Final Project for Introduction to User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design Course
Emily Carr University / Ontario College of Art & Design University
Concept for an app to solve the issue of the time it takes to make dinner. Research for this project included:
9 in-depth interviews to gather insights.
Affinity charting to analyze interview data and define a clear problem statement.
A heuristic evaluation of the Save-On-Foods app for benchmarking.
User testing and feedback to refine the solution.
Problem Statement
How can we help people in Metro Vancouver who cook for their households save time preparing dinner?
Solution
This app is a hybrid of Save-On-Foods and Instacart, but with a focus on reducing the time spent washing and preparing fresh ingredients. Unlike meal kit programs such as HelloFresh or Goodfood, which interviewees described as expensive, wasteful, and restrictive for dietary preferences, or services like Skip the Dishes and DoorDash, which are perceived as "cheat meal" options, this app provides a healthier, more flexible alternative.
The app simplifies home cooking by delivering pre-washed, pre-prepped ingredients—letting users focus on the enjoyable part: cooking. By eliminating tedious prep work, users can save time and reduce cleanup, leaving them with fewer dirty dishes.
Features
The app offers a curated selection of fresh, ready-to-use ingredients, including:
Prepped vegetables and fruits.
Marinated meats and seafood.
Dairy products.
Fresh herbs and spices.
This concept empowers busy home cooks to enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals without sacrificing their time or creativity.
Interview Results
Used Miro for organizing interview data and analysis
Target Audience Persona
Persona: Carly Davis
“There are not enough hours in the day”
Location: Burnaby, BC | Occupation: Registered Nurse | Age: 32
Bio:
Carly is a lifelong resident of Metro Vancouver, where she cherishes the natural beauty and enjoys an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. Recently married, Carly and her husband are settling into their new condo. Carly has always led a busy life, juggling a demanding job with her personal commitments. While she loves her vibrant city and active lifestyle, she finds it increasingly difficult to prioritize healthy eating amidst her packed schedule. The unhealthy habits she’s picked up are starting to catch up with her, leaving her motivated to make positive changes.
Goals:
Dedicate more time to cooking and enjoy it as part of her routine.
Maintain a healthy meal plan that incorporates fresh, cooked vegetables to improve her diet.
Achieve a sense of balance between her busy schedule and her desire for nutritious, home-cooked meals.
Challenges:
Carly loves cooking but struggles to find the time and energy after long workdays.
Washing, prepping, cooking, and cleaning up fresh ingredients feels overwhelming, deterring her from incorporating enough vegetables into her meals.
She feels guilty about resorting to unhealthy shortcuts but finds them necessary due to time constraints.
Work-around:
Quick and easy solutions like cold dinners, egg on toast, or snacks such as popcorn.
Occasional takeout for convenience, though she worries about its nutritional value.
Tried meal kit delivery services but found them too wasteful, expensive, and limiting in terms of meal flexibility. She prefers to retain control over her ingredients and recipes.
Main User Flow for App
Main User Flow: Place an order for freshly prepared ingredients to make dinner
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Low Fidelity Wireframes | Userflow: Placing an order for ingredients using ‘Buy Again’ from the homepage
