-Automatic vending machine-
This project aims to break and decode the simplistic linear logic in traditional concepts that "appetite = hunger". In the mainstream cognitive framework, appetite is often reduced to a purely physiological demand signal. However, this mechanical causal theory obscures the complex essence of the human desire system - our appetite is actually a multi-dimensional emotional interface, and it is an encrypted language for the dialogue between the subconscious and the conscious mind.
In the future context of virtual and real life, people are increasingly responding to various emotional states by "eating": eating sweets when stressed, ordering takeout when lonely, and repeatedly opening the snack drawer when bored. These behaviors seem to satisfy physiological needs, but in fact they are substitute responses to inner emotions. What is "eaten" is often not food, but the missing companionship, sense of security, meaning or love.
The aim is to reveal: When people long for a certain type of food, it might be expressing a need for a certain emotion; when there is an irrational urge to overeat, it might be an attempt to confront existential anxiety. In fact, appetite is the tactile extension of the emotional spectrum.
The organic shape design of the stomach in the collage work, along with the ingenious integration of plant root systems, are both presented in the form of sharp spikes. This is done to convey the hidden true emotions that are difficult to reach, while the external display presents a stark contrast of seeming healthiness.
The seed of this project first sprouted from a late-night self-observation. When I mindlessly opened the food delivery app for the umpteenth time after finishing my studies and mechanically chose high-oil and high-sugar "comfort foods", a question suddenly emerged: Why do I always long for specific foods at this time, even when I'm not hungry? This seemingly ordinary daily moment became the starting point of the entire project.
During the initial exploration phase, I fell into the trap of overgeneralizing the problem. My initial idea was to design another diet and health app, focusing on calorie counting and nutritional pairing. However, as the interviews went deeper, more people shared similar experiences - craving sweets when stressed, binge eating when lonely, and constantly snacking when bored. These stories pointed to a common thread: behind the eating behaviors lie unspoken emotional needs. Thus, the focus of the problem began to shift: what we truly need to design is not another calculation tool, but an "emotional decoding system".
The sketching phase was filled with trials and errors. The earliest concept sketches were completely off track - I filled them with all kinds of food databases and nutrition pyramids. It wasn't until a user interview when someone said, "I know fried chicken is not healthy, but at that moment what I needed was that satisfying feeling." This sentence made me throw away all the sketches based on "control" and "limitation” and start to rethink. The new sketches no longer emphasized right or wrong but focused on understanding: a visual system that could help people see the connection between appetite and emotion, and a set of interactive methods that could provide alternative satisfaction.
During the deepening design process, the greatest breakthrough came from interdisciplinary research inspiration. Neurological studies have shown that the desire for specific foods is closely related to the activities of the brain's reward circuit; psychological research has revealed the deep connection between emotional regulation and dietary behavior. These findings gradually clarified the design direction: We need to create an experience that enables users to intuitively see this connection and find healthier alternative paths. The lines on the sketches began to take on greater significance - the overlapping visualization of emotional timelines and diet records, recommendations for alternative activities based on emotional states, and feedback mechanisms that provide support rather than judgment...
The prototype testing phase was filled with surprises and challenges. The first paper prototype was embarrassingly crude - just a few hand-drawn emotion icons and food pictures combined. But even this rough prototype elicited astonishing resonance from the testers. "It's not just me" became the most frequently heard feedback, which verified the significance of the problem. As we iterated the prototype, we gradually found the most effective visual language: using gentle color gradients to represent the intensity of emotions, using smooth curves to connect dietary choices with emotional states, and using warm and non-judgmental copy to provide feedback.
Throughout the entire development process, the most valuable gain is the realization that truly good design is not about providing a standard answer, but about establishing a framework that enables users to find their own answers. When we stop telling people "what to do" and instead help them understand "why I think this way", the change truly begins to occur.
Looking back on this journey now, from that initial vague self-awareness to the current well-defined emotional decoding system, every step was built upon a deeper understanding of human nature. The greatest success of this project may not lie in solving any specific problem, but rather in helping people pose better questions - when we are once again confronted with the temptation of food, we will ask ourselves one more question: "What exactly do I truly desire?" This question is the most precious gift that the design offers to each user.
