MEAL PREP CONTAINER
Designing a modular, time-saving meal system for busy students and working professionals.
Modern routines demand speed, structure, and convenience, especially for students and working individuals who rely on meal prep to stay healthy without sacrificing sleep or time. Our Meal Prep Container system was designed as a practical solution to this daily challenge, reducing morning prep stress while keeping meals organized, portable, and ready when needed.
The design explores how modular storage, integrated heating technology, and intuitive organization can support real everyday behavior. Early research showed that people often rush in the morning, skip meals, or settle for unhealthy options because prepping a full lunch takes too long. Existing containers lacked heating capabilities, efficient compartment layout, or durable materials that survive daily use.
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Team Project: Paul Finklestein
Runner Up
Humber College - Industrial Design
Duration: 8 weeks
2025​
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Contributions:
Ideation + Refinements
Research + Development
Sketches
Renderings
Modelmaking
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In collaboration with:
BACKGROUND
Research & Insight Gathering
This project began with an investigation into how modern students, young professionals, and small families approach meal preparation in their daily routines. Research focused on existing food storage systems, meal-prep containers, and portable lunch solutions to understand where current products succeed and where they fall short. Brand analysis of Cuisipro revealed a strong emphasis on timeless design, material honesty, and functional clarity—prioritizing tools that feel refined, durable, and intuitive rather than overly technical or trend-driven.
User research highlighted a shift toward mindful, routine-based cooking driven by limited time, smaller living spaces, and a desire for healthier, more intentional eating habits. While meal prep is widely adopted, many users experience friction across the workflow—from preparing meals, to storing them efficiently, to transporting them throughout the week. These insights revealed an opportunity to design a cohesive system that connects preparation, storage, and portability into a single, organized experience aligned with Cuisipro’s design philosophy.
Key Pain Points
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Fragmented meal-prep workflows, requiring separate tools for prepping, storing, and carrying meals
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Storage inefficiency, caused by mismatched containers and bulky forms that clutter fridges and cabinets
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Cleanup fatigue, with too many parts, tight corners, and materials that stain or retain odors
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Over-complicated solutions, including unnecessary electronics or overly engineered features
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Lack of emotional connection, where containers feel purely utilitarian rather than calm, intentional, and enjoyable to use
Meal Prep & Storage Containers
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Bento-style lunch boxes
Effective for portioning and organization, but constrained by fixed layouts and limited portability. -
Stackable food storage containers (e.g., Joseph Joseph Nest)
Optimize cabinet storage, yet rarely support a complete prep-to-carry workflow. -
Meal prep container systems (e.g., Bentgo, FitPack)
Built for transport and portion control, but often bulky, disposable, or visually inexpensive.
Stackable Food Containers
Heated Lunch Solutions
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OXO Good Grips containers
Known for strong sealing and usability, but lack modular connectivity or system-level organization. -
Cuisipro storage and prep tools
Reviewed to understand the brand’s emphasis on refined stainless steel, silicone detailing, and clean, timeless forms.
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Electric heated lunch boxes and warming containers
Offer temperature control but introduce added bulk, electronics, charging requirements, and visual complexity that conflict with Cuisipro’s minimalist philosophy.
Early exploration tested a range of container forms and system layouts, initially leaning toward a purely utilitarian, function-first approach. While these concepts prioritized efficiency and modularity, they felt visually rigid and lacked the refinement expected from a Cuisipro product.
Further exploration drew inspiration from bento boxes and Japanese minimalist design, emphasizing simplicity, compact proportions, and visual calm. This shift led to a softer, more considered form language that balances functional clarity with a refined, everyday aesthetic.
Exploration
Final Design
Meal Prep Container
The final product is a modular meal-prep container system designed for Cuisipro that simplifies weekly meal preparation by unifying preparation, storage, and transport into a single, cohesive solution for everyday use.
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Inspired by bento boxes and minimalist kitchenware, the system emphasizes visual clarity, intuitive organization, and efficient use of space. Through modular stacking, integrated portability, and durable, food-safe materials, the design reduces clutter and friction while making meal prep and daily carry more effortless and structured.
Steamlined Meal Prep
The meal-prep container is designed to make food preparation faster and more intuitive by organizing each step into a clear, repeatable workflow. Thoughtful compartment sizing allows ingredients to be prepped, portioned, and stored without unnecessary transfers, reducing mess and setup time during cooking.
By keeping components accessible and visually organized, the system supports efficient batch preparation while maintaining a clean workspace. This approach minimizes friction during prep, allowing users to focus on cooking rather than managing multiple containers, tools, or surfaces.
Effortless Storage
The system is designed to store neatly and efficiently in the refrigerator, allowing multiple containers to stack cleanly without wasting space. Each module aligns consistently, creating a clear visual overview of meals prepared for the week and reducing the clutter typically caused by mismatched containers.
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With meals portioned and organized in advance, each container can be easily grabbed and taken on the go without repacking or reorganization. This makes it simple to prepare an entire week’s worth of meals ahead of time, turning daily decision-making into a quick, effortless routine.
Everyday Ready
The container system is built around a clean, minimal form that reduces visual noise while prioritizing everyday usability. Each component is intentionally designed to fit together seamlessly, making the system easy to understand, assemble, and clean without unnecessary parts or complexity.
An integrated heating plate allows meals to be gently reheated directly within the container, removing the need for transfers or additional dishes. By embedding this functionality into the system rather than treating it as an add-on, the design maintains a refined, uncluttered aesthetic while supporting warm meals throughout the day. The result is a solution that feels considered, practical, and unobtrusive—designed to support daily routines without drawing attention to itself.
Built for Real Routines
The integrated heating system is designed to warm meals in approximately 15 minutes, allowing food to be ready without relying on a microwave. This makes it easy to heat meals at a desk, in shared spaces, or on the go, removing the need to wait in line or interrupt a routine.
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By keeping the meal contained from prep to heating, the system preserves texture and temperature while minimizing mess and transfers. The result is a warm, satisfying meal that fits naturally into a busy day—ready when you are, without compromising convenience or quality.
Easy To Clean
All components are designed to be fully dishwasher safe, making cleanup quick and effortless after each use. Smooth internal surfaces and rounded corners prevent food from getting trapped, reducing the need for scrubbing or soaking.
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By minimizing seams and unnecessary parts, the system simplifies cleaning and drying while maintaining durability for daily use. This allows the container to move easily from meal to meal without lingering odors or buildup, keeping it ready for the next prep cycle.
The final system brings together preparation, storage, heating, and transport into a single, cohesive meal-prep solution designed for everyday use. By focusing on simplicity, modularity, and intuitive interaction, the design reduces friction across the entire routine, from cooking at home to enjoying a warm meal during the day.
