Graduation project
As a social concept designer, my graduation project focused on developing a lifestyle concept aimed at improving the quality of life for a specific target group.
Given my interest in the sectors of health and food, I sought out relevant societal issues. I quickly came across an urgent problem: the rising obesity rates in the Netherlands. I then narrowed down this broad issue, directing my focus to students – a group that particularly fascinates me.
Since obesity is a complex and multifaceted issue, I chose to concentrate on a specific niche: emotional eating.
Behoud je balans
Research
Both desk and field research reveal that many students struggle with emotional eating due to the pressures of student life. Factors such as academic stress, a busy social life, and increasing responsibilities create strong emotional triggers. Everyone responds to these triggers differently, but a common reaction is turning to (unhealthy) food—known as emotional eating.
While this may provide temporary relief, it does not address the underlying issue. In fact, it can lead to a vicious cycle: the guilt after eating intensifies the original emotion, triggering the urge to eat again. This can have serious consequences, such as weight gain, fatigue, concentration issues, and even mental health problems.
Given that this is an escalating issue among students, I developed a concept aimed at preventing emotional eating and helping students find a better balance.
My Concept
To help students prevent emotional eating, I developed an accessible and practical lifestyle concept. My concept focuses on awareness, behavior change, and creating a better balance in students' eating habits. Rather than focusing on restrictions or strict diets, my approach offers tools to recognize the triggers of emotional eating and how to cope with them in a healthier way.
At the core of my concept is the Balance Buddy - a practical tool that supports students in their daily lives. Through small, easy-to-do tasks, visual stimuli, and reflection moments, students are encouraged to be more mindful of their eating behavior. This is combined with a 21-day program, where students playfully learn new habits and work step by step toward developing a healthier relationship with food.
This concept is introduced through a workshop for first-year students, as they are either in the early stages of the problem or can prevent it altogether. Additionally, they are undergoing a major life transition, and research shows that behavior change is more easily adopted during this phase. By raising awareness about emotional eating early on and providing practical tools, my concept increases the chances of a lasting, positive change.
Curious about the research or what the concept looks like? At the bottom of the page, you'll find all the documents with detailed information about my concept, ‘Behoud je Balans’.
Design
For the design of my concept, I went all out with illustrations of food to perfectly align with the topic. I drew inspiration from the style of old American fast-food chains and added my own unique twist to it. This resulted in a playful and recognizable visual identity that fits perfectly with my concept.
