About
DSLK is a two-tier modular bento style lunch-box engineered for both premium aesthetics and functional everyday utility.
Contributions
Industrial Design, CAD modeling, Visualization
Tools
SolidWorks, Pro-create, Figma
Duration
1 week, 2026
User research
My target demographics were young adults that were focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The demographic of people who spend their money on lunch-boxes are often people who are living a healthy, responsible, planned lifestyle. Meal prepping itself takes a huge amount of effort, planning, and a lifestyle commitment that revolves around it.
Based on generic research, majority of these demographics are likely to be regular weightlifters, conscious of nutritional/ caloric intake and health, and are careful/ conscious spenders who purchase quality products over mass manufactured low cost products.
Market research
Competitive consumer market, ranging from mass manufactured to premium products.
The lunch-box's price ranged drastically depending on the product. However the premium price line formed around the price range of 40.00 - 60.00 USD. The lunchbox had to fit within those price ranges to realistically compete in the market.
Product research
Most lunch-boxes categorized into these 4 shapes below, often having overlapping features and pain-points.
Lunch-boxes aren't a new product, in fact the oldest lunch-box discovered is around 4000 years old. Despite having such a long history, modern day lunch-boxes still share the same pain-points and fail to meet the needs of users in many ways.
square
rectangular
circular
stacked
pain-point 01
Rectangular, circular, square lunch-boxes are difficult to carry in backpacks.
Unless having dedicated carrier bags, lunch-box designs that had wide containers were an immediate problem for casual commuters who were looking to lessen their load.
pain-point 02
Some containers were not suitable for re-heating the food, especially in microwaves.
Metal containers are not suitable for re-heating food, especially in common things like microwaves. These containers limit the culinary freedom of the users, and forces users to prep meals that are consumable without re-heating.
How might we
How can I design lunchboxes for healthy fit young adults balancing utility, performance, longevity, and relevance in a consumer-driven market?
As vague as this may sound, this “How might we...” question was used to I cater towards my specific demograph of users. I ideated hypotheticals features, pain-points they may come across, and how I can design a balanced product that the users will see as value.
Moodboard and references
Harmonizing industrial precision with a soft, inviting aesthetic.
The visual language of the DSLK is driven by the contrast between rugged protection and human-centric utility. By pairing the cold, precise nature of metallics with the approachable, calming tones of pastel silicone, the design elevates an everyday essential into a premium lifestyle object.
Design language; imagining CMF, form, and mood
Taking design inspiration from traditional lunch boxes and nutritionally fulfilling meal prep & diets.
Based on research, the healthy nutritionally accurate meals were formed of at least 4 different nutritional sources, protein, carbs, fats, and fibers. To fit all these ingredients, I chose a two-tier compartment design.
There was no need to re-invent the wheel, especially when designing for products that have existed for over a long period of time. I used old Korean lunch boxes as the starting blueprint, while improving quality of life details for the specific target users I was designing for.
Design and CAD modeling
I modeled the sketch in SolidWorks, carefully considering manufacturability of the designs, realistic tolerances based on materials selected.
CMF consideration, aluminum and silicone.
The outer shell is formed from 3000 series aluminum and hard-anodized, resulting in a highly durable, scratch-resistant, and dishwasher-safe exterior. Inside, premium food-grade silicone is utilized for its thermal resilience across extreme temperature changes and its dimensional memory, guaranteeing long-lasting leak-proof seals.
DFM consideration, aluminum outer-shell and silicone inner sleeve.
To optimize the outer metal shell for mass production, I designed the geometry specifically for the deep drawing process. The generous corner radii allow the material to stretch evenly without tearing, while a 1-degree draft angle along the walls ensures smooth, friction-free extraction from the forming punch.
The inner silicone sleeve was designed for optimal Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) injection molding. Concentric corner radius ensures a uniform wall thickness for curing, while a standard draft angle guarantees easy mold release. The exterior vertical ribs serve a dual purpose, acting as structural standoffs to maintain the critical 0.75mm thermal tolerance gap while allowing a frictionless drop in fit with the outer shell.
Final design
Introducing DSLK, a premium two-tier modular bento system lunch-box.
Designed for the modern commuters, the DSLK is a premium two-tier bento box that makes packing a lunch feel effortless. With a modular, two-tier system, the dslk combines a sleek, architectural metal exterior with a soft, food-safe interior to create a lunchbox that is as visually striking as it is highly functional.
Two-tier architecture that allows abundant room for nutritionally fulfilling meals and culinary freedom.
The stacked bento system features a high-capacity primary base and an indented lid to securely nest the top container. This physical separation prevents flavor mixing, accommodates optional sub-dividers, and maximizes internal volume without compromising the sleek, commute-friendly footprint.
Modular assembly design with excellent CMF choices to keep the containers functional and hygienic.
The lunchbox pairs a hard-anodized, deep-drawn aluminum shell with removable, food-grade silicone inserts. This drop-in dual-layer approach allows for safe microwaving, effortless dishwasher cleaning, and an ambient thermal gap to keep food warm.
Secure leak-proof double locking system through an air tight seal and button-locks.
A high-memory Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) gasket nests inside the lid to form a reliable, highly compressible barrier against liquids. This airtight seal is structurally reinforced by tactile mechanical button-locks integrated into the rigid metal exterior, ensuring the payload survives turbulent commutes.
Four different color options, all made to accommodate the dish.
Contrasting with the unified finish of the metal exterior, the modular silicone inserts are offered in four distinct color-ways. These soft hues are curated not just for personal expression, but to act as a visually appealing canvas that elevates the presentation of the meal inside.
Next steps
Retrospect and takeaways.
Moving forward, the project aims to further refine and expand its features to enhance accessibility and adaptability across various design environments. Integrating more advanced AI-driven tools and expanding with a broader audience.
The project underscored the importance of continuous feedback loops, embracing iterative design, and staying agile in adapting to user needs. Ultimately, Arctika serves as a testament to the power of combining AI with human creativity, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in design.
Role
Industrial Designer, CAD modeler, Visualizer
Year
1 week, Summer 2026
Work
Product Design, Strategy, Research
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