Cereal Code: Customizable Snack for a Healthy and Convenient Meal

Revolutionizing Snacking with a Vending Machine Concept

Cereal Code is not your average snack. It is a full meal designed for those in a hurry, offering the convenience of accessibility at any time of the day. The name itself, Cereal Code, is a clever combination of "cereal" and "code," representing the vending machine code that customers select to create their personalized snack. The possibilities are as endless as the options available in the vending machine.

The process of obtaining a Cereal Code is simple and interactive. Customers approach the vending machine and use the available touchscreen to begin the purchasing experience. They are prompted to select their desired dry ingredients, which are then stacked inside a box by the machine. The customer can customize their snack by choosing from a variety of cereals and toppings. The on-screen monitor guides them, ensuring they do not exceed the box's capacity, as space needs to be reserved for the milk or yogurt that will be added later. Once the dry ingredients are selected, the customer proceeds to choose a carton of milk or yogurt to complete their meal. The machine then stacks the carton on top of the box, creating a convenient carrying solution for a healthy and mess-free snacking experience.

The design of Cereal Code required careful consideration and innovation. One of the main challenges was developing a package that could accommodate the separate components of the meal. The designers successfully created two separate packages from a carton of milk, allowing for the customization of both the cereal and the milk/yogurt. The cereal/topping box measures 70mm x 70mm x 73mm, while the carton of milk/yogurt box measures 74mm x 74mm x 90mm. These dimensions ensure that the packages fit perfectly within the vending machine, which measures 980mm x 810mm x 1900mm.

The Cereal Code project started in January 2017 and was completed in April 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. It gained recognition and was published in the "International Yearbook Communication Design 2017/2018" in November 2017. The design team, consisting of Eunbi Yun, Jinsol Lee, and Hyeona Lee, dedicated extensive research to understand the needs of individuals in a hurry and the challenges they face in obtaining a healthy meal. By creating a customizable and convenient solution, Cereal Code aims to revolutionize snacking habits and promote a healthier lifestyle.

Cereal Code has received accolades for its innovative design. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Meta, Strategic, and Service Design category in 2019. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.