronounced
sakura in Japanese. In ancient times. The god in charge of rice was called "Sa" and "Kura" was
the place where the god lived. The arrival of "Sa" god on earth is thought to be symbolized by
cherry blossoms blooming. People would put offerings under the tree during this time to pray for
a successful harvest in the autumn. The first instance of flower viewing can be traced back to the
Nara period's floral feast among the nobles (710-794). The nobility first appreciated the "plum
flowers" sent from China. At the time, there were numerous short songs and poems about plum
trees. Cherry blossoms were not fully planted until the Heian period (794-1192), when a fire
tragically broke out in the imperial palace, destroying the plum trees. Since then, it has become
trendy to admire cherry blossoms in Japan.
Along with the popularity and development of cherry blossom viewing, it has a unique
value in the heart of Japanese due to its attributes. There is a Japanese proverb "桜は七日"
(cherry blossoms for seven days), which describes that cherry blossoms only last for seven days.
Although there are minor changes depending on the type, the majority of them bloom at the same

13
time, fade after a week, then scatter without delay overnight. The cherry blossoms bloom pink
and send the message of spring after a harsh winter, leaving behind a brief spectacular presence
before dying, such a passionate and noble life sentiment which leaves an indelible exceptional
impression in the hearts of the Japanese people. During this season, people of all social classes
dress up and visit the blossoming cherry orchards, eating and drinking to the accompaniment of
music and dance.
Due to the cherry blossoms' exceptional status and the Makunouchi feature, I decided to
design a sakura molded rice bowl. On the rice top, I put pink dyed lotus root, fish egg and a real
sakura as decoration. Another important factor for bento is that all foods must consider the
balances of meat and vegetables, the nutritional value, and the color of the dish. To achieve a
visual balance, I selected food ingredients in a variety of colors and divided the bento box into
three sections: rice, raw food, and cooked food. On the bottom left side, there are Tamago-yak I
(Japanese rolled omelet), vegetable sushi, Masago (smelt roe), fish cakes and shrimp tempura.
Within that limited space, I put so many food items in their designated areas. One reason is that,
in accordance with the Japanese diet, food is typically served on a variety of small plates. The
most well-known Japanese dish is called Kaiseki. Kaiseki cuisine features a set course meal
chosen by the chef to highlight a specific seasonal theme—at the height of spring, for example,
this may be represented by a budding Sakura, a cherry blossom in full bloom.
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Following the
concept of Kaiseki, every dish from my bento box are in small amounts and all highlight the

11
Japan, Savor. “Kaiseki Cuisine: Japan's Artful Culinary Tradition Explained.” Kaiseki
Cuisine: Japan's Artful Culinary Tradition Explained. SAVOR JAPAN, June 4, 2020.
https://savorjapan.com/contents/more-to-savor/kaiseki-cuisine-japans-artful-culinary-
tradition-explained/.

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cherry blossom motif. For example, next to Tamago-yak, the sushi is made out of white radish,
rice and yellow radish pickle. The white radish is cut into paper thin slices and when the slices
join together, they resemble the blooming petals of a flower. Yellow radish pickles are chopped
into petal-like tiny pieces and placed on top of the sushi. Sakura shaped fishcake and carrot are
scattered in the box for decorative purposes. The main dishes in the box are shrimp tempura and
sashimi. I chose shrimp tempura because out of my personal experiences with Japanese food,
almost every Japanese restaurant serves shrimp tempura. As one of the most representative
Japanese cuisines, tempura is not only just fried food. It is an art of time and temperature. The
process of making it has to be rigorous, because variations in oil temperature, flour form,
moisture, and frying time will cause the flavor of the ingredients to differ or even be lost.
Another main dish is salmon sashimi. Sashimi is raw fish that has been finely sliced and eaten
without rice. The fish slices are usually nicely arranged on a plate. For my design, I intended to
create a rose blossom made of a piece of fish filet wrapped around another piece. A similar
design approach is also applied to the cucumber salad. Now, a nutritionally balanced
Makunouchi bento, with meat, vegetables, grain and fruits with a cherry blossom theme is
designed. Through the bento box, I hope that the audience can sense the high density in
arranging every dish in the small space, as well as the theme of harmony with nature in the
dining experience (See figure 5).

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Figure 5: Makunouchi bento design for cherry blossom appreciation

Project 2: Seasonal landscape in a bento——small space contains big space
After designing and completing my first project, the illustrated meal bento box, I thought
about designing a bento box to accommodate other possibilities, converting the food space to a
large creative space. My second project was inspired by an assignment I took at The USC Roski
School of Art and Design. Andrew Byrom, our guest designer, gave us a word in class, and we
had to compose it in a specific typeface using natural materials. For this project, I paid more
attention to nature. I first noticed rain splattered seeds have various color hues on the ground
(See figure 6). When working on this project, I had the idea to depict and save these scenes
where nature is occurring, whether spectacular or tiny. Based on this concept, I conceived of a
bento box that would be an ideal container for preserving natural scenery because it contains

16
many divisions that can carry different content. More importantly, larger natural spaces could be
nicely displayed in a compact bento box, giving the audience's eyes visual pleasure at first
glance. “Without a pause this information obtained through the eye explodes like so many
sympathetic fireworks and fuses within an inner world.”
12

Figure 6: Word composed by tree seeds
Next, I developed a collection of four seasonal landscape bento boxes using an artistic
approach. As with my first project, I begin by selecting the suitable bento box. Out of all the
Japanese bento boxes, I found a stackable bento box named Jubako bento. Japanese Jubako
boxes are stackable, tiered food containers that are typically square or cylindrical in shape,
consisting of two to five stackable sub-boxes. It first appeared in Japan during the Muromachi

12
Ekuan, Kenji, and David B. Stewart. The Aesthetics of the Japanese Lunchbox. Cambridge,
MA: MIT Press, 2000.

17
period and was designed to serve individual meals in a handy manner. Due to its stackability,
Jubako became quite popular in outdoor activities later in the Edo period. This meal box is ideal
for my second project because I want to show different landmarks within one season and every
sub-box has enough space for me to present a landmark.
After choosing the suitable box, I created original content by collecting scenery from my
own memories. I thought about all the seasons I've experienced of which fall is the most
unforgettable. The main reason for selecting fall is that before I moved to California, I lived in
the middle of the United States. I noticed then that fall scenery in the middle of the country is
distinctly different from other seasons. One of my favorite autumn memories is driving to the
state of Michigan with my friends, where the trees along the side of the road rustled in the
sunlight cast gold shadows and created many different shades of orange. At a landmark called
Lake of Clouds, I observed a beautiful view of the forest from a high vantage point. The creek
meandered slowly through the trees, and the leaves in various shades of gold formed a natural
palette. Even today, I can still recall the breathtaking scenery I witnessed that day. Aside from
the Lake of Cloud Lake, I was struck by the peacefulness of another scene from a Japanese
garden in fall. Fading red and yellow maple leaves drift calmly in the pond beneath a Japanese
bridge. As the koi swim underwater, the leaves occasionally float to the other side. The partially
bright red color of the fish and the red maple leaves in the pond are intertwined in a quiet and
beautiful way. These where the first two scenes I tried to capture not only with my eyes and
cameras, but also in an unusual way. In this scenario, I am the one who makes the bento. During
the creation process, I considered my consumers' feelings in advance. I hope that just by looking
at the squared bento box, this landscape bento may bring the audience to a variety of places
where they can admire the beauty and power of nature. To accomplish my goal, I begin by

18
creating an Adobe illustration of the Lake of Clouds. Because it includes a variety of colors, this
environment looks best in the miso soup bowl that comes with the bento box; in a larger space,
people are more likely to lose focus of the entire picture. Besides landscape viewing, autumn is
also a harvest season. Out of all the vegetables, pumpkins are magnificent in North America.
Harvesting pumpkins is a popular activity throughout the fall season, so I included this view in
my sub box within the bento as well. As a result, the bento box's illustrated scenery features a
pumpkin harvesting scene on the left, a Japanese pond on the right, and a cloud forest lake in the
soup bowl. The remaining three seasons, in addition to the fall bento box, are created using a
similar illustration technique (See figure 7).

Figure 7: Autumn Bento Box

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When I finished illustrating different boxes, I wondered if there were any other ways to
design my narratives by expanding beyond just using illustration. Later I found another creative
methods of visual communication through the app Mental Canvas. In this app, drawings are
elevated to appear more three dimensional. This app literally transports the drawings to different
layers and angles in a virtual space. For this project, I imagined I would be capable of displaying
more details if the landscape within the bento box could be expanded by using layers and seen in
a three-dimensional space. When I first started using the software, I divided the layers based on
their spatial relationships. Then I modified the rotation angle of each layer. The purpose of doing
so is, for example, when the floating leaves layer is pulled away, the goldfish beneath the leaves
can be seen more clearly, and when the goldfish layer is taken away, the stream reappears. The
layers are distinct from each other when the lens is close, but when the lens is far away layers are
interrelated to form a gorgeous landscape (See figure 8).

Figure 8: Spatial Fall Bento Box. Created by Xiaoyuan Li. [2022]. From
Vimeo.https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/67136256

In addition to illustration and Mental Canvas which are preserving sceneries in a digital
world, my attention shifted to crafts. I first noticed Alexandra Kehayoglou's tufting rug art one

20
day, and it immediately drew my attention. Her works about nature are so different from other
forms of art “Alexandra Kehayoglou’s latest work is pretty eye-popping, creating both a
backdrop and a ground of nature that emulates the feeling of moss, grass, sand, pastures and even
snow
13
.” I see nature as being soft and tangible in her rug art, and by looking at her works, color
nuances in nature are more visible to me now. Making an art piece that can be utilized in real life
seemed to me to be another intriguing way to interact with nature (See figure 9). I began
experimenting with tufting a rug in a studio to be based on my fall bento box pattern. The
process started with transporting the work from illustrator to a canvas. Then I chose a wool color
and used a tufting gun to punch the needle through the canvas in a loop shape. The entire process
takes patience and physical strength. I had to pay close attention to the gaps between each wool
line and how the front looks. My fall bento box is in the form of a rug after seven hours of studio
time, and it appears to be abstract. As a result of this experiment, I decided to make the other
three landscape bento boxes using crafts as well (See figure 10).

13
Mok, Kimberley. “These Recycled 'Pasture' Rugs Bring Nature's Textures into the Home.”
Treehugger. Treehugger, October 11, 2018. https://www.treehugger.com/alexandra-
kehayoglou-new-recycled-pasture-rugs-4854034.

21

Figure 9: Rug art of nature
14

F Figure 10: Tufting process for fall bento box

14
Kehayoglou, Alexandra. October 11, 2018. These Recycled 'Pasture' Rugs Bring Nature's
Textures Into the Home. https://www.treehugger.com/alexandra-kehayoglou-new-recycled-
pasture-rugs-4854034.

22
Project 3: My emotion preservation in an unoccupied space
As a result of the fast-paced lifestyle in a modern metropolis, people have become more
independent and also a lot lonelier. Restaurants with small cubicle spaces serving only one
person have become popular and widespread in various countries, such as Japan and China. It
appears that this compartment is quite lonely, however, the eating experience is comfortable, and
diners no longer need to worry about other people's gaze. A bento box can be a small cubicle
existing in everyone’s emotional life. In this compartment built by self-awareness, people's
emotions that they don't want to be seen by others can be vocalized.
For this project, I chose Cedar Wappa’s Bento Box. The box looks beautiful in a circular
shape and is wrapped in bamboo or bark. The entire bento box does not have a sharp angle which
gives me a warm feeling. As for designing the content, I wanted to put two emotions I
experienced either sad or joyful as comparison. I also used Adobe Illustrator for this project. On
the right side, the wine in the bottle slowly flows out, and this area of the box serves as a bathtub
for the pouring wine. In a situation of extreme stress and despair, it was an imaginary
exaggerated way of releasing my own emotions. Alcohol has paralyzed me and I did't want to
confront the world beyond the box. On the left side, is a new version of me after I had gone
through stress and self-reconciliation, sitting on an eggshell hill signifying restriction and
enjoying the pleasure of being free. Besides the two bento boxes, I also designed a little sake
cup. This cup contains my daily sentiments of happiness or despair, which are interwoven and
intermingled in this complicated world of emotions.
To make the visual effect more intuitive, I animated this illustration in the Adobe After
Effect program. When a light hits the box, my emotions are gradually displayed in the animation.

23
I began to slowly sink, utterly immersed in a submarine space surrounded by emotions and
drunkenness as the wine slowly spilled from the bottle. The other half of the box was illuminated
as the light moved, the clouds floated back and forth, and I moved from side to side, no longer
drowning in sadness and stress. The mountains in the cup and a few stars strewn with
shimmering light gently shift when the light hits the far left, representing the small mood swings
that aren't enough to generate waves (See figure 11).

Figure 11: Emotion Bento Box. Created by Xiaoyuan Li. [2022]. From Vimeo.
https://vimeo.com/67134997

24
Conclusion
In daily lives, people are more inclined to buy and use goods such as a chair, a light, or a
lunch box without thinking outside of the box. When practicality is the primary criterion for
determining an object's value, creativity and imagination can be lacking. Every small object has
its own distinct history and design. Through creating this series of bento boxes, I did break my
own stereotypes and start to perceive the distinctiveness of things from a variety of perspectives.
For my exhibition, I hope that by displaying my bento in various mediums, people would be able
to appreciate the meaning of everyday objects and gain a new perspective on bento.
During my design process, I explored bento box not only as a meal container but also a
cultural representation of Japanese cuisine, a creative space to document natural landscapes and a
small cubicle containing one’s private emotional life. In addition to the three projects, I also plan
to design more bento boxes that combine new technology and design concepts. Many restaurants
currently employ AR technology to connect art and the experience of tasting food. For myself, I
want to experiment with new software to make more immersive bento art. After opening the box,
individuals can no longer merely look at the graphic design and handmade products but can
realistically feel the expressed emotions and the beauty of the landscape in a three-dimension
space, as bento functions as a bridge between the viewer's sentiments and the artwork.
Apart from the audience, these projects also have a significant meaning to myself, as they
are a collection of my fragmented memories. In the future when I look back at this project, I will
recall a trip I took a long time ago, some beautiful sceneries, and the emotions I felt under
extreme conditions. In some ways, they serve as a vehicle for my life experiences, an experience
that can be shared with others without verbal translation.

25
Bibliography
Diana Adams (BIT REBELS), accessed February 15, 2022, https://bitrebels.com/lifestyle/lego-
bento-lunch-design/.

Constance, “Digesting Japanese History: Metaphors behind Bento,” Constance Tang (Thought,
October 14, 2021), https://constance-tang.com/2021/04/01/digesting-japanese-history/.

CHRISTY DENG, “便當竟然變身名畫！渡邊直美、川普、梵谷用食材神還原，日本家庭
主婦真的沒有極限啊,” ELLE (ELLE, June 9, 2021),
https://www.elle.com/tw/life/style/g35623802/japan-celebrity-biandong/.

Kenji Ekuan and David B. Stewart, The Aesthetics of the Japanese Lunchbox (Cambridge, MA:
MIT Press, 2000).

Savor Japan, “Kaiseki Cuisine: Japan's Artful Culinary Tradition Explained,” Kaiseki Cuisine:
Japan's Artful Culinary Tradition Explained (SAVOR JAPAN, June 4, 2020),
https://savorjapan.com/contents/more-to-savor/kaiseki-cuisine-japans-artful-culinary-tradition-
explained/.

Alexandra Kehayoglou, October 11, 2018, These Recycled 'Pasture' Rugs Bring Nature's
Textures Into the Home, October 11, 2018, https://www.treehugger.com/alexandra-kehayoglou-
new-recycled-pasture-rugs-4854034.

“A Look inside Japanese Bento Boxes: Types & Ingredients,” Let's experience Japan
(GURUNAVI, October 2, 2017), https://gurunavi.com/en/japanfoodie/2017/10/japanese-bento-
boxes-types-ingredients.html?__ngt__=TT1272a62c3003ac1e4ae587BZYq-
0VNf61zFOuijKdgmI.

26
December 9, 2020, December 9, 2020, https://myglassstudio.com/modern-bento-box-design/.

Kimberley Mok, “These Recycled 'Pasture' Rugs Bring Nature's Textures into the Home,”
Treehugger (Treehugger, October 11, 2018), https://www.treehugger.com/alexandra-
kehayoglou-new-recycled-pasture-rugs-4854034.

mtob Mtob, “Origins of Chinese Takeout Boxes,” MrTakeOutBags, October 30, 2020,
https://www.mrtakeoutbags.com/blog/origins-of-chinese-takeout-boxes/.

おうち時間が、非日常空間に！ (Makauke, January 29, 2021),
https://www.makuake.com/project/treebynaked/.

美喜松普, August 22, 2021, August 22, 2021, https://www.instagram.com/p/CS5

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Asset Metadata

Creator Li, Xiaoyuan (author)

Core Title Bento: space design

School Roski School of Art and Design

Degree Master of Fine Arts

Degree Program Design

Degree Conferral Date 2022-05

Publication Date 04/16/2022

Defense Date 04/16/2022

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag bento art,bento box,compact design,food container,Japanese culture,OAI-PMH Harvest,space design

Format application/pdf (imt)

Language English

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

Advisor Wojciak, Ewa (committee chair), Desjardins, Miya Elise (committee member), Ellenburg , Jason Fowler (committee member), trujillo, osvaldo (committee member)

Creator Email annyli1327@gmail.com,xli17227@usc.edu

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-oUC110964847

Unique identifier UC110964847

Document Type Thesis

Format application/pdf (imt)

Rights Li, Xiaoyuan

Type texts

Source 20220417-usctheses-batch-927 (batch), University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

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Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 2810, 3434 South Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-2810, USA

Repository Email cisadmin@lib.usc.edu