About me
Case Studies
Personal Projects
Resume
Dawson
About me
Case Studies
Personal Projects
Resume
About me
Case Studies
Personal Projects
Resume
Overview
Overview
Overview
Most cooking apps overcomplicate things with cluttered designs and unclear recipes. Our project simplifies the experience, creating a platform for novice and intermediate cooks that's accessible, engaging, and community-focused. It’s more than just recipes—it’s about connecting, sharing, and making cooking enjoyable for everyone.
Most cooking apps overcomplicate things with cluttered designs and unclear recipes. Our project simplifies the experience, creating a platform for novice and intermediate cooks that's accessible, engaging, and community-focused. It’s more than just recipes—it’s about connecting, sharing, and making cooking enjoyable for everyone.
Most cooking apps overcomplicate things with cluttered designs and unclear recipes. Our project simplifies the experience, creating a platform for novice and intermediate cooks that's accessible, engaging, and community-focused. It’s more than just recipes—it’s about connecting, sharing, and making cooking enjoyable for everyone.
My Role
My Role
My Role
UI/UX Designer
UI/UX Designer
UI/UX Designer
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
September 2023 - December 2023
September 2023 - December 2023
September 2023 - December 2023
Skills Demonstrated
Skills Demonstrated
Skills Demonstrated
Figma Design Expertise
User Insights & Testing
Wireframe Creation
Interactive Prototyping
Figma Design Expertise
User Insights & Testing
Wireframe Creation
Interactive Prototyping
Figma Design Expertise
User Insights & Testing
Wireframe Creation
Interactive Prototyping
Worked With
Worked With
Worked With
Tiffany Trinh
Mai Nguyen
Soomin Lee
Grace Yu
Tiffany Trinh
Mai Nguyen
Soomin Lee
Grace Yu
Tiffany Trinh
Mai Nguyen
Soomin Lee
Grace Yu
Introducing the
Problem Statement
Introducing the
Problem Statement
Introducing the
Problem Statement
The foundation of our project is a social media platform tailored for beginner to intermediate cooks. We chose this topic because we recognized several challenges faced by individuals like unaffordable recipes, food waste, and ineffective cooking websites.
The foundation of our project is a social media platform tailored for beginner to intermediate cooks. We chose this topic because we recognized several challenges faced by individuals like unaffordable recipes, food waste, and ineffective cooking websites.
The foundation of our project is a social media platform tailored for beginner to intermediate cooks. We chose this topic because we recognized several challenges faced by individuals like unaffordable recipes, food waste, and ineffective cooking websites.
We see this as an opportunity to address these barriers by creating a space where users can share experiences, learn from others, and enhance their cooking skills. For us, platform is about fostering inclusivity and community, where cooking becomes an enjoyable and accessible journey for everyone.
We see this as an opportunity to address these barriers by creating a space where users can share experiences, learn from others, and enhance their cooking skills. For us, platform is about fostering inclusivity and community, where cooking becomes an enjoyable and accessible journey for everyone.
We see this as an opportunity to address these barriers by creating a space where users can share experiences, learn from others, and enhance their cooking skills. For us, platform is about fostering inclusivity and community, where cooking becomes an enjoyable and accessible journey for everyone.
We conducted interviews to understand the challenges and preferences of diverse users. From my perspective, these interviews were enlightening as they helped us connect with real people who could benefit from our platform.
By speaking with individuals like culinary students, an art students, and mothers, we were able to immerse ourselves in their experiences. Hearing their stories made me realize the importance of creating a platform that caters to varied lifestyles, from professional kitchens to home-based cooking. This research gives me a clearer vision of what our platform can achieve.
We conducted interviews to understand the challenges and preferences of diverse users. From my perspective, these interviews were enlightening as they helped us connect with real people who could benefit from our platform.
We conducted interviews to understand the challenges and preferences of diverse users. From my perspective, these interviews were enlightening as they helped us connect with real people who could benefit from our platform.
By speaking with individuals like culinary students, an art students, and mothers, we were able to immerse ourselves in their experiences. Hearing their stories made me realize the importance of creating a platform that caters to varied lifestyles, from professional kitchens to home-based cooking. This research gives me a clearer vision of what our platform can achieve.
By speaking with individuals like culinary students, an art students, and mothers, we were able to immerse ourselves in their experiences. Hearing their stories made me realize the importance of creating a platform that caters to varied lifestyles, from professional kitchens to home-based cooking. This research gives me a clearer vision of what our platform can achieve.
User Personas
User Personas
User Personas
Tentative List of Requirements
Tentative List of Requirements
Tentative List of Requirements
We identified some essential features that will make the platform functional and user-friendly. From recipe sharing and ingredient substitutions to allergy warnings and community engagement tools, these features are designed with user needs in mind. We feel a responsibility to ensure these requirements are thoughtfully implemented, prioritizing inclusivity, convenience, and creativity. These ideas reflect our commitment to creating a valuable and impactful resource for our users.
We identified some essential features that will make the platform functional and user-friendly. From recipe sharing and ingredient substitutions to allergy warnings and community engagement tools, these features are designed with user needs in mind. We feel a responsibility to ensure these requirements are thoughtfully implemented, prioritizing inclusivity, convenience, and creativity. These ideas reflect our commitment to creating a valuable and impactful resource for our users.
We identified some essential features that will make the platform functional and user-friendly. From recipe sharing and ingredient substitutions to allergy warnings and community engagement tools, these features are designed with user needs in mind. We feel a responsibility to ensure these requirements are thoughtfully implemented, prioritizing inclusivity, convenience, and creativity. These ideas reflect our commitment to creating a valuable and impactful resource for our users.
Preliminary Design Sketches
Preliminary Design Sketches
Preliminary Design Sketches
The group decided to tackle the sketches individually, each focusing on solving the issue of limited connectivity among cooking enthusiasts through distinct approaches. Once we reviewed the sketches as a team, we noticed overlapping themes and refined them into three potential app solutions, each aimed at resolving usability challenges commonly found in cooking applications.
The group decided to tackle the sketches individually, each focusing on solving the issue of limited connectivity among cooking enthusiasts through distinct approaches. Once we reviewed the sketches as a team, we noticed overlapping themes and refined them into three potential app solutions, each aimed at resolving usability challenges commonly found in cooking applications.
The group decided to tackle the sketches individually, each focusing on solving the issue of limited connectivity among cooking enthusiasts through distinct approaches. Once we reviewed the sketches as a team, we noticed overlapping themes and refined them into three potential app solutions, each aimed at resolving usability challenges commonly found in cooking applications.
First Sketch: This app utilizes a filtering system to generate recipes based on available ingredients, making it highly practical and user-specific. However, it lacks a community-driven aspect, which is a core goal of our project.
First Sketch: This app utilizes a filtering system to generate recipes based on available ingredients, making it highly practical and user-specific. However, it lacks a community-driven aspect, which is a core goal of our project.
First Sketch: This app utilizes a filtering system to generate recipes based on available ingredients, making it highly practical and user-specific. However, it lacks a community-driven aspect, which is a core goal of our project.
Second Sketch: Designed as a game, it allows users to ‘Guess the Price’ of a meal while discovering affordable recipes and connecting with others. While engaging, this concept is limited by regional ingredient accessibility and may feel unnecessary to users seeking straightforward recipe discovery.
Second Sketch: Designed as a game, it allows users to ‘Guess the Price’ of a meal while discovering affordable recipes and connecting with others. While engaging, this concept is limited by regional ingredient accessibility and may feel unnecessary to users seeking straightforward recipe discovery.
Second Sketch: Designed as a game, it allows users to ‘Guess the Price’ of a meal while discovering affordable recipes and connecting with others. While engaging, this concept is limited by regional ingredient accessibility and may feel unnecessary to users seeking straightforward recipe discovery.
Third Sketch: Focused on fostering a food community, this app combines the practicality of ingredient-based filtering with a social aspect where users can share recipes and connect with like-minded cooks. By addressing the shortcomings of the other ideas and prioritizing simplicity and connectivity, our group chose to move forward with this third concept.
Third Sketch: Focused on fostering a food community, this app combines the practicality of ingredient-based filtering with a social aspect where users can share recipes and connect with like-minded cooks. By addressing the shortcomings of the other ideas and prioritizing simplicity and connectivity, our group chose to move forward with this third concept.
Third Sketch: Focused on fostering a food community, this app combines the practicality of ingredient-based filtering with a social aspect where users can share recipes and connect with like-minded cooks. By addressing the shortcomings of the other ideas and prioritizing simplicity and connectivity, our group chose to move forward with this third concept.
Low Fidelity Prototype
Low Fidelity Prototype
Low Fidelity Prototype
Throughout the prototype development process, we focused on addressing layout challenges, particularly on the recipe and community pages. Ensuring clarity and a strong visual hierarchy was a priority. To enhance user-friendliness, we iterated on the designs, emphasizing simplicity and streamlined functionality to avoid overwhelming users. The low-fidelity prototypes centered on improving navigation, with a clear structure that supports efficient task completion. By incorporating diverse categories and essential features, we aimed to create an engaging and intuitive user experience.
Throughout the prototype development process, we focused on addressing layout challenges, particularly on the recipe and community pages. Ensuring clarity and a strong visual hierarchy was a priority. To enhance user-friendliness, we iterated on the designs, emphasizing simplicity and streamlined functionality to avoid overwhelming users. The low-fidelity prototypes centered on improving navigation, with a clear structure that supports efficient task completion. By incorporating diverse categories and essential features, we aimed to create an engaging and intuitive user experience.
Throughout the prototype development process, we focused on addressing layout challenges, particularly on the recipe and community pages. Ensuring clarity and a strong visual hierarchy was a priority. To enhance user-friendliness, we iterated on the designs, emphasizing simplicity and streamlined functionality to avoid overwhelming users. The low-fidelity prototypes centered on improving navigation, with a clear structure that supports efficient task completion. By incorporating diverse categories and essential features, we aimed to create an engaging and intuitive user experience.
Our group conducted cognitive walkthroughs with predefined tasks to evaluate users’ ability to open recipes from the homepage and filter through them.
Our group conducted cognitive walkthroughs with predefined tasks to evaluate users’ ability to open recipes from the homepage and filter through them.
Our group conducted cognitive walkthroughs with predefined tasks to evaluate users’ ability to open recipes from the homepage and filter through them.
While users easily accessed recipes, they often clicked the entire box instead of the call-to-action button. Filtering recipes proved challenging due to the filters being tucked in the hamburger menu, and the purpose of the 'community' tab caused some confusion about the app's focus. Minor issues, such as the placement of 'chat' and 'share' buttons and unclear terminology, were also identified. These walkthroughs highlighted three key areas for improvement.
While users easily accessed recipes, they often clicked the entire box instead of the call-to-action button. Filtering recipes proved challenging due to the filters being tucked in the hamburger menu, and the purpose of the 'community' tab caused some confusion about the app's focus. Minor issues, such as the placement of 'chat' and 'share' buttons and unclear terminology, were also identified. These walkthroughs highlighted three key areas for improvement.
While users easily accessed recipes, they often clicked the entire box instead of the call-to-action button. Filtering recipes proved challenging due to the filters being tucked in the hamburger menu, and the purpose of the 'community' tab caused some confusion about the app's focus. Minor issues, such as the placement of 'chat' and 'share' buttons and unclear terminology, were also identified. These walkthroughs highlighted three key areas for improvement.
Pain Points
Pain Points
Pain Points
High Fidelity Prototype
High Fidelity Prototype
High Fidelity Prototype
Based on feedback, we streamlined our high-fidelity prototype to improve usability. Redundant 'chat' and 'community' options were removed from the homepage, as their functions were already covered by recipe comments and the 'explore' tab. The login page was redesigned with separate sections for logging in and signing up, while search filters were grouped into categories and enhanced with larger icons for better navigation. To ensure the design was intuitive, we conducted heuristic evaluations with three UX/UI experts, using predefined tasks that were kept undisclosed to gather unbiased insights.
Positive feedback highlighted the effective use of images as widgets and the horizontal scroll for food categories. However, concerns were raised about the lack of social features, making the platform feel more like a recipe site. Experts also noted issues with button interactions, impractical hover states for mobile, and the unintuitive dietary restriction toggle on the ‘Recipe’ page. Incorporating this feedback, we further refined Tastify’s UI to enhance usability and address these concerns.
On the opening screen, users can log in or sign up, with the option to sign in using affiliated accounts if available. For this walkthrough, we’ll assume the user already has an account, as our focus is on building an accessible and engaging cooking community.
On the opening screen, users can log in or sign up, with the option to sign in using affiliated accounts if available. For this walkthrough, we’ll assume the user already has an account, as our focus is on building an accessible and engaging cooking community.
On the opening screen, users can log in or sign up, with the option to sign in using affiliated accounts if available. For this walkthrough, we’ll assume the user already has an account, as our focus is on building an accessible and engaging cooking community.
Upon logging in, users are welcomed to their homepage, where they can view recipes shared by the accounts they follow. To access their own profile, users can click the human icon in the bottom menu, which displays their name, handle, followers, saved recipes, shares, and all their posted recipes. If users wish to create a new post, they can click the plus icon in the center of the bottom menu, which opens a template to input their recipe details.
Clicking the search button takes users to the explore page, where they can discover new recipes through personalized recommendations based on trends in their saved recipes. Users can also filter searches by food categories or use the search bar at the top to find specific recipes. Search results display a variety of user-posted recipes, with previews showing details like estimated cost, serving sizes, cooking time, and allergy warnings. If an allergy icon has a star, an alternative recipe option is available.
Clicking the search button takes users to the explore page, where they can discover new recipes through personalized recommendations based on trends in their saved recipes. Users can also filter searches by food categories or use the search bar at the top to find specific recipes. Search results display a variety of user-posted recipes, with previews showing details like estimated cost, serving sizes, cooking time, and allergy warnings. If an allergy icon has a star, an alternative recipe option is available.
Clicking the search button takes users to the explore page, where they can discover new recipes through personalized recommendations based on trends in their saved recipes. Users can also filter searches by food categories or use the search bar at the top to find specific recipes. Search results display a variety of user-posted recipes, with previews showing details like estimated cost, serving sizes, cooking time, and allergy warnings. If an allergy icon has a star, an alternative recipe option is available.
When following a recipe, users can switch to the alternative version if needed. To make instructions more user-friendly, steps are broken into pages, allowing users to flip through them one at a time for a smoother, less overwhelming experience.
When following a recipe, users can switch to the alternative version if needed. To make instructions more user-friendly, steps are broken into pages, allowing users to flip through them one at a time for a smoother, less overwhelming experience.
When following a recipe, users can switch to the alternative version if needed. To make instructions more user-friendly, steps are broken into pages, allowing users to flip through them one at a time for a smoother, less overwhelming experience.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Our project successfully tackled the shortcomings of existing cooking apps by creating a platform that prioritizes simplicity, usability, and community engagement. Through thorough user research and iterative design, we identified the need for a tool that not only provides accessible recipes but also fosters meaningful connections among cooking enthusiasts. Key improvements included streamlining the login process, enhancing search filters by grouping options, and organizing recipe instructions into manageable steps for a smoother user experience.
Our project successfully tackled the shortcomings of existing cooking apps by creating a platform that prioritizes simplicity, usability, and community engagement. Through thorough user research and iterative design, we identified the need for a tool that not only provides accessible recipes but also fosters meaningful connections among cooking enthusiasts. Key improvements included streamlining the login process, enhancing search filters by grouping options, and organizing recipe instructions into manageable steps for a smoother user experience.
Redundant features, such as the 'chat' and 'community' tabs, were removed to maintain clarity, while visual enhancements like larger icons and personalized recommendations improved navigation and accessibility. Positive feedback praised the effective use of visuals and horizontal scrolling for food categories, validating the app's strengths. By addressing user pain points and refining the design based on expert evaluations, Tastify achieves its goal of being a practical, engaging, and community-driven platform for novice and intermediate cooks.
Redundant features, such as the 'chat' and 'community' tabs, were removed to maintain clarity, while visual enhancements like larger icons and personalized recommendations improved navigation and accessibility. Positive feedback praised the effective use of visuals and horizontal scrolling for food categories, validating the app's strengths. By addressing user pain points and refining the design based on expert evaluations, Tastify achieves its goal of being a practical, engaging, and community-driven platform for novice and intermediate cooks.
Conclusion
Our project successfully tackled the shortcomings of existing cooking apps by creating a platform that prioritizes simplicity, usability, and community engagement. Through thorough user research and iterative design, we identified the need for a tool that not only provides accessible recipes but also fosters meaningful connections among cooking enthusiasts. Key improvements included streamlining the login process, enhancing search filters by grouping options, and organizing recipe instructions into manageable steps for a smoother user experience.
Redundant features, such as the 'chat' and 'community' tabs, were removed to maintain clarity, while visual enhancements like larger icons and personalized recommendations improved navigation and accessibility. Positive feedback praised the effective use of visuals and horizontal scrolling for food categories, validating the app's strengths. By addressing user pain points and refining the design based on expert evaluations, Tastify achieves its goal of being a practical, engaging, and community-driven platform for novice and intermediate cooks.
