Inspired by metal tupperware and traditional Korean lunchboxes, Camera Eats First reimagines the container as a mobile camera, capturing the experience of a meal in real time. Documenting meals, whether alone or shared, tell stories of specific moments and memories. By capturing these experiences and publishing them as a digital collection, the camera preserves cherished memories brought to us by food—moments that might otherwise get lost in the endless scroll of a camera roll.
Website concept: cameraeatsfirst.cargo.site
Team: Vealy Lai
MIT 4.031 Objects and Interaction
Website concept: cameraeatsfirst.cargo.site
Team: Vealy Lai
MIT 4.031 Objects and Interaction
Inspiration
Lastly, I explored how metal, timeless and durable, is used in contemporary home and product design. This research allowed me to reinterpret the classic metal lunchbox into a more abstract, modern form.
The project concept and design are informed by three key aspects. First is the idea of the 0.5x zoom perspective—often used to zoom out and capture not just a subject (often the self), but also the surrounding environment. Similarly, our experiences with food extend beyond the dish itself. The lively, casual atmosphere of a street market or the warmth of a dinner party with loved ones are instances on how ambience plays a crucial role. Food photography, in turn, often seeks to capture both the food and the feeling around it.
Second, a food photography camera must be portable—capable of adapting to a range of settings. Thinking about how food is most commonly transported led me to tupperware, and from there, to dorsirak: traditional Korean packed lunches typically stored in sturdy metal containers. Rooted in my heritage, this reference merges function and nostalgia.
Lastly, I explored how metal, timeless and durable, is used in contemporary home and product design. This research allowed me to reinterpret the classic metal lunchbox into a more abstract, modern form.
When the user opens the camera, it immediately begins recording. As they enjoy their meal, the camera captures the experience in real time. Once the meal is finished and the camera is closed, the recording stops. The device then processes the footage, selecting five incremental stills from the timeline. These are merged into a single composite image that capture the movement and energy of the meal.
This image is automatically uploaded to the user’s personal website, where they can record a text description to preserve the memory. Over time, the growing collection of recordings allows the user to revisit and reflect on their meaningful experiences centered around food.