UI Design Trend: Bento Box
Bento boxes play an important role in Japanese culture. About a thousand years ago, farmers and merchants conceptualized the bento box as a practical solution for transporting their meals. These compact, compartmentalized containers allowed for a variety of foods to be carried conveniently and elegantly. But in the design world, Bento Box is a design trend that greatly impacts how we design user interfaces.
The Bento Box design trend has been around for a while, but it’s only in the last year or two that it’s gained momentum, as designers have realized how delightful and user-friendly it can be.
What is Bento UI?
Bento UI might be a little bit complicated Bento box UI might sound complicated, but it’s a very easy-to-learn way of structuring your user interfaces to achieve a modern look and improve usability. It’s simple and efficient; consequently, it’s popular with designers as well as users.
This concept revolves around creating a layout where you can neatly segment content into various ‘cells’ or ‘boxes.’ Each of these cells serves you as a container for different elements of your website — text, images, videos, or interactive features.
It allows you to easily present information in a clean, organized fashion. It can make your designs exceptionally user-friendly.
Key Features of Bento UI
- Visual Hierarchy and Organization: Bento UI is all about visual hierarchy and organization. It offers a clean, efficient design structure that’s visually appealing.
- Adaptability: Its real power comes from its adaptability to small, rectangular layouts, making it a godsend for mobile-responsive designs.
Points to Keep in Mind When Using Bento UI
- Grid Foundation: Start with a strict grid system, preferably square cells.
- Content Allocation: Distribute content across different cells. Empty cells can add creative flair.
- Hierarchy Creation: Use different-sized squares for visual emphasis1.
- Rounded Corners: A signature feature of Bento UI that helps differentiate cells.
- Grouping: Keep related content together for coherence.
- Add Flair: Bento UI is fun! Use vibrant colors, engaging fonts, and dynamic imagery.
Companies Using Bento UI
Some of the famous companies that have adopted Bento UI for their products or websites include:
- Apple: Apple’s Control Center is a classic example of Bento UI, where each control is compartmentalized yet part of a cohesive whole.
- Pinterest: The platform’s grid layout is a nod to Bento UI, offering a visually pleasing experience that’s easy to navigate.
- Spotify: The playlist interface on Spotify uses a Bento-like grid to organize your favorite songs, albums, and artists, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
While design trends come and go, Bento UI seems to have staying power. Its principles are solid, and advancements in web technologies like CSS Grid make it easier to implement1. As a UX designer, it’s crucial to evaluate if it aligns with your project’s goals
