My Kitchen

It can be hard for some people to keep track of what’s in your kitchen or what food you actually have. With school, work or a family to feed you want to make sure you’re able to prepare a meal without any complications.

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My Role

I was the project lead and sole designer in charge of UX design and UI design.

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Problem

When it comes to cooking, many people find themselves in a predicament where they don't know how to prepare a meal or what to cook. Additionally, the process of cooking can be time-consuming, making it challenging to fit into a busy schedule. Managing groceries can also be difficult, especially when there is limited time for grocery shopping. However, there are solutions to these common hurdles. Online platforms and mobile applications offer a wide range of recipes and cooking tutorials that can help with ideas and guidance for meals.

Furthermore, meal delivery services and pre-packaged meal kits can provide a convenient alternative to traditional grocery shopping. These services deliver pre-measured ingredients and recipe instructions right to your doorstep, reducing the time and effort required for meal preparation. By exploring these options, it becomes possible to overcome the obstacles associated with cooking, allowing for easier meal planning and a more enjoyable culinary experience.

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Step 1: User Research

With the assistance of the interviewer, I have successfully established the business objectives of MyKitchen. Based on this valuable information, I have devised a screening survey that will effectively identify the specific target audience for conducting user research, interviews, and testing.

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Target Audience

- Cooking enthusiasts: Individuals who have a genuine interest in cooking and enjoy experimenting with new recipes and techniques.

- Home cooks: People who regularly prepare meals at home and are looking for inspiration, ideas, and convenient ways to access a wide range of recipes.

- Health-conscious individuals: Those who are focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seek recipes that align with their dietary preferences, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or low-calorie options.

- Busy professionals: Individuals with busy schedules who are seeking quick and easy recipes that can be prepared in minimal time, without compromising on taste or nutrition.

- Novice cooks: People who are new to cooking and looking for beginner-friendly recipes, step-by-step instructions, and cooking tips to build their culinary skills.

- Families: Parents or caregivers who are in search of family-friendly recipes that cater to the tastes and dietary needs of both children and adults.

- Foodies: Individuals who have a passion for exploring different cuisines, unique ingredients, and innovative cooking methods.

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Screener Survey

The aim for this survey is to gather information from individuals who have experience with cooking and using recipe apps. This initial survey helps identify potential participants who fit the desired profile and can provide valuable insights for the development and improvement of the app.

Note: Click here to full screener survey.

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‍Persona & Empathy Map

‍After conducting user interviews, I developed three distinct personas based on the characteristics of the target users. These personas served as valuable reference points throughout the design process, helping me remain focused on meeting the specific needs of the users.

Additionally, through empathy mapping, I gained a deeper understanding of what users think, say, do, and feel. This exercise allowed me to recognize that user perspectives can vary and provided insights into their behaviors and emotions. By observing user behavior during the interviews and collecting relevant data, I was able to approach the design process from a user-centric perspective.

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After I found the target audiences for user research, I started to design questionnaires to understand the following questions:

- HMW make it easier for users to find recipes that match their dietary restrictions or preferences?

- HMW provide personalized recipe recommendations based on a user's past behavior and preferences?

- HMW enable users to easily share recipes with friends and family through social media or messaging platforms?

- HMW make it easier for users to quickly find the products they need without having to search through multiple categories?

- HMW personalize the shopping experience based on a user's past behavior and preferences to provide tailored recommendations and suggestions?

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MVP & User Stories

To ensure continuous alignment with user needs, I consistently review user research findings and user personas. This helps in crafting user stories that cater to the features and functionalities desired by users while using the app. Based on this information, the MVP was defined as follows:

- Account

- Terms & Conditions

- Shopping page

- Recipe generation

- Location setting

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Step 2: Competitive Analysis

In order to understand my competition, I conducted research on existing apps that align with my concept. I carefully analyzed each app, taking note of their strengths and weaknesses. This evaluation process guided me in developing my own app, incorporating the lessons learned from my competitors and aiming to provide a unique and improved user experience.

The competitive analysis of the chosen app provides valuable insights into the recipe app landscape. It reveals the range of features and functionalities offered by these platforms, including recipe discovery, meal planning tools, search capabilities, and personalized recommendations.

The analysis also highlights the user experience provided by each platform, focusing on aspects such as navigation, layout, and overall usability. Furthermore, it sheds light on the size and diversity of their recipe databases, the effectiveness of their search functionalities, and the engagement strategies employed to connect with their user communities.

Additionally, the analysis uncovers the monetization strategies utilized by these platforms and helps identify their strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas for improvement. Overall, this competitive analysis serves as a valuable resource for understanding the recipe app market and identifying opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
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Step 3: User Interview & Mapping Information

‍User Interview

To enhance the readability, usability, and legibility of the navigation menu in the app, I employed a use interview. The user interview identifies individuals who frequently use the recipe app for discovering new recipes and planning meals.

- They value the search function, step-by-step instructions, and visuals provided by the app.

- They appreciate the nutritional information and regularly use the online grocery app for convenient shopping and delivery.

- They find the app's wide variety of products, search function, and personalized recommendations helpful.

- They also appreciate the flexibility of scheduling delivery or pickup times.

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After organizing the key content of the app, my next step involved creating a comprehensive sitemap that would serve as a roadmap for designing the user flow.

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User flow 1: Account

- scenario 1: The user inadvertently deleted the app and now wishes to log in using the reinstalled version.

- scenario 2: A new user who is accessing the app for the first time desires to complete the registration process.

- scenario 3: The user wishes to directly access the shopping section without the need to log in or register.‍

Note: Users are provided with the choice to log in or register by utilizing their social media accounts. Upon selecting this option, they will be redirected to the respective social media page for authentication.

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User flow 2: Purchase

- scenario 1: User wants to add items to shopping cart and checkout.

- scenario 2: User wants to checkout from the shopping cart.‍

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User flow 3: Post & Share

- scenario 1: Write a new post about your recipes.

- scenario 2: Read posts and write comments & Share posts on social media.

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Step 4: Ideating the first concepts

Guerilla Usability Test Report

The guerrilla usability test provided valuable insights into the usability issues and user feedback for the recipes app. Addressing the identified issues and implementing the suggested improvements will help create a more user-friendly and engaging experience for app users.

Based on the test, participants highlighted the need for improved search functionality, clearer recipe details, and a streamlined user interface. Recommendations include enhancing search capabilities, ensuring comprehensive recipe information, and improving overall navigation.

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Sketches

Now comes the exciting phase. Equipped with the supporting data, I embarked on creating numerous hand-drawn sketches, followed by wire framing and prototyping iterations. These initial sketches proved to be beneficial in preventing me from delving too deeply into visual details.When I shared these sketches with my users, they were delighted because it added an element of fun compared to interviews and surveys.

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Wireframe

Once the sketches were finalized without any issues, I proceeded to create wireframes using the Figma App.

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Wire Flows

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Edge Cases

Case 1: To accommodate users with long names, I increase the maximum length of the text field so that it can accommodate longer names. I also make the text field resizable so that the user can expand it as needed to input their entire name. Alternatively, I provide a separate field for the user's first and last names, rather than a single text field for their full name. This approach can be more user-friendly, as it allows the user to input their name in a more natural way and makes it easier for my to handle the different parts of the name separately if needed.

Case 2: The My Kitchen app caters to non-English speakers by providing a diverse selection of language options.

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Step 5: Style Guide

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Step 6: High Fidelity Mockups

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Step 7: Validation and feedback

I used the unmoderated remote user testing (URUT) method with the same five participants from the user interviews. URUT allowed them to test the app prototypes in their own environments due to cross-nation and time-zone differences. Via Zoom, I shared the Invision prototypes and test cases. Participants were instructed to think out loud throughout the test, providing valuable insights into their thoughts and frustrations.

Participants highlighted several areas for improvement in the Recipes App, including the need for enhanced search functionality and clearer instructions for saving and organizing favorite recipes. Additionally, they suggested emphasizing the app's unique features to differentiate it from competitors.

Taking these insights into consideration, I have identified some specific recommendations to enhance the user experience and make the app more user-friendly and competitive:

- Refine Search Functionality: Participants expressed the desire for more robust search capabilities within the app. To address this, I implement advanced search filters such as dietary restrictions, cooking time, ingredients, and cuisine type. This will allow users to quickly and efficiently find recipes that meet their specific preferences and requirements.

- Streamline Recipe-Saving Process: Users found it challenging to save and organize their favorite recipes within the app. To improve this aspect, I providing clearer instructions and intuitive interface elements for saving recipes. Implementing a "Bookmark" button prominently on each recipe page, along with the ability to create custom folders or tags for organizing saved recipes, will make it easier for users to access their preferred recipes later on.

- Enhance Recipe Instructions: Participants expressed the need for clearer and more concise recipe instructions. I recommend optimizing the recipe layout to ensure that instructions are easy to follow, with steps clearly numbered and ingredients listed in a consistent format. Adding visual cues, such as icons or images, to illustrate different cooking techniques or ingredient measurements can further enhance the clarity of instructions.

Note: Click here to full test script.

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Product Demo

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What would you do differently with the knowledge you have now?

Based on my current understanding, I would place a higher emphasis on conducting extensive user research during the early stages of the project. By engaging with a diverse range of users, collecting their perspectives, preferences, and pain points, I could gain a more comprehensive understanding of their needs and expectations. This enriched insight would enable me to create a more customized and user-centered app experience that aligns closely with their requirements.

Through the project, I gained a deep appreciation for the significance of user testing. By actively seeking user feedback and conducting usability testing, I acquired valuable insights into the design's strengths and weaknesses. This feedback was instrumental in understanding how users perceive and engage with the app, pinpointing areas for enhancement, and validating successful design decisions.

Additionally, evaluating stakeholder feedback provided valuable insights into their expectations, satisfaction levels, and potential areas for better alignment. This knowledge will greatly inform my future communication and collaboration with clients and stakeholders, leading to improved outcomes in future projects.

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