It began with a simple frustration: packing too many dining tools on a camping trip. But for designer Bangzishu Huang, that moment sparked something larger—a vision of how design could reduce clutter, lighten life, and serve both people and the planet. FlexiBowl, his award-winning modular dining set, integrates a bowl, plate, cup, and hidden utensils into one collapsible form. The result? A minimalist yet deeply functional product that challenges how we think about convenience, need, and sustainability.
Awarded the Gold Prize for Best Sustainable Healthcare Innovation and the Silver Prize for Best Consumer & Lifestyle Product at the 2025 World Front Design Award, FlexiBowl is more than a clever object—it’s a mindset. It reflects a growing awareness among young designers that the products we use should do more with less, and that simplicity, when done right, doesn’t sacrifice beauty or purpose.
What sets this design apart is not just its form, but its philosophy. Huang doesn’t view minimalism as an aesthetic trend, but as a way of thinking: to remove the unnecessary so what remains can be clear, intuitive, and meaningful. Balancing function, user experience, and visual harmony was no easy task—it involved countless iterations, careful color selection, and late nights of testing. But through that process, FlexiBowl evolved into something greater than the sum of its parts.
“From a spark of inconvenience to a solution that invites less waste, more flexibility, and quiet joy—FlexiBowl shows how design, at its best, simplifies without diminishing.”
Full Interview
1. What inspired the creation of FlexiBowl? Was there a particular lifestyle shift, travel experience, or user insight that sparked the concept?
I used to go camping, and I found that carrying all the separate dining equipment was a huge inconvenience. This made me search for lightweight, all-in-one dining equipment. Then, I came across collapsible travel bowls. That’s when something clicked—I thought, why not combine the three main dining tools (a bowl, plate, and cup) into a single, adjustable product? That idea became the starting point for FlexiBowl. As I continued developing and designing the concept, I added the hidden compartment that could function as both utensils and a handle. The design kept evolving from that original spark.
2. The design of FlexiBowl integrates multiple dining tools into one modular product. How did you approach the balance between function, simplicity, and visual appeal?
I approached the balance between function, simplicity, and visual appeal through a lot of trial and error. I started by focusing on the function of FlexiBowl. As I began designing, I wanted to make sure that FlexiBowl would perform as intended. Once it was able to do that, I decided to shift my attention to simplifying the user experience. This phase was pretty challenging as a lot of ideas that seemed simple for the user ended up compromising the functionality of the product. There was a lot of back and forth on testing different forms and concepts for FlexiBowl. Finally after finding the right balance between function and simplicity, I turned to the visual aspect. I chose soft, light colors to make FlexiBowl feel calm and blend naturally into various environments. The colors are also very soothing to the human eye and makes you feel relaxed. Achieving that balance wasn’t easy, but continuous testing and iteration helped me get there.
3. FlexiBowl is described as minimalist, yet it carries a lot of purpose and thought. What is your own definition of “minimalism” in design?
I don’t think there’s a single, fixed definition of “minimalism” in design because it can take many forms. Design is very open and expressive. There are no limits on what can be created, as your imagination has no bounds. Every designer interprets minimalism differently, and each design can express it in its own unique way. To me, if I had to give “minimalism” a definition, it means creating designs that are simple and intuitive for the user, while still retaining their core function. A minimalist design should also communicate its purpose clearly through its visual language, without unnecessary complexity.
4. FlexiBowl already shows professional-level foresight. How do you hope this project might influence future product designs or even real-world applications?
I hope FlexiBowl can serve as encouragement for other students to share their own designs without fear. At first, I was pretty nervous to show my work. I constantly saw professional-level designs around me and felt like, as a high school student, I couldn’t possibly reach that standard yet. But this experience and the creation of FlexiBowl taught me that student work can still make a real impact. I want to help break that fear for others and show that meaningful, thoughtful design doesn’t have to wait. I want to let other students know that their designs can also hold practicality and values. From a design perspective, I hope that FlexiBowl can be a model for creating multifunctional products that reduce clutter and waste. I also hope it inspires more eco-conscious thinking–pushing future designers to create solutions that are not only practical, but that benefit people and the planet as a whole.
5 Are there any individuals, mentors, or design studios you’d like to thank who supported or inspired you during this process?
I’d like to thank my parents for staying up with me during the many late nights I spent working on FlexiBowl—especially those moments when a sudden surge of inspiration kept me up. Their constant encouragement gave me the motivation to keep going forward. It also gave me the confidence to share my work to the outside world. Even when I don’t always notice it, I know they do so much behind the scenes to support my design journey, and I’m truly grateful for their unconditional support. I’d also like to thank my little brother, who would occasionally pop in with ideas or feedback. His support, in his own way, meant a lot to me too.
