Bento Design Style 🍱

Deciphering the widely recognized but elusive style we’ve all encountered proves perplexing. 😋🍱

What is this all about?

(Stephen Kelmen’s Bento Grid)

The bento design style, a simplicity many have encountered, involves creating a grid of rectangles and squares with softly rounded edges, offering an effortlessly appealing aesthetic. The term “bento” originates from the Japanese word お弁当 (O bentō), translating to “lunch” or “lunch box.” In Japanese culture, an obento represents a special kind of lunch, distinguished not only by its deliciousness but also by its healthiness and visually captivating presentation. Typically carried in lunch boxes known as “obento-bako,” the unique arrangement of food into sections further characterizes this cultural culinary tradition.

Japanese individuals often carry their obentos in these meticulously crafted lunch boxes, showcasing not only culinary artistry but also a cultural appreciation for the harmonious organization of meals.

Where have I seen this before?

The genesis of the bento box style is a subject of debate, with some attributing its inspiration to Apple’s promotional videos. In these videos, Apple showcased a grid view of specifications and features, presenting mundane details in an engaging manner through a diverse application of visuals and typography. A notable example can be observed in a recent Apple Mac promotional video, where this distinctive style is prominently featured.

Conversely, an alternative viewpoint suggests that Microsoft’s introduction of the Metro design language system during the unveiling of Windows Phone 7 could be the true origin. Regardless of the debate surrounding its inception, what remains indisputable is the widespread impact this design style has had on designers worldwide, catalyzing a surge of creativity in the realm of bento box-inspired designs.

Relevance?

(FlexFit Branding from Halo Lab)

(Bolt’s branding from Koto)

The Bento Design style emerges as a highly relevant and impactful approach in the realm of Visual Identity showcase, offering a distinctive mood board-like format that facilitates a comprehensive and efficient overview.

In the context of Visual Identity, the Bento Design style excels at presenting a diverse array of elements in a concise and visually appealing manner. This grid layout becomes a dynamic moldboard, allowing for the strategic placement of key brand components such as logos, color schemes, typography, and imagery. Each compartment within the design serves as a dedicated space to showcase different facets of the visual identity, enabling a quick and coherent assessment of the overall brand aesthetic.

The modular nature of the Bento Design style ensures that information is compartmentalized, offering a visual harmony that aids in conveying a brand’s essence at a glance. Whether utilized in digital interfaces, print materials, or presentations, this style lends itself well to conveying a brand’s personality, values, and key attributes in a succinct and memorable manner. As a result, the Bento Design style proves to be an invaluable tool for designers seeking to create visually compelling and easily digestible representations of a brand’s visual identity.

Where to find?

(BentoGrids)

For a rich source of inspiration and references, a conventional Pinterest search may suffice; however, I recommend delving into the dedicated platform “Bento Grids.” This site serves as a curated reference hub for innovative design work. Navigate through a collection of meticulously arranged grids at https://bentogrids.com/ to discover a plethora of thoughtfully crafted designs that exemplify the Bento Design style. Explore this specialized resource to uncover a diverse range of visuals that can fuel your creative endeavors and offer a deeper understanding of the nuanced applications within this unique design trend.

In Practise

(Bento)

Many individuals are familiar with Linktree, a popular choice for consolidating and sharing multiple links in one convenient place. It serves as a budget-friendly alternative for those without a dedicated website, offering a practical solution for link organization. However, within the market, there’s another compelling option called “Bento.me,” recently acquired by Linktree. Unlike Linktree, Bento.me goes beyond merely displaying links; it introduces Bento-themed grids that provide users with a sophisticated and visually appealing way to showcase a variety of content. This acquisition enriches the Linktree portfolio, offering users a more refined and versatile experience in creating their online presence.

Bento.me’s distinct feature of presenting information in elegant Bento-themed grids sets it apart as a compelling alternative to Linktree. This platform caters to those who seek more than just a basic link-sharing tool, offering a visually sophisticated solution that goes beyond the conventional. With its recent integration into the Linktree family, users now have the option to enhance their online presence with a unique and refined aesthetic, making Bento.me a noteworthy choice for individuals looking to showcase their content in a more elevated and visually appealing manner.

In conclusion, the Bento Design style emerges as a powerful and versatile approach in the realm of visual identity showcase. Inspired by traditional Japanese lunch box arrangements, its grid-based structure offers a dynamic moldboard format, allowing for the strategic placement of key brand components. Whether exploring on popular platforms like Pinterest or delving into the specialized curation at “Bento Grids” (https://bentogrids.com/), designers can find a wealth of inspiration and references. This design methodology, with its modular and compartmentalized nature, proves invaluable in conveying a brand’s essence succinctly and memorably. As a visual language, the Bento Design style enhances the efficiency of communication, making it a noteworthy and impactful tool for designers seeking to create engaging and cohesive visual identities.

Let’s Connect

Adri Mukund | Instagram | Linktree

Thanks for reading! Cheers 🥂