Project overview
Project Goals
I encompassed crucial aspects of the design process, from conducting thorough competitive and creative research to crafting user flow charts. I spearheaded the development of multi-fidelity prototypes, meticulously designing both micro and macro interactions to ensure a seamless user experience. Throughout the project, my focus remained on creating an intuitive, science-based interface that would resonate with our target audience and fulfill our mission of providing personalized, accurate nutritional guidance.
Research & Discovery
Research methods
Embarking on this project, we embraced Human Centered Design principles, weaving them into a comprehensive three-phase research methodology. Our journey began with a deep dive into market analysis, competitive benchmarking, user research, and creative exploration. This initial phase laid the groundwork for our understanding of the nutritional app landscape and user needs.
As we dove deeper, the stark realities of the market became clear. Our analysis unveiled a significant demand for personalized nutrition guidance, with 20 million individuals grappling with food allergies and a staggering 96 million U.S. adults facing prediabetes. These numbers weren't just statistics; they represented real people seeking solutions. Our user research echoed this need, with an overwhelming 99% of survey respondents expressing concerns about their nutrient intake, and nearly half reporting dietary modifications due to various health factors.
Armed with these insights, we transitioned into the second phase, meticulously crafting user personas and flow charts to address the pain points we'd uncovered. This process was both challenging and enlightening, forcing us to view the problem through the eyes of our potential users.
The final phase saw us bringing our research to life in a Figma prototype. This wasn't just about creating a visually appealing interface; it was about synthesizing all our findings into a solution that could genuinely address the gaps we'd identified in the market.
Throughout this process, we didn't just look at direct competitors. Our SWOT analyses encompassed both direct and indirect competitors, providing a comprehensive view of the landscape and informing our strategic positioning. We also delved into creative research, exploring food color theory and mobile user interaction principles to enhance the overall user experience.
Personal discovery
This project was a transformative experience. It marked my first foray into mobile application design, introducing me to user research methodologies and the intricacies of Human-Centered Design. Working with Figma opened new avenues of creativity and precision in my design work. But more than just technical skills, this project deepened my understanding of how design can profoundly impact usability and user satisfaction. It wasn't just about making things look good; it was about making them work better for real people with real needs.
This journey solidified my passion for user-centric design and provided a robust foundation for my professional growth. As I reflect on the process, I'm struck by how each phase of research and discovery not only informed our project but also shaped my perspective as a designer. It's clear to me now that great design is born from a deep understanding of user needs, market dynamics, and creative possibilities – a lesson I'll carry forward in all my future endeavors.
Design process
iteration & Testing
final solution
The prototype contains four main pagess which are personal dashboard, food integration, nutrient information, and grocery scanner. The hope for the different domains are to do the following: educate, personalize, and apply.
With Inform, you can easily learn nutritional information, understand how each food or nutrient affects your body, and create a list of foods best for you personally.
Using your profile data, Inform scans common grocery items or foods and gives advice on whether it would be beneficial for your body, or if there are better alternatives to fit your personalized needs.
The knowledge and substitutions that Inform provides will enable you to create personalized eating and shopping patterns grounded in nutritional understanding and confidence.
impact & results
The impact of Inform extended far beyond our initial expectations. Shortly after completing our project, we witnessed the release of Fig, a mobile application that mirrored many of our core features. This market validation was both exciting and affirming, confirming our identification of user needs in the nutrition and shopping space. While Fig didn't encompass our full vision for nutritional education, its success and high user ratings corroborated our initial hypotheses, underscoring the potential impact of our prototype.
This experience has been transformative, sharpening my understanding of market trends and user needs in health technology. It highlighted the critical importance of thorough market research and user-centric design in product development. Moreover, it has fueled my ambition to further refine my abilities, setting my sights on creating app store-ready projects in the future. The journey of Inform has not only validated our concept but also paved the way for continued innovation in the realm of nutritional technology.
my part
As a first-time participant in the interactive studio, I faced a steep learning curve that required intense focus and dedication. Professor Anatol Bologan's guidance proved invaluable throughout this challenging semester. Our team, effectively operating as a trio despite being four on paper, often required me to step beyond my designated role. This experience not only expanded my skill set but also bolstered my confidence in tackling complex, multifaceted projects.
As the user flow designer, I took the initiative to create and articulate the app's navigation structure to my team. I presented the rationale behind each section, fostering collaborative discussions to refine the flow. This responsibility extended to designing numerous mobile application screens, with my initial wireframes significantly shaping the app's layout and functionality in subsequent iterations.
While I now recognize areas for improvement in design and visual cohesion, I'm proud of the substantial progress our team achieved, especially considering our novice status in app development. This experience pushed me to realize capabilities I hadn't previously recognized in myself, proving both demanding and incredibly rewarding. It solidified my ability to lead, collaborate, and innovate in a creative environment.
