Portion Distortion

Studio José de la O explores how product design might influence on eating patterns through a collection of hypothetical objects that focuses on a specific eating disorder.

The way we consume food is heavily influenced on the tools and objects we use. Size, color, and the usability of our eating artefacts can influence on creating consumption patterns that might cause overeating.

Inspired on the research by various behavioural psychologists, this project is an exploration of how product design might influence on eating patterns, through a collection of hypothetical objects that focuses on a specific eating disorde: an hypothetical collection of tableware that manipulates our eating behaviour.

Studio José de la O, Maze Cover. The Maze Cover is an hypothetical children’s toy that is inserted on the top of a bowl and helps slowing down the process of eating, fighting the crave of eating sugary, fatty and salty foods. By presenting a simple, yet annoying maze. Also, this cover is designed in different translucent colours, in order to make different types of food less desirable, for example, a brown cover for Froot Loops, orPurple for Mac & Cheese.

Portion Distortion is part of the initiative inside Studio José de la O called “Project Friday”, where every collaborator at the studio is encouraged to develop a project by researching on an interesting topic that not necessarily has to have a design direction. The outcome ends up as a non-comercial design project that might challenge traditional design.

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Studio José de la O, Maze Cover.

Studio José de la O, Maze Cover.

Studio José de la O, Maze Cover.

Studio José de la O, Portion Proportion. This collection of tableware have a dotted pattern that works as a visual reference so we can see actually the size of our food, and avoid “Portion Distortion”. The color cues on each plate tells the quantity of food one should eat, from protein, salad, carbs or candy, while the dotted patterns help as a reference on personalising the size of each portion.