Project Overview
During this 5 day sprint my team and I developed an end-to-end design solution for a selected problem space: Food Waste. The purpose of this sprint was to solve a complex problem in a relatively short duration through co-creation, rapid prototyping and qualitative testing with targeted users.The proposed “How Might We” stated:
How might we help individuals and/or organizations reduce their food waste using digital technology?
My Role: UX Writer
-Conducted 3 user interviews (user research)
-Conducted a competitive analysis
-Developed a UX writing style guide for our team
-Wrote copy throughout the interface
-Facilitated usability test sessions
Tools Used: Figma, InVision, Zoom
Project Constraints: 5 day deadline
01
Design Process
We utilized the Double Diamond Design Process Model as a guide for making efficient design decisions, at a rapid pace. We began by conducting individual literature reviews (desk research) and came together as a group to define the target users, refine the How Might We statement and scope down our focus.
Target Users: Millennial home cooks
Refined HMW: How might we help millennial home cooks combine their leftover ingredients, in order to reduce their food waste?
02
Understanding the Problem
Next, it was time to interview the target user group. Between the 5 of us, we each conducted 3 interviews with millennial home cooks, to dive deeper into their motivations and frustrations. I conducted my interviews via Zoom and asked the participants 10 open-ended questions, while taking notes for the debrief session.
User interviews revealed three themes:
1. Millennials are conscious about food waste but also value convenience.
2. They want to prioritize food waste but are unsure of how to do it.
3. Over-buying results in leftovers, that eventually go to waste.
"I wish I could organize my desired recipes in a way that I can capitalize on the ingredients I already have."
Participant 2
"If it's convenient, then I'm more likely to do it."
Participant 1
03
User Persona & Storyboard
We took the insights from our desk research and user interviews to craft the user persona. The persona would be our reference point for making design decisions.
The next step was to create a storyboard of his experience using our proposed solution. Due to the time constraints, we chose to keep the persona and storyboard simple so that we could allocate enough time for the UI design phase of the sprint.
Jack Hopkins
Age: 28
Occupation: Digital Marketing Specialist
Diet: Vegetarian
Goal: He wants to find a convenient way to make use of his leftovers.
Challenges:
-
Jack struggles to create meals using leftover ingredients
-
He lacks inspiration for meal ideas
Storyboard
Phase 1
Jack is hungry and looks in his fridge to see what he can make.
Phase 2
He's unsure what to make with his leftover ingredients.
Phase 3
Jack opens the app, enters his ingredients that he wants to use and his dietary preferences.
Phase 4
The app generates recipes for him and he chooses one to cook.
04
Solution Sketches
We each crafted a set of exploratory and solution sketches of our digital product, based on the storyboard. After going through each sketch and presenting our ideas, we voted for the sketch that we felt addressed the goals of the user and moved forward into the wireframe phase.
05
UX Writing & Competitive Analysis
At this stage, we were ready to translate our sketches and ideas into digital wireframes. This is where we divided the work and I focused on the UX writing.
My Tasks
-
I conducted a quick competitive analysis of other mobile apps in the food/recipe space and noted commonly used labels, terminology and CTAs. The goal was to pull inspiration and make sure our product remained consistent with industry standards.
-
Next, I developed a short style guide and shared it with my team to discuss and make sure we were all in alignment.
-
The style guide is a reflection of our brand voice and how we want to communicate with our user.
UX Writing Style Guide
-
Our tone is friendly, inviting and warm.
-
We use direct and concise messaging.
-
Keep it short, but meaningful; write intentionally!
-
Consistent labeling helps our user know where they are and where they are going.
-
Avoid complicated vocabulary, you want to always speak the user's language.
-
Unsure? Test the copy and ask team for feedback.
06
Mid Fidelity Wireframes
Once we finished gathering the materials for our respected roles, we collaborated in Figma to design our initial gray-scale wireframes. We referenced the persona, a UI inspiration board and the style guide to support our design decisions.
Design Goals
-
Minimalistic and modern layout
-
Provide the user with options to filter their dietary preferences
-
List recipe results with highest rated recipes at the top
-
Include a “Congratulations” screen so the user feels gratification for completing the task
07
Usability Test & Feedback
Once the initial wireframe was finalized, one of our designers stitched it together in Figma and we prepared to conduct 1 round of usability testing with 3 potential users. I was responsible for facilitating 3 moderated usability tests via Zoom, while one group member took notes throughout. We gained valuable insights which led to the final iteration of our design.
User Feedback
-
The Explore button was confusing for all participants and they associated that word with exploring new recipes rather than exploring their community. We changed the button label to Community.
-
Participants didn’t understand what the original Cook icon meant in the navigation menu. We changed this icon to a plate with silverware.
08
High Fidelity Screens
Taking feedback from the usability test sessions, we revised our design and implemented the necessary changes to create optimal usability. The final step was to inject color and turn it into a high fidelity prototype. Below are the final screens.
Next Steps
-
The next step would be to conduct a second round of usability testing to solidify our design revisions.
-
We would measure success by how many participants successfully make it through the task flow.
-
We would continue to iterate and build out the rest of the app, as our vision included a social media component where users can share, like and comment on recipes from others in their community.