Recipe Boot Mobile App

Project Overview

Today cooking has become a necessary skill for all especially for working professionals who don’t live with their families.
Those who want to learn cooking find it very complex as they
need to know the recipe and spend time getting the right
ingredients. While there is YouTube to find recipes and delivery apps to get you the essentials you need, the whole process still
requires a good amount of effort, there is still scope to
simplify this experience for cooking enthusiasts.

The Product

Product Duration:

June 2023-September 2023

The Goal:

A lot people have difficulty in planning and organizing their meals especially Working professionals due to varying work hours and fatigue after work, couple with the fact that a vast number of recipes available online can be overwhelming, making it difficult for Cooking enthusiast to choose and organize. Difficulty in finding or gathering specific and sometimes rare ingredients for unique or international recipes.
Need for step-by-step guidance and tips to enhance their cooking skills and creativity.

Design a mobile app where people can order recipe boxes that come with a set of ingredient and the instructions to cook a particular dish.
Clearly define the entire business model and the users you would like to targets.

Role:

Responsibility:

UI/UX designer leading the app design from conception to delivery.

Conducting interviews, paper and digital wireframing, low and high-fidelity prototyping, conducting usability studies, accounting for accessibility, iterating on designs, determining information architecture, and responsive design.

Exploring the specific difficulties users face when selecting recipes. For example, are they overwhelmed by options, do they struggle with dietary restrictions, or are they unsure which recipes match their skill level?, Investigate if users have trouble finding or accessing ingredients, and whether they’re interested in recipes that use common or readily available items, Determine if time limitations affect their cooking habits. Do they avoid recipes that require long preparation times, or are they searching for quick meal options?, Identify if users have specific cuisine preferences or cultural influences that impact their recipe choices, Understand if dietary restrictions, health goals (like weight loss or fitness), or food allergies impact their choices and whether they prefer recipes that cater to these needs, Gauge their comfort level in the kitchen. Are they beginners who need step-by-step guidance, or are they experienced cooks seeking creative or advanced recipes?, Discover where users currently find recipes (e.g., websites, cookbooks, social media) and which sources they trust or find overwhelming, Look into what motivates their recipe choices. For instance, do they prioritize simplicity, cost, healthiness, flavor, or novelty?, Assess if they are using any apps or websites to discover recipes or assist with cooking, and what they find helpful or frustrating about these tools, Identify if users feel anxious or insecure about their cooking abilities, or if they have specific fears, like making mistakes or wasting food, Investigate if they struggle with time management in cooking, such as balancing multiple tasks or coordinating steps, Explore if they’d benefit from a tool that tailors recipes based on their dietary needs, preferred cuisine, or available ingredients, Determine if they need more detailed, step-by-step instructions or assistance with techniques and cooking basics, See if they would value recommendations for ingredient substitutions in case certain items are unavailable, Understand if they need help with planning meals ahead, organizing shopping lists, or managing pantry ingredients.
These insights helped me develop a comprehensive understanding of users’ needs and design a solution that addresses their recipe selection and cooking challenges effectively.

User Personas

Personas 1:

Sarah Johnson

Problem Statement

"sarah needs a convenient way to cook quick and healthy meals at home without the hassle of meal planning and grocery shopping, so she can maintain a balanced diet and save money."

Personas 2:

David Anderson

Problem Statement

David needs access to unique ingredients and creative recipes, along with a convenient way to discover new dishes, so he can experiment in the kitchen and refine his culinary skills.

Ideation

An audit of a few competitor’s products provided direction on gaps and opportunities to address with the Food Recipes app.

Focus on a simplified recipe experience with easy customization options based on user preferences (diet, cuisine, difficulty).

Prioritize screen-reader compatibility, clear navigation, and high-contrast visuals to ensure inclusivity.
Streamline the journey from recipe selection to cooking, with intuitive controls for each step.
Adopt a fresh, warm visual style with high-quality food images to evoke warmth and appetite appeal.
Create a friendly, approachable brand that encourages discovery, community, and ease of cooking.
Use an informative yet friendly tone with step-by-step instructions that are clear, engaging, and supportive.

Competitive Audit

This audit served as a strategic foundation for differentiating the app and creating a standout, user-centered experience in the food recipe app market.

Digital wireframes

After ideating and drafting some paper wireframes, I created the initial designs for the Food Recipe app. These designs focused on delivering personalized guidance to users to help manage their food.

Low-fidelity prototype

To prepare for usability testing, I created a low-fidelity prototype that connected the user flow of Adding a recipe box to cart.

Mockups

Based on the insights from the Low fidelity, I applied design changes like providing a clear section from the home screen to browse recipes that specifically use items available in “My Food”.

Low fidelity

Mockups

High-fidelity prototype

The high-fidelity prototype followed the same user flow as the low-fidelity prototype, including design changes made after the usability study. View the Recipe boot high-fidelity prototype

Accessibility considerations

By using Clear labels for interactive elements that can be read by screen readers, Using clear, concise language for instructions and descriptions to cater to users with cognitive impairments or non-native speakers. Maintaining a predictable structure throughout the app to reduce cognitive load. Include confirmation prompts for actions like placing an order. Designing large, well-spaced buttons and touch targets to reduce errors for users with motor impairments.