Problem Statement
Ingredients spoil before you realize it.
In the U.S., bulk purchases lead to repetitive meals or eventual ingredient spoilage, resulting in both frustration and unnecessary waste of food and finances. This prevalent issue compels a solution that mitigates waste while diversifying meal options.
The Challenge
Designed the product for one-handed use by users.
Given that the app is used while cooking or grocery shopping, making it convenient for one-handed use by users is essential.
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
January - March 2023 ( 12 weeks )
January - March 2023 ( 12 weeks )
January - March 2023 ( 12 weeks )
My Role
UX Designer
UX Researcher
UX Designer
UX Researcher
UX Designer
UX Researcher
Dining out can really break the bank
Dining out can really break the bank
Dining out can really break the bank
Mastering the art of cooking has become a crucial survival skill for newcomers to New York City. With an increasing number of people needing to cut costs, NYC sees a large market for recipe apps that aim to provide economical cooking without waste.
Mastering the art of cooking has become a crucial survival skill for newcomers to New York City. With an increasing number of people needing to cut costs, NYC sees a large market for recipe apps that aim to provide economical cooking without waste.
Mastering the art of cooking has become a crucial survival skill for newcomers to New York City. With an increasing number of people needing to cut costs, NYC sees a large market for recipe apps that aim to provide economical cooking without waste.
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Ingredients spoil before you realize it.
In the U.S., bulk purchases lead to repetitive meals or eventual ingredient spoilage, resulting in both frustration and unnecessary waste of food and finances. This prevalent issue compels a solution that mitigates waste while diversifying meal options.
The Challenge
The Challenge
The Challenge
Designed the product for one-handed use by users.
Given that the app is used while cooking or grocery shopping, making it convenient for one-handed use by users is essential.
1
2
3
Ingredient tracker
Shows how many ingredients you have.
Suggests shopping lists for recipes with current ingredients.
Tracks countdown to current ingredients' expiry dates.
The Solution
Tracking ingredients and suggesting recipes.
Suggests recipes
Suggests recipes based on available ingredients.
Offers video tutorials for enhanced understanding.
Create a community for ingredient swaps and recipe sharing.
Gather ingredient info
Scan receipts to get grocery shopping items.
The Solution
Tracking ingredients and suggesting recipes.
Ingredient tracker
Shows how many ingredients you have.
Suggests shopping lists for recipes with current ingredients.
Tracks countdown to current ingredients' expiry dates.
Shows how many ingredients you have.
Suggests shopping lists for recipes with current ingredients.
Tracks countdown to current ingredients' expiry dates.
Suggests recipes
Suggests recipes based on available ingredients.
Offers video tutorials for enhanced understanding.
Create a community for ingredient swaps and recipe sharing.
Suggests recipes based on available ingredients.
Offers video tutorials for enhanced understanding.
Create a community for ingredient swaps and recipe sharing.
Gather ingredient info
Scan receipts to get grocery shopping items.
Scan receipts to get grocery shopping items.
UX RESEARCH
Saving up to $1,500 annually by reducing food waste
In the U.S., households waste an average of 6.2 cups of food weekly, impacting finances and the environment. Misinterpretation of date labels and leftover spoilage are key contributors. Amidst rising food prices, efficient food management and understanding label language are emphasized to reduce waste (USDA ERS) (MITRE).
Saving up to $1,500 annually by reducing food waste
In the U.S., households waste an average of 6.2 cups of food weekly, impacting finances and the environment. Misinterpretation of date labels and leftover spoilage are key contributors. Amidst rising food prices, efficient food management and understanding label language are emphasized to reduce waste (USDA ERS) (MITRE).
UX RESEARCH
Survey
Survey
Survey
A survey was conducted to get some initial numbers on the issue and identify candidates to interview for more insight. 14 cooks surveyed,
A survey was conducted to get some initial numbers on the issue and identify candidates to interview for more insight.
A survey was conducted to get some initial numbers on the issue and identify candidates to interview for more insight.
87.5% of home cooks prepare meals 4 times a week.
57.1% of people usually let food go bad in the fridge and just throw it away.
90% of solo dwellers face ingredient waste issues.
64.3% of home cooks would love to try new recipes
Survey
A survey was conducted to get some initial numbers on the issue and identify candidates to interview for more insight.
How often do you find leftover ingredients going bad?
How do you deal with all leftover ingredients?
How often do you go to the grocery store?
Their dietary
How do they use digital products to find recipes?
I ask Questions about:
I interviewed four individuals who cook regularly and struggle with ingredient management.
I interviewed four individuals who cook regularly and struggle with ingredient management.
I interviewed four individuals who cook regularly and struggle with ingredient management.
Interview
An Affinity Map to summarize the data
An Affinity Map to summarize the data
I have an interviewee who uses Instagram to find cooking recipes. Let's use her experience to create an experience map, identifying opportunities and pain points for future iterations.
4
Eating the same meals daily strains those who avoid food waste.
5
They use smartphones to access cooking videos and apps for help
1
People forget what they have in the fridge and don’t know what to do with the leftover ingredient.
2
There is a relationship between food waste and household size
3
Constant worry over ingredient planning leads to anxiety and pressure.
Summary
My target audience comprises individuals in households of fewer than three people who are eager to explore a variety of dishes and expand their culinary repertoire.
My target audience comprises individuals in households of fewer than three people who are eager to explore a variety of dishes and expand their culinary repertoire.
My target audience comprises individuals in households of fewer than three people who are eager to explore a variety of dishes and expand their culinary repertoire.
Target Audience
Target Audience
Competitor Analysis
Imperfect Food
Hello Fresh
Many apps require users to enter their credit card information during the registration process, which can lead to distrust of the product among users.
Complex operations are often involved, and since recipes usually require users to repeatedly check them while cooking, reducing the number of steps involved is optimal.
Competitors
Competitor Analysis
Imperfect Food
Hello Fresh
Many apps require users to enter their credit card information during the registration process, which can lead to distrust of the product among users.
Complex operations are often involved, and since recipes usually require users to repeatedly check them while cooking, reducing the number of steps involved is optimal.
Competitor Analysis
Imperfect Food
Hello Fresh
Many apps require users to enter their credit card information during the registration process, which can lead to distrust of the product among users.
Complex operations are often involved, and since recipes usually require users to repeatedly check them while cooking, reducing the number of steps involved is optimal.
Competitor Analysis
Imperfect Food
Hello Fresh
Many apps require users to enter their credit card information during the registration process, which can lead to distrust of the product among users.
Complex operations are often involved, and since recipes usually require users to repeatedly check them while cooking, reducing the number of steps involved is optimal.
Personas
24, German
Gender: Male
Status: Single
Archetype: Home chef
Needs
New Recipes to try
Dietary Restrict
What bothers me
I'm passionate about trying new recipes, often finding intriguing dishes on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. When grocery shopping, I'm drawn to ingredients that catch my eye, making it essential to manage surplus ingredients effectively. Consequently, I frequently end up with an abundance of leftovers that need to be utilized.
Goal
I use a tool that helps me create recipes with leftover ingredients each week. This gives me the flexibility to occasionally dine out without worrying about contributing to food waste.
Every day, I prepare a single meal that serves as both lunch and dinner. This approach minimizes the risk of food spoilage and ensures ingredients are used efficiently.
Steven Vegetari
I'm a passionate vegan who enjoys cooking.
24, Imgration
Gender: Male
Status: Single
Archetype: Home cookerd
Needs
New Recipes to try
Dietary Restrict
What bothers me
I'm passionate about trying new recipes, often finding intriguing dishes on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. When grocery shopping, I'm drawn to ingredients that catch my eye, making it essential to manage surplus ingredients effectively. Consequently, I frequently end up with an abundance of leftovers that need to be utilized.
Goal
I use a tool that helps me create recipes with leftover ingredients each week. This gives me the flexibility to occasionally dine out without worrying about contributing to food waste.
Every day, I prepare a single meal that serves as both lunch and dinner. This approach minimizes the risk of food spoilage and ensures ingredients are used efficiently.
Steven Vegetari
I'm a passionate vegan who enjoys cooking.
Needs
New Recipes to try
Dietary Restrict
What bothers me
I'm passionate about trying new recipes, often finding intriguing dishes on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. When grocery shopping, I'm drawn to ingredients that catch my eye, making it essential to manage surplus ingredients effectively. Consequently, I frequently end up with an abundance of leftovers that need to be utilized.
Goal
I use a tool that helps me create recipes with leftover ingredients each week. This gives me the flexibility to occasionally dine out without worrying about contributing to food waste.
Every day, I prepare a single meal that serves as both lunch and dinner. This approach minimizes the risk of food spoilage and ensures ingredients are used efficiently.
Design & Ideate
Design & Ideate
A story map was created to design a more accurate solution, and the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) was defined to identify the core problems and corresponding solutions.
A story map was created to design a more accurate solution, and the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) was defined to identify the core problems and corresponding solutions.
My design could contain 3 solutions to fix the problem
1
Users can scan supermarket receipts using their mobile phones to obtain data on purchased ingredients.
2
Based on their ingredients, the system can then provide recipe recommendations.
3
Users share cooking videos, collaborate on dishes, and share ingredients and costs.
1
Users can scan supermarket receipts using their mobile phones to obtain data on purchased ingredients.
2
Based on their ingredients, the system can then provide recipe recommendations.
3
Users share cooking videos, collaborate on dishes, and share ingredients and costs.
PRODUCT DESIGN
PRODUCT DESIGN
How might we facilitate the creation of a shopping list before users embark on their grocery trips?
How might we provide users with a range of daily meals that minimize the generation of leftover ingredients?
How might we alleviate the pressure on home cooks to use leftover ingredients before spoiling?
Testing + Improvements
Based on various feedback from 5 other home cooks, I continually iterated my design over the span of 4 weeks - with 3 major improvements
4 Major improvements in my design
2
Homepage layout changes
Removed the message about how to preserve ingredient
Implemented the concept of cards and categorized ingredient types, enabling users to quickly see all ingredients.
9:41
Search
Onion
You bought in 01/01
0.5 BL
expired in 3 days
Ingredients You Have
How to Preserve your food Ingredient
It is recommended to wrap the onions in old newspapers and kitchen paper towels in a dry state, and put the onions in the fruit compartment to refrigerate
Ingredients
Harmony
Home
Profile
Join a Group Order
Cookbook
Serve
My Meal
Ingredients
You have
9:41
Scan
Receipt
Onion
You bought in 01/01
0.5 BL
expired in 3 days
Tomato
You bought in 01/03
0.5 BL
expired in 2 days
Garlic
You bought in 02/13
0.2 BL
expired in 10 days
Broccoli
You bought in 01/19
0.1 BL
expired in 6 days
1
Establishing Community Features
Compared to peer-to-peer products, creating a community platform enables greater user engagement and boosts user numbers.
Sharing cooking videos on community features seems to make the user experience more intuitive.
searching
previously project
Upcoming
Looking for Recipes
9:41
Filter
List
2
1
Profile
Join a Group Order
Cookbook
Serve
My Meal
Home
3
Modified the navigation bar options.
Adjusted button names to make the functions more intuitive for users to understand and operate.
Placed the scan button in the navigation bar, making it convenient for users to scan at any time after shopping to save operational steps.
Profile
Join a Group Order
Serve
My Meal
CookBook
Home
Home
CookBook
Community
Profile
Scan
Receipt
4
Complete change the style
The original color scheme felt too heavy. After learning more about UI, I made the interface feel fresher.
RIBEYE STEAK
(0.5BL)
Purchase date 01/01
Expired in 3 days
GROUND BEEF
(1.0BL)
Purchase date 01/03
Expired in 2 days
SALMON FILLET
(1.0BL)
Purchase date 01/03
Expired in 2 days
CHICKEN BREAST
(1.0BL)
Purchase date 01/03
Expired in 2 days
Protein
Pantry Inventory Unveiled
SmartShop Suggestions
Vegetable
ONION
(0.5BL)
Purchase date 01/01
Expired in 3 days
TOMATO
(1.0BL)
Purchase date 01/03
Expired in 2 days
GARLIC
(1.0BL)
Purchase date 01/03
Expired in 2 days
BROCCOLI
(1.0BL)
Purchase date 01/03
Expired in 2 days
Search what you have
Dietary
Household Size
Budget
Cooking methods
Cuisine
Recommend Recipes
SPAGHETTI
Recommend Recipes
WHITE RICE
Home
CookBook
Community
Profile
Scan
Receipt
Black 1
#000000
Text
Warning
#D83D3D
Success
#72FF40
Info
#AEB739
State Colors
Primary
/
#814C28
Secondary
/
#EEECCF
Brand Colors
Colors
Frame:
Iphone 14
Number of columns:
4
Column width:
130 px
Gutter width:
10 px
Grid options
MOBILE
Gridsystem
11 px
22 px
Levels
Spacing
Cards
Onion
(0.5BL)
Purchase date 01/01
Expired in 3 days
Primary button
Confirmed
Secondary button
Navigation bar
Home
Home
Buttons
CookBook
CookBook
Community
Community
Profile
Profile
Publish
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Name
12 px
20 px
28 px
Font size
auto px
24 px
24 px
Line Height
A
a
Heading
Helvetica
Typography
UI Style Guide
I aim for my design to be suitable for all age groups
the color scheme isn't modern. I hope even older users can enjoy my app, so I'm using green and earth tones.
The Final Product
The Final Product
The Final Product
Prototype
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