Functional Forms:
Data-Encoded Miso Jars

These miso jars bridge the gap between function and story. Each one reflects how fermentation time shifts with ingredient ratios, blending the art of pottery with the narrative of fermentation. Recipes aren’t just written—they’re embedded in the jars themselves, making the process both visible and tangible.
Miso Jar 1

development

Focusing on three key variables — fermentation time, koji proportion, and salt content — I explored how pottery itself could become a data visualization. Height reflects duration, body texture encodes koji ratios, and clay composition captures salinity. Each design decision became a metaphor: fermentation translated into form.

Miso Jar 2
Miso Jar 3

designing for intuition

I chose clay bodies to differentiate data points, emphasizing their natural properties over glazes. Only the interior is glazed in vibrant red—a nod to Japan's red lacquerware and the bold spirit of fermentation. Height subtly indicates time: the taller jar for year-long ferments, the shorter for half that time.



Red clay (lid): Represents fermentation time. A full circle corresponds to 1 year, visually reinforcing the patience and care required for traditional miso-making.

Tan clay (body): Encodes the koji-to-substrate ratio, the cornerstone of miso's flavor profile.

Greyish-blue groggy clay (base): Reflects the salt content, a vital element in preserving the miso and shaping its taste.