MealGen
Problem Statement
Food waste is a major issue, with an estimated 30-40% of food in the United States going to waste each year. One of the main causes of food waste is overbuying and forgetting about food that's already in the fridge or pantry. Additionally, many people struggle with meal planning and finding recipes that use up the ingredients they already have.
Overview
I was tasked with creating a mobile app that would help users keep track of the food they already have at home and suggest recipes based on those ingredients. The goal was to help users reduce food waste, save money on groceries, and simplify meal planning.
My Role
I was the sole UX designer on the project so I was responsible for defining the problem, conducting user research, defining user personas, developing user flows, wireframes, and prototypes, conducting usability testing, and iterating on designs.
User Research
To better understand the needs of users, I conducted user interviews and surveys. I found that many users struggle with meal planning and often end up throwing away food that has gone bad. Additionally, users expressed frustration with recipe websites and apps that require them to manually enter the ingredients they have, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.
User Personas
Based on the interviews we set up three personas. We referred to them throughout the entire product development process.
It was decided that personas were going to be needed early on this the process, so this was one of the first things we did.
The information provided on the personas was decided by figuring out which aspects would affect how the user uses the app such as their goals and frustrations.
We constantly would refer to our personas throughout the entirety of the project to ensure we were on track with our target audience.
Planning
Based on the insights gathered during the discovery phase, I create a plan for the app's features, user flow, and information architecture. I also create a content strategy that would include how to label food items, how to communicate expiration dates, and how to present recipes.
Content Strategy
The content strategy for this app focuses on providing valuable and useful content that helps users save time, reduce food waste, and discover new and healthy recipes. By providing content that resonates with the target audience, and distributing it effectively across various channels, the app will increase user engagement and satisfaction, ultimately leading to increased app downloads, user referrals, and social media engagement.
Design Process
Based on my research, I designed a mobile app that uses the phone's camera to scan barcodes of food items and automatically adds them to the user's inventory. The app also allows users to manually enter items and set expiration dates. To suggest recipes based on the ingredients the user has on hand, the app uses machine learning algorithms to analyze the user's inventory and suggest recipes that use up the items that are closest to their expiration dates.
I created wireframes and prototypes of the app using Adobe XD, and conducted usability testing to refine the design. I also collaborated with developers and product management to ensure that the app was technically feasible.
The home screen includes a recipe section where the user can browse recipes, save favorites, and view recipes that use up the ingredients they already have.
Discovery
Solution
Final Design
I create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs for the app, using Adobe XD. I also create a visual design system that includes typography, color, icons, and other visual elements to ensure a consistent and cohesive user experience. The final app allows users to easily track the food they have at home, and suggests recipes based on those ingredients.
The Saved Recipes page displays a list of the user’s saved recipes by date added. The user can tap on an item to view more details, remove recipes, and search saved recipes.
The Details screen on a recipe provides the user with cooking instructions, a step-by-step video, list of ingredients, cooking time and difficulty, and the ability to save the recipe.
The Pantry page displays a list of the user's inventory, sorted alphabetically. The user can tap on an item to view more details, such as the purchase date and any recipes that use that item.
User Flow Chart
By defining a user flow, I was able to better understand how users will potentially interact with the MealGen app, and was able to use this understanding to make informed decisions about the design, functionality, and content of the application. The ultimate goal was to create a positive user experience by guiding users through the application or website in a clear and intuitive way, so they can achieve their goals and complete tasks with ease.
Design
Results
After launching the app, we saw a 20% increase in user engagement compared to similar meal planning apps. Users reported that the app helped them reduce food waste and save money on groceries, and they appreciated the convenience of having recipe suggestions based on the ingredients they already had at home.
Reflection
Takeaways
Looking back, I learned the importance of understanding the user's pain points and designing a solution that simplifies their lives. I also learned the importance of collaborating with developers to ensure that the app was technically feasible and scalable. In the future, I would like to explore more ways to improve the recipe suggestions and personalize them to each user's tastes and dietary preferences.
Goal
Reduce the amount of food waste, reduce time spent planning meals, save money by using what you already have.
Target Audience
The target audience is typically people who are interested in reducing food waste and saving time and money on grocery shopping and meal planning. This audience could include:
Busy Professionals
People who have busy schedules and little time to plan meals or go grocery shopping. These individuals would benefit from an app that helps them save time and reduce food waste by suggesting recipes based on the ingredients they already have.
Health-Conscious Consumer
People who are interested in healthy eating and meal planning. These individuals would benefit from an app that suggests healthy recipes based on the ingredients they already have, making it easy to plan and prepare healthy meals at home.
Budget-Conscious Consumer
People who are interested in saving money on groceries and reducing food waste. By using an app to track their inventory and suggest recipes, these individuals could reduce their food waste and save money on groceries by using up ingredients that they already have.
Sustainable Living Enthusiasts
People who are interested in reducing their environmental impact and living sustainably. By reducing food waste and using up the ingredients they already have, these individuals could reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable food system.
Objective
Design a meal prep app that allows users to input what they currently have in a easy and efficient way in order to reduce time spent planning and cooking meals.