KitchenMate Case Study
Context
Roles and Responsibilities:
User Research: Interviews, Contextual Inquiries, Affinity mapping, User Journeys, Personas
Design: Ideation, brainstorming, Point of View Statements, Scenarios and Storyboarding, Sketching, Wireframing
Evaluation: Usability testing
Project Context:
October 2022 - December 2022 (9 weeks)
Group project for Interaction Design module on MSc Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
Team: Karen Sonego, Vikrant Gurav, Jung Eun Kim, Vidya Parthasarathy
Tools Used:
Figma
Miro
Procreate
Canva
Problem
As part of the Interaction Design module for HCI MSc at City University London, students were divided into teams and provided a design brief to create the KitchenMate app for the Amazon Echo Show device.
The app aimed to improve users' diets and make them more mindful of the environmental impact of their food choices. We were allowed to assume that the Echo Show now has the capability to support apps, and we were encouraged to design an application rather than just widgets.
Our users main problems:
Wanting to eat healthily but couldn't find recipes that considered their needs.
People wanted to be more sustainable but lacked the knowledge of what to do.
Users have a large problem with food wastage for different reasons.
solution
Our solution - integrate personalised recipes, sustainability education, and pantry management, to help foster healthier and eco-conscious lifestyles for users.
Our Approach
User Research
In order to develop a design that truly resonates with our users, we began the design process by conducting user research, aiming to empathise with the users and acquire a more profound comprehension of their behaviors and needs. To achieve this, we opted for contextual inquiry and semi-structured interviews as our primary methods for gathering insightful qualitative data
Data Analysis
To uncover user needs and pain points, and evaluate potential design directions, we began analyzing the data through affinity diagramming using Miro. We documented noteworthy findings from our research on individual sticky notes and subsequently grouped similar observations into categories. We then assigned names to each category and summarized key insights.
Key Insights
Based on our affinity map, we identified three major themes that significantly impacted users' ability to maintain a healthy and sustainable diet.
Personas & User Journeys
We created three personas based on our key insights and major user groups. The personas included the user’s frustrations, needs, and goals. We also developed user journeys for each persona to identify pain points, opportunities and design solution.
Design
By acknowledging the unique needs and goals of each persona, we conducted brainstorming sessions to generate app ideas customized to their preferences. Our conceptual design process, which involved creating storyboards, persona-specific scenarios, and point-of-view statements, guided us in developing the app's functionality and key features tailored to meet the diverse requirements of our users. Below is an example of one of the storyboards that I drew.
detailed design
We progressed into the detailed design process, creating wireframes and low-fidelity sketches, refining the design based on feedback, and iterating until high-fidelity wireframes were achieved. This holistic approach, rooted in understanding user preferences, allowed us to develop an app with tailored functionality and key features catering to diverse requirements.
Evaluation and setbacks
Our team conducted in-person user testing with 6 participants, utilising our Figma prototype. The tasks centered on sustainable living and healthy eating, with users prompted to think aloud during testing. Overall the feedback was positive, highlighting the app's value, user-friendliness, and enjoyable experience however there where a few improvements we needed to make.
the final product
reflection
This project has been a truly enlightening experience for me, as my first-ever UX project, teaching me valuable lessons in the UX process. Here are some of the key personal takeaways and areas for improvement:
Quickly mastering design tools in a limited timeframe: Although we didn't have much time for this project, I successfully learned how to use a variety of design tools in a short amount of time. This experience has shown me that I can adapt quickly and be resourceful when faced with time constraints.
Diversify research methods and expand user testing scope: While I found the user research for Kitchen Mate to be effective, I realized the importance of adopting a wider range of research techniques and testing with a larger user group. In the future, I plan to combine multiple techniques such as surveys, diary studies, and competitive analysis with interviews and contextual inquiries, to gain more valuable insights.
Experiment with different ideation approaches: I learned that brainstorming alone might not be enough to generate truly innovative ideas. Moving forward, I intend to experiment with various ideation techniques like mind mapping, worst possible idea, and SCAMPER to spark creativity and develop unique solutions.
Embrace ongoing iteration, evaluation, and user engagement: Throughout the Kitchen Mate project, I experienced the value of iterating and refining designs multiple times before finalizing the product. I now understand the importance of continuous testing and improvement based on user feedback and analytics, even after the app's launch. To ensure the app remains effective and meets users' expectations, I will involve users in the design process and conduct user testing sessions at various stages in future projects
For more inquiries or to have a chat, feel free to reach out to me at Ruwaydahshariffali@outlook.com ☺️
