Cuisino Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ukusekelwa Kwezinqumo Zokudla Okuyigeyimu by Yi Chen

Cuisino Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ukusekelwa Kwezinqumo Zokudla Okuyigeyimu by Yi Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award in Iselula Competition Category.

InsimbiIselula· 2026

Cuisino Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ukusekelwa Kwezinqumo Zokudla Okuyigeyimu

by Yi Chen

Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award Winner in Iselula Category

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The Design

About Cuisino Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ukusekelwa Kwezinqumo Zokudla Okuyigeyimu

Umbhalo Wencwadi: I-Cuisino iphinda icabange kabusha izinqumo zokudla njengomkhosi oyigeyimu, iguqula izinqumo ezijwayelekile zibe yizikhathi zenjabulo. Isebenzisa isayensi yokuziphatha kwengqondo kanye ne-UI edlalayo, inciphisa ukukhathala kokwenza izinqumo futhi inikeza abasebenzisi amandla okudla ngendlela enempilo ngaphandle kwengcindezi. Igqugquzelwa amageyimu ajwayelekile nezinhlelo zokusebenza zempilo enhle, i-interface iqondisa ukudla ngokuqaphela ngokusebenzisana okuncane, imiklomelo yenqubekelaphambili, kanye nohlelo lokubuka oluzolisa umqondo. Le nhlangano yenza ukudla okunempilo kube okuncane ngokuziqhelekanisa nangokuqondene kakhulu nokwakha umkhuba wenjabulo.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award

Cuisino Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ukusekelwa Kwezinqumo Zokudla Okuyigeyimu iwinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile okunikezwa imiklamo emihle ehlangabezana nezidingo zobungcweti nezemboni ezilindelekile ezimpahleni ezihlelwe kahle. Abawinile beNsimbi babonisa ikhono elikhulu, ubungcweti obuphezulu, ukuqonda kochwepheshe namandla okudala abadali babo. Cuisino Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ukusekelwa Kwezinqumo Zokudla Okuyigeyimu ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo nenezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu zemboni futhi unezimfanelo zobuchwepheshe ezifanelekile ezihlanganiswe nolwazi nethalente. Cuisino Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ukusekelwa Kwezinqumo Zokudla Okuyigeyimu iyahlonishwa ngenxa yokucophelela kwayo futhi ihlelelwe ukulethela izinguquko zomgangatho wempilo ezisiza ukwenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono.

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.