Hometown Flavor: A Taste of Yunnan in Every Bite

Changshu Institute of Technology Creates Award-Winning Rice Noodle Packaging

The Hometown Flavor project was born out of a desire to showcase Yunnan's multi-ethnic province and its unique eating styles. Rice noodles, a representative food of Yunnan, can be blended with any ingredient and cooking method to produce a different taste. The designers at Changshu Institute of Technology saw this as an opportunity to create a series of rice noodle products that not only taste good but also provide a visual representation of the region's ethnic diversity.

The packaging design uses Yunnan ethnic minority costumes as the main element, creating a visual connection between the food and the people who traditionally consume it. Each package features a different ethnic taste, allowing consumers to experience the rich cultural diversity of Yunnan through their taste buds. The packaging box is made of white card, using a lithography process, and a surface coating protects the pattern from scratching and moisture.

The design process was not without its challenges. The most significant was how to use vision to express taste. However, the designers overcame this by focusing on the cultural elements of Yunnan's ethnic minorities, using their traditional costumes as a visual representation of the different flavors of rice noodles.

The project started in March 2021 in Kunming and was completed in May 2021. It was an applied research project, with the designers studying local ethnic minority cultures through literature consultation, field research, interviews, and observations. The result is a packaging design that not only promotes local traditional food culture but also won the Silver A' Packaging Design Award in 2022, a testament to its creativity and innovation.

In conclusion, the Hometown Flavor project by Changshu Institute of Technology is a prime example of how design can be used to promote cultural diversity and traditional food culture. The project showcases the unique eating styles of Yunnan's ethnic minorities, providing a taste of the province's rich food culture in every bite. It is a testament to the power of design and its ability to connect people with different cultures and traditions.