Unit 1 Outcome 3 | assessment task | Published: September 22, 2023 | Revised: December 10, 2025
Design’s influence & influences on design.
What influences design, and what
does design influence?
This task is from the field of Object design.
By examining the historical influences and social impact of the Bento box, we can use this knowledge to inform our own design process for creating a Bento box that meets a specific brief. As designers, our focus should be on designing for the future, which necessitates embracing sustainable practices. Drawing inspiration from Mondrian's work, we will explore a variety of methods, media, and materials to develop our concepts. Additionally, we will utilise documentation drawings to effectively communicate and present our concepts in response to the given brief.
outcome
What students need to do
ON COMPLETION OF THIS UNIT THE STUDENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO
-
develop a sustainable object, considering design’s influence and factors that influence design.
(VCE VCD Study Design 2024 – 28 p.24. )
Brief
What I am designing
Mondrian-inspired Bento Boxes for NGV Café
The National Gallery Victoria (NGV) Café aims to align with the Mondrian exhibition by offering Bento boxes that reflect the artist's work. The designs should incorporate evidence of sustainable and circular design principles.
Audience
The Bento boxes will be catering to a broad audience visiting the gallery, ranging from teenagers to the elderly. They will have an interest in art history and enjoy Japanese food.
Purpose and function
The Bento boxes are to contain Japanese-style lunches, act as plates and to promote the Mondrian exhibition held at the VGV.
Context
The Bento boxes will be prominently displayed in the main food cabinet and featured on the NGV website.
Constraints and expectations
- Reflect the style of Mondrian's Painting
- The Bento box designs must incorporate elements inspired by Mondrian's artwork, such as colour blocking, bold lines, and abstraction
- Designs should prominently feature geometric shapes to evoke Mondrian's style and visual language
- Designs should maintain a balance between artistic expression and functional usability
- The Bento boxes should not exceed dimensions of 300 mm x 250 mm x 100 mm, to ensure practicality and ease of use
- The chosen materials should be suitable for food contact and easy to clean
- Consideration should be given to cost-effective production and mass manufacturing feasibility
- Designs should be innovative, visually striking, and capable of creating a memorable dining experience for visitors.
Presentation format
The design must be presented in both two and three-dimensional documentation drawings. These drawings should effectively communicate the design concept and apply the relevant technical conventions. Suggestions for two and three-dimensional documentation drawings include a Third Angle Orthogonal and a rendered Isometric or Perspective drawing.
Model answer
A presentation showing the Bento Box inspired by the paintings of Piet Mondrian. This presentation has brought together two documentation drawings—one in two and the other in three dimensions.
A presentation drawing with two documentation drawings together.
VCD Design process
The VCD design process is a framework that illustrates the process designers use. It is based on a model conceived by the UK Design Council in 2003. There are four stages to the VCD double diamond design process. Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver. Each uses different kinds of thinking. Sometimes designers need to think outside the box. Thinking outwards is called Divergent Thinking. At other times, they are trying to narrow and refine their ideas. This is called Convergent Thinking. The Design Process structures everything a designer does, from generating their first inspiration to delivering a design solution to their client.
Areas of study in Target Learning VCD emphasise different stages of the VCD Design process.
The VCD double diamond design process. Note the positions of Divergent and Convergent thinking.
Discover
Use Divergent Thinking to challenge assumptions and explore design problems and opportunities.
Define
Use Convergent Thinking to analyse, evaluate and present information for Human-Centred design.
Develop
Use Divergent Thinking to challenge assumptions, test and explore ideas with unexpected results.
Deliver
Use Convergent Thinking to evaluate, refine, resolve and present design solutions to meet audiences and users' needs.
Graphic indicators representing each stage of the design process used in Target Learning VCD.
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RESEARCH AND ANALYSE
key skills
How I will demonstrate skills and knowledge
key Skills points for this outcome
- research and analyse past and present influences on design
- research and analyse the influence of design in past and present contexts
(VCE VCD Study Design 2024-28, p. 25)
Discover
Use Divergent Thinking to challenge assumptions and explore design problems and opportunities.
WHAT IS A BENTO BOX?
A traditional Japanese lunch served in a bento box. (image: wong-yu-liang@shutterstock.com)
How has Japanese history and culture influenced the bento box?
Design is a product of its social and cultural context. The bento box demonstrates that design is directly shaped by the attitudes, values and behaviours of the society where designers live. Let’s examine how life in Japan has influenced the design of the bento box.
Japanese society is deeply organised and efficient in every way. Its history and culture have played a significant role in shaping the design and evolution of the bento box, a compartmentalised lunchbox typically used to carry a single-serving meal. The bento box has a rich history that reflects various aspects of Japanese society, aesthetics, and culinary traditions.
The bento concept can be traced back to ancient Japan, rooted in the Kamakura period (1185–1333). During this time, people would carry cooked and dried rice wrapped in leaves, bamboo, or paper as a portable meal. The practicality of this design, which allowed for easy transport and consumption, influenced the development of the bento box's compartmentalised structure.
Eastern spirituality, Zen Buddhism, which emphasises simplicity and mindfulness, has greatly influenced Japanese culture and design. The minimalistic and orderly food arrangement within a bento box aligns with Zen principles, creating a sense of harmony and balance. Japanese minimalism places a strong emphasis on simplicity and the elimination of unnecessary elements. This is reflected in the design of the bento box, which is typically a simple, compact container. Bento boxes are usually made from plain materials like wood, plastic, or metal and have clean, uncluttered lines.
Japanese culture strongly emphasises aesthetics and the visual presentation of food. Bento boxes are designed to present the food in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Ingredients are often carefully arranged in the compartments to create a harmonious display. This reflects the Japanese concept of 'wabi-sabi,' which appreciates the beauty of imperfection and simplicity.
Japanese cuisine also strongly emphasises seasonality and regional ingredients. Bento boxes often demonstrate these principles by incorporating seasonal fruits, vegetables, and meats. For example, a springtime bento might feature cherry blossoms, while a coastal region's bento might include fresh seafood.
Kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese meal, is a high-class restaurant experience. It is often served at tea ceremonies and upscale restaurants. Bento boxes can be seen as a simplified version of kaiseki, focusing on presenting a variety of flavours, textures, and colours in a compact and aesthetically pleasing manner. This influence can be seen in carefully arranging different components within the bento box.
Eki-ben (Eki = railway station) are bento boxes sold at train stations in Japan. They reflect the fast-paced and efficient lifestyle of commuters and are designed to make eating easy while travelling. Each compartment contains a different dish, catering to the need for convenience and variety on the go.
Traditional bento boxes are often made from natural materials such as wood, bamboo, or Urushi (Japanese-painted lacquerware). This choice of materials aligns with the Japanese cultural preference for using natural, sustainable resources. In keeping with Japanese environmental consciousness, many bento boxes are designed to be reusable and eco-friendly. This aligns with the Japanese cultural value of minimising waste and being environmentally responsible.
Bento boxes are deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, and their design reflects cultural values such as frugality and respect for food. Preparing and arranging a bento is a form of self-expression and care for others, and this is reflected in the thoughtful design of the box.
As Japan modernised and urbanised in the second half of the Twentieth Century, the design of bento boxes evolved to meet the demands of busy city life. Bento boxes became a practical way to pack a nutritious and balanced meal for school or work, and they often include compartments for different types of dishes, such as rice, protein, vegetables, and pickles.
We now have a good idea of how society and culture influenced the invention and development of the bento box. However, those two factors are not the only forces that make it a successful culinary tool. Economy, technology and the environment each play a role in the evolution of the bento box. You will explore this in the task below. To find out more about the factors that influence design decisions, you can click the link below.
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Factors influence design
Two containers for drinking sake (Japanese rice wine). The one on the left is a wooden box with dovetail joints, the one on the right is a ceramic cup.
A simple Urushi (Japanese lacquer ware) set of boxes.
The Japanese formal ‘Kieseki’ style of food presentation and eating. (Image: mapo-japan@shutterstock.com)
We can also find out about bento boxes by exploring the resources below:
Click the image to visit Coto academy.
Click the image to visit the history of the bento box.
What is a Japanese bento anyway?
How CAN design influence our ideas and behaviour?
The second notion we need to explore in this assessment task is how design can influence our ideas and behaviour. We have already seen how Japanese culture shaped the practice of carrying and eating food from a bento box, so now we turn to how this device can improve our eating habits and prevent waste by using its environmentally sustainable packaging methods. Bento boxes have a significant influence on the ways we eat, impacting various aspects of our eating and dietary habits.
Bento boxes are designed with compartments of varying sizes, encouraging careful portion control. This design helps individuals manage their food intake and avoid overeating. For example, a small compartment may contain rice or grains, while larger compartments can hold vegetables, protein, and sides. They are also designed to include a variety of food groups in one meal. This promotes balanced nutrition by ensuring that a meal includes proteins, vegetables, carbohydrates, and sometimes even fruits. Bento boxes help reduce food waste as they are typically designed to hold specific portions of food. This can motivate people to eat the right amount of food, resulting in less food waste. Furthermore, eating from a bento box can promote mindful eating practices. The segmented compartments encourage people to savour each part of the meal, promoting mindfulness and a greater appreciation for the flavours and textures of their food.
Bento boxes are known for their aesthetically pleasing presentation. People often take extra care to arrange their food in an attractive manner in the compartments. This emphasis on presentation can make the meal more enjoyable. By contrast, sandwiches and burgers are typically served more casually and utilitarianly. While they can look okay, they are not usually arranged with the same level of artistic detail as bento boxes.
Bento boxes are also highly portable and convenient. This encourages people to bring homemade meals to work or school, reducing their reliance on fast food or unhealthy takeout options. Sandwiches and burgers are often eaten with the hands and consumed quickly, especially when on the go. This eating style can be rushed and less focused on the presentation and digestion of food.
Bento boxes are highly customisable, allowing individuals to tailor their meals to their dietary preferences, restrictions, or allergies. This customisation empowers people to make healthier choices and accommodate specific dietary needs. However, preparing a bento box requires planning and preparation. This can encourage individuals to think ahead about their meals, which can lead to healthier eating choices and reduced reliance on convenience foods.
task
Show I know ...
1.1 Culture influences design
1.2 Research
Direct research
Create an A3 page for your research. Using the resources above and your own independent research, explore Bento boxes. Collect at least five images of bento boxes from the past and present. Reference the sources beside the images.
Research how the bento box concept is influenced by society
Create a second A3 page for research on the concept of divisions and divided containers. Brainstorm how many things in life are organised by divisions or compartments. Create a mind map or an annotated diagram with visuals to show how humans love to organise things with divisions or compartments.
1.3 Making connections
Use Hexagonal thinking to explore the factors that influence the design of a Bento Box. Students can record their ideas, questions or facts on hexagonal tiles and arrange them so that related tiles are next to each other and create further connections. This activity would be suitable for a collaborative class activity.
Alternatively, some of the hexagons are labelled with the following factors that influence design and students research and discuss how the factors are connected through the use of the hexagons.
- Culture – (starting with; Japanese)
- Social – (starting with; sharing and picnics)
- Economic – (starting with; consumer demand)
- Technological – (starting with; changes over time due to new technologies)
- Environmental – (starting with; reusable)
More information on hexagonal thinking as well as free printable templates can be found here.
1.4 How design influences behaviour
Read the section above on how design influences our ideas and behaviour. Make an annotated diagram to illustrate how bento boxes have changed in the ways they promote healthy eating and sustainable food packaging habits. You may need to do some additional research for this task. Some prompt questions that might be included are:
- How did the Bento box impact human behaviour when it was invented?
- What impact does it have on human behaviour now?
- How has the Bento box played a role in the engagement among people?
- How does the Bento box consider the needs of the intended audience?
- Provide past and present examples in your diagram.
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What about this Mondrian?
The brief calls for use students to design a bento box using Design Elements and Principles that are inspired by the artist Piet Mondrian. We need now to turn our attention to the paintings he created in De Stijl (The Style, and the name given to the movement to which he belonged). Take a look at the following videos. They will give you a great introduction to Mondrian’s work and his unique contribution to the history of art. With this understanding, you will be able to design appropriately for the brief.
Piet Mondrian (1872 – 1944) was a Dutch artist who pioneered abstract art. He is famous for making compositions with shapes, lines and colours. Take a look at the following paintings by Mondrian, as an influence for the use of the Design Elements and Principles.
- Tableau 1, 1921
- Composition in Red, Blue and Yellow, 1930
- New York City 1, 1942
- Broadway Boogie Woogie, 1942
Now take a look at the videos below:
Piet Mondrian's Artistic Evolution
Piet Mondrian – 'Abstract Painting as We Know It' | TateShots
This Mondrian painting is actually a jazz score | Jason Moran | MoMA BBC | THE WAY I SEE IT
task
Show I know ...
1.5 Mondrian paintings
Watch the videos above and learn about De Stijl and geometric abstraction. Collect several images of Mondrian’s paintings and place them on an A3 page. Don’t forget to record the title, the date painted and reference where you found it.
1.6 Describe Mondrian paintings
Annotate your selected artworks referring to the Design Elements and Principles. In addition, explore these three questions;
- How is the work of Mondrian still relevant?
- How does the limited triadic colour scheme and geometric shapes affect the design?
- How does pattern, contrast and balance affect the work?
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SUSTAINABLE DEsign
In this section, students will engage in rapid drawing exercises to visualize their design ideas for Mondrian-inspired Bento boxes. They will explore how circular design practices and sustainability principles can be applied to their concepts, experimenting with various methods, media, and materials. By combining creativity with environmental consciousness, students will develop innovative and sustainable designs for their Bento boxes, fostering a deeper understanding of the intersection between design and responsible practices.
key skills
How I will demonstrate skills and knowledge
key Skills points for this outcome
- select and use appropriate manual and/or digital methods, media and materials to represent and render forms
- select appropriate design elements and principles when developing a sustainable object
- adopt circular design practices during the Develop and Deliver stages of the VCD design process
- annotate design ideas and concepts using design terminology
(VCE VCD Study Design 2024-28, p. 25)
Develop
Use Divergent Thinking to challenge assumptions, test and explore ideas with unexpected results.
RAPID IDEA GENERATION
DRAWING
low-fidelity prototype
Students use whatever materials are available for their low-fidelity prototype. Paper, card, masking tape and glue sticks are excellent to test a design idea. This is also a great time for students to share it with their peers for feedback before they move into your documentation drawings.
Ideas generation drawings exploring a range of approaches to the boxes, lines and lids.
Constructing a low-fi prototype from foam-core board and coloured papers.
A Year 11 student at work on a prototype.
A Year 11 student at work on a prototype.
ANNOTATING
Annotations throughout the Develop stage need to explain students’ design decisions in relation to the brief as well as discuss their application of the Design Elements and Principles. They also need to evaluate how well they are eliminating waste and pollution and how their use of materials and manufacturing processes can help circulate products and materials and regenerate in nature.
Developing the lines into 3D with Illustrator.
The low-fi prototype confirmed that expressing the lines might look better for this design. Here, it is being developed with 3D and Extrude and Bevel in Illustrator.
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Methods Media & Materials
Design Elements
Design Principles
Circular Design Practices
task
Show I know ...
2.1 Visualise ideas
Use ideation sketches to rapidly generate a couple of pages of Mondrian-inspired ideas for your bento box.
2.2 Development
Create a new A3 page and select one or two of your potential design ideas to continue with development drawings that explore various media.
2.3 Annotations
2.4 Low-fidelity prototype
2.5 Pitch
Write a short informal pitch (three to four sentences) to your client, the NGV director, to justify your choice of sustainable materials and the circular process that could be applied to your bento box design.
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DOCUMENTATION DRAWINGS
During this stage, students will create comprehensive two- and three-dimensional documentation drawings that adhere to technical conventions. These drawings will include all the necessary information for assembly and showcase the students’ design development in response to the given brief. Students will demonstrate their attention to detail and ability to communicate their design ideas effectively, ensuring a clear and concise representation of their final concept.
key skills
How I will demonstrate skills and knowledge
key Skills points for this outcome
- apply two-dimensional drawing methods, such as technical flats or third-angle orthogonal projections, to depict objects from multiple views
- apply three-dimensional drawing methods, such as isometric or perspective drawing, to represent the form and structure of objects
- apply appropriate technical drawing conventions to documentation drawings
(VCE VCD Study Design 2024-28, p. 25)
Deliver
Use Convergent Thinking to evaluate, refine, resolve and present design solutions to meet audiences and users' needs.
two-dimensional drawing
ORTHOGONAL DRAWING
A Third Angle Orthogonal drawing of the bento box shown on this page. Note the scale of 1:2.
THREE DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS
Isometric
This isometric framework was made by copying the Top View from the orthogonal drawing and then transforming it into an isometric projection using an isometric transformation loaded into the actions palette of Adobe Illustrator.
Here is the completed trace of the framework shown below. Don't forget to trace your lines as shapes so you can fill them. These are filled white then the layers are arranged to block out unwanted areas.
Rendering
A presentation drawing for a client should be a rendered three-dimensional illustration. This kind of drawing should show the materials and surfaces of the product and how it acts in light and shade. Students will take their isometric drawing and render it with coloured pencils to create a presentation drawing. They should remember to think about where their light source is coming from when they render their drawing and include all cast shadows. Press the link below, to find out more about rendering.
This close-up shows the technique that was used to create the shadows. The red lines are on a separate layer that can be switched off in the final drawing.
Here is the completed rendering of the isometric drawing. Simple fills, one gradient and shadows bring it to life.
Extension exercise
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Third Angle Orthgonal
Isometric
Scale
Rendering
task
Show I know ...
3.1 Orthogonal Drawing
Complete a manual or digital orthogonal drawing of your Bento box, using the low fidelity prototype to assist you. Remember to apply the appropriate technical drawing conventions, including labels and the Third Angle Orthogonal symbol. Include dimensions, following the appropriate technical drawing conventions.
3.2 Isometric drawing
Complete a manual isometric drawing of your Bento Box to scale. Depending on the size of your Bento box your drawing will be scaled 1:1 or 1:2.
Extension exercise
Translate your manual isometric drawing to a vector-based drawing method using the same scale.
3.3 Rendering
Render your isometric drawing using a clearly shown light source and include cast shadows on the object and ground as well as tone and texture of the materials it would be made from.
Extension exercise
Using the same vector-based isometric drawing, render it digitally.
3.4 Moving to CAD
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assessment criteria
Below is a broad indication of the evidence a student should show.
Click here to purchase a complete assessment rubric for this task.
The extent to which the student:
- researches and analyses past and present influences on design as well as the influence of design in past and present contexts.
- uses of manual and/or digital, two and three-dimensional methods, media and materials to visualise a range of ideas
- applies and annotates the use of design elements and principles when developing concepts
- documents their use of sustainable design and circular design practices
- applies two-dimensional drawing methods, such as third-angle orthogonal projections, to depict objects from multiple views using appropriate technical drawing conventions in documentation drawings
- applies three-dimensional drawing methods, such as isometric or perspective drawing, to represent the form and structure of objects using appropriate technical drawing conventions in documentation drawings
Please note: To achieve good marks in criteria-based assessment, you must include some work for each part of the task. Spread your time evenly across the tasks.