Cuisino Primary Function: Chithandizo cha Zosankha za Chakudya mu Njira ya Masewera by Yi Chen

Cuisino Primary Function: Chithandizo cha Zosankha za Chakudya mu Njira ya Masewera by Yi Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mphoto ya Chitsulo ya A' Design Award in Mapangidwe a Ukadaulo wa Foni, Mapulogalamu ndi Mapulogalamu a Foni Competition Category.

ChitsuloFoni· 2026

Cuisino Primary Function: Chithandizo cha Zosankha za Chakudya mu Njira ya Masewera

by Yi Chen

Mphoto ya Chitsulo ya A' Design Award Winner in Foni Category

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The Design

About Cuisino Primary Function: Chithandizo cha Zosankha za Chakudya mu Njira ya Masewera

Book Text: Cuisino ikupanganso zosankha za chakudya ngati mwambo wa masewera, kusintha zosankha za tsiku ndi tsiku kukhala nthawi za chisangalalo. Pogwiritsa ntchito maganizo a machitidwe a anthu ndi UI yosangalatsa, imachepetsa kutopa kwa kusankha ndipo imathandiza ogwiritsa ntchito kudya zathanzi popanda nkhawa. Yodzoza ndi masewera osavuta ndi ma app a thanzi, chithunzichi chimatsogolera kudya moganizira kudzera mu zochita zazing'ono, mphotho za kupita patsogolo, ndi njira yowoneka yopumitsa. Zochitikazi zimapangitsa kudya kwathanzi kukhala kosati za chilango koma kupanga chizolowezi chosangalatsa.

The Recognition

About the Mphoto ya Chitsulo ya A' Design Award

Cuisino Primary Function: Chithandizo cha Zosankha za Chakudya mu Njira ya Masewera ndi mmodzi mwa opambana a Mphoto ya Chitsulo ya A' Design Award, kuzindikirika kolemekezeka komwe kumaperekedwa kwa mapangidwe abwino omwe amakwaniritsa zofunika za akatswiri ndi za makampani zomwe zimayembekezeka kuchokera ku zolengedwa zopangidwa bwino. Opambana a Chitsulo amaonetsa luso lalikulu, ukatswiri wapamwamba, kumvetsetsa kwa akatswiri ndi mphamvu yolenga ya opanga awo. Cuisino Primary Function: Chithandizo cha Zosankha za Chakudya mu Njira ya Masewera akuyembekezeka kukhala cholengedwa choyamikiridwa kwambiri, chosirira ndi chokondedwa chomwe ndi chothandiza ndi chatsopano. Mapangidwe opambana Mphoto ya Chitsulo ya A' Design Award awa amaphatikiza machitidwe abwino kwambiri a makampani ndipo ali ndi makhalidwe a ukadaulo oyenerera olumikizidwa ndi chidziwitso ndi luso. Cuisino Primary Function: Chithandizo cha Zosankha za Chakudya mu Njira ya Masewera amalemekezedwa chifukwa cha kusamala kwake ndipo anapangidwa kuti apereke kukonza kwa moyo kumene kumathandiza kusandutsa dziko kukhala malo abwino.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Cuisino transforms everyday food choices into a delightful, gamified ritual. By combining behavioral psychology with playful UI, it reduces decision fatigue and empowers users to make healthy choices without stress. Each interaction feels like a mini-game, turning anxiety into agency.
Dimensions & Packaging: Cuisino is a non-physical digital design project. The prototype consists of 5 main experience flows with modular components and was built in 1920×1080 and 375×812 px formats. It includes mobile-first wireframes, user journey animations, and a set of customizable onboarding and decision-making modules.
Tags: food decision, playful UX, gamified onboarding, ritual design, digital wellbeing, health habit, casual interface, behavior design, meal planning, emotional interface
Production Technology: Cuisino was realized using a combination of Figma, XD, Illustrator, and After Effects. The design process emphasized visual storytelling, modular components, and interactive mockups. UI animations were prototyped to simulate a casino-inspired experience, with gradient transitions, randomized elements, and playful micro-interactions. The final assets were exported for responsive screen sizes and optimized for both pitch decks and demo presentations.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was balancing delight with depth—how to ensure user agency while gently guiding behavior. Visually, it was difficult to simulate randomness without overwhelming users. Conceptually, the hardest part was resisting utilitarian UX patterns and instead designing for emotion, play, and imperfection—qualities often neglected in food or wellness apps.
Research: This design began as speculative UX research into how decision fatigue affects food habits in urban environments. Methods included desk research, self-tracking experiments, and behavioral mapping of casual food apps. Tools used were Figma, Notion, and visual diarying. Key insights: most food apps overload users with options and assume strong intrinsic motivation. Cuisino rethinks this by embedding habit into gamified rituals, making healthy choices fun, not forced.
Inspiration: Cuisino was inspired by the overwhelming feeling of choice in urban food culture. As a designer living in New York, I saw how indecision and anxiety affected meal planning. By borrowing mechanics from casinos and mobile games, I aimed to create a joyful and structured decision ritual.
Project Duration: The project was initiated during Covid19 in New York City and completed in June 2025. The design was developed independently as a speculative yet functional UX concept and presented via digital channels.
Operation Flow: Users begin by selecting a goal or mood, then receive dynamic suggestions through playful modules like spin wheels, quick picks, and progress meters. Gamified cards and micro-interactions reduce choice fatigue while reinforcing healthy routines. The experience blends randomness with structure, encouraging consistent use while maintaining delight.
Patents: Patent pending.
Copyrights belong to Yi Chen, 2025.
Team Members: Designer: Yi Chen
Image Credits: Image #1: Designer Yi Chen, Cuisino, 2025.