Designer: Sally Ng Location: San Francisco, California, USA Category: Design for Social Impact Award: Student Notable

Thrive Portion Ware

Thrive Portion Ware consists of a cup and set of plates designed to help reduce food intake by 20% and help people develop the habit of consciously eating less. Plate tips if food is placed on raised area. Words on back are seen when users approach dish rack.

I know obesity is a huge multifaceted issue that isn't going to have one nice neat solution. There isn't going to be one. I ran into many circles and much frustration focusing too much on a specific age group and its needs. I focused on children, teens, young adults, adults; cycling through each one repeatedly. At the end of it, the best approach was the simplest one, to remake a familiar object people can easily use. I did not want it to be a fad consumer object promising easy miracles, only to be abandoned a few months later once the novelty wore off. I want it to be a product used repeatedly and easily where it will eventually have a positive psychological effect on people's eating habits. Thrive Portion Ware works as a catalyst for that bigger change by helping people accustom to consuming less first.

Core77: What's the latest news or development with your project?

I am finishing up the patenting process and working on a website for the project.

What is 1 quick anecdote about your project?

I had to stand back and honestly ask myself if I would ever use it throughout the whole research and design process. 124981491251 hours and an x amount of critics later, the answer was yes.

Read on for full details on the project and jury comments.