Design a food customization application for the restaurant I love in my hometown.
Project overview
The problem
Many individuals who have traveled extensively and experienced various cuisines often encounter challenges when it comes to finding truly authentic ethnic food. Despite their global adventures, locating such culinary experiences can be a struggle.
The product
Developing an app that educates users about various foods, including ingredients, recipes, and preparation methods, is essential. Many individuals lack comprehensive knowledge about different types of food and struggle to distinguish between authentic and non-authentic cuisine.
My role
As a UX designer, I designed an app for authentic restaurants from the initial concept to the final delivery.
The goal
To explore how users learn about different cultural foods and the challenges they face in finding accurate information.
Project duration
March 2021 - July 2021
Responsibilities
Throughout the design process, I engaged in a variety of activities including conducting interviews, creating paper and digital wireframes, developing low and high-fidelity prototypes, conducting usability studies, ensuring accessibility considerations, and continuously iterating on the designs. These efforts were aimed at creating a user-centric and effective app for authentic restaurants.
Understanding the user
I conducted interviews and created empathy maps to understand the users I was designing for and their needs. A primary user group identified through research was travelers who have visited different countries and continents.
The research conducted not only affirmed the initial assumptions about Levin customers held by this user group but also shed light on additional challenges. It uncovered the difficulties faced in locating authentic restaurants, as well as concerns related to the restaurant's ingredients, cooking methods, and visual representation through photos.
Frustrations
Travelers often express their disappointment when they come across only one restaurant that offers truly authentic cuisine.
Accessibility
Websites and other platforms frequently fail to provide accurate information regarding the food and its whereabouts.
IA
There is a lack of proper ingredient verification and insufficient availability of food information through both visual representation and accompanying details.
Ardi is a journalist who needs to find restaurants that provide authentic food.
Persona & problem statement
Mapping Ardi’s user journey revealed how helpful it would be for users to access a dedicated LevIn app.
User journey map
Paper wireframes
Taking the time to draft iterations of each screen of the app on paper ensured that the elements that made it to digital wireframes would be well-suited to address user pain points.
Digital wireframes
Throughout the initial design phase, I prioritized incorporating feedback and insights from the user research into the screen designs.
Low-fidelity prototype
Using the completed set of digital wireframes, I created a low-fidelity prototype. The primary user flow I connected was a pop-up menu of the day.
View the LevIn app
Refining the design
Mockups
Once the digital wireframes were finalized, I moved forward with the development of a low-fidelity prototype. A significant aspect of the user experience that I concentrated on was seamlessly incorporating a pop-up menu of the day into the design.
During the second usability study, users expressed confusion regarding the presentation of information and photos. As a result, the design underwent modifications to provide a different perspective and address these concerns.
High-fidelity prototype
The final high-fidelity prototype showcased improved user flows that were more streamlined and aligned with the users' requirements.
Accessibility considerations
The design approach emphasized giving users the autonomy to make their own choices regarding the food they desire and providing them with comprehensive information to assist in their decision-making process.
To enhance ease of navigation, icons were incorporated into the design, making it intuitive for users to explore different sections of the app. A map feature was also implemented, allowing users to visualize restaurant locations and easily find their desired dining establishments on the map.
Review sessions were integrated into the app to provide users with valuable insights, enabling them to access feedback and opinions from other customers about various restaurants. This feature allows users to make more informed decisions based on the experiences shared by fellow diners.
Going forward
Impact:
The app successfully immerses users in a virtual experience, evoking a sense of being in different countries as they discover the specific food they are seeking.
What I learned:
Throughout the design process, user feedback played a crucial role in shaping and enhancing both the design and functionality of the app. Each comment from the users was highly valued, leading to continuous improvements and refinements of the app.
Next steps
To ensure that the pain points identified by users have been adequately addressed, it is recommended to conduct another round of usability studies. This will help validate the effectiveness of the design changes made based on user feedback.
Additionally, conducting further user research would be beneficial to identify any new areas of need that may have emerged or to gain deeper insights into user preferences and expectations. This research can provide valuable input for future iterations and enhancements of the app.