Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 463,222 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,245 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,968 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,245 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,968 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,215 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 463,222 cutting edge ideas.

Form Over Food

Creative lunches as an example of turning ordinary items into art

Implications - “Form over function” is the new slogan for culinary culture. Instead of opting for disposable containers, consumers are seeking creative ways to make homemade lunches exciting. Bentos and upscale lunch boxes are a burgeoning industry as Japanese culinary influences go viral.
Trend Themes
1. Upscale Lunch Boxes - Consumers are seeking creative ways to make homemade lunches exciting with the use of Bentos and upscale lunch boxes.
2. Food Art - The trend of creating intricate and artistic designs with food continues to grow, from Bento box art to sandwich art.
3. Hidden Lunch Boxes - With the Laptop Lunch, adults can carry a hidden bento box in a thermal laptop bag, complete with recipes and multiple compartments.
Industry Implications
1. Food Packaging Industry - The demand for more innovative and creative food packaging options has led to the growth of the upscale lunch box industry.
2. Food Art Industry - As food art becomes more popular, there is an opportunity for artists and entrepreneurs to create new products and services that cater to this trend.
3. Workplace Culture Industry - As people seek to hide their lunch boxes from coworkers, there is an opportunity for companies to create new products that address this need in the workplace.
4.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
6 Featured, 25 Examples:
953,715 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Mar 09 — Oct 09
Trending:
Warm

Featured Examples

Intricate Sandwich Art
Intricate Sandwich Art
Funky Lunch Depicts the Western Version of the Bento Box
I remember throwing away my lunches as a little girl; I hated sandwiches, they were boring and not fun to eat… but if I’d had sandwich art like the stuff featured on FunkyLunch.com, I’m pretty sure I would… MORE
Gamer-Centric Sushi
Gamer-Centric Sushi
Laura Bento Creates Xbox Controller Bento Box
Laura Bento created this Xbox controller Bento Box for her husband, who is an avid video gamer. The tribute to Xbox 360 features white rice to create the shape of the controller with colorful and yummy… MORE
Bento Box Bling
Bento Box Bling
Carolyn Tille Creates Sushi Jewelry for Japanese Food Addicts
Imagine coming across someone with bento box jewelry covering their body from head to toe. These miniature creations were made by Carolyn Tille and embrace the extreme love for sushi some people have.… MORE
Family Bonding Through Bento
Family Bonding Through Bento
In Japan, 'Bento Day' Lets Kids Learn to Make Healthy Lunches
On the school-mandated 'Bento Day,' Japanese students are learning how to prepare balanced bento box lunches on their own. The segmented lunch boxes are meant to keep portions of food (typically leftovers)… MORE
Artistic Lunch Landscapes
Artistic Lunch Landscapes
Sakurako Kitsa's Bento Works of Art
It is great at last to be able to post about a specific bento artist and not speak in general terms. In this case, it’s Sakurako Kitsa, who is thought to be one of the best bento artists in the world.… MORE
Disguised Bento Boxes
Disguised Bento Boxes
The Laptop Lunch Hides Your Meal from Hungry Coworkers
Carrying a lunch box can be embarrassing, especially if you’re a grown man or woman. The Laptop Lunch is a hidden bento box that comes in a thermal laptop bag. The kit not only has an inside pocket for… MORE