Streamlined meal planning process through automation and AI
A mobile app solving meal planning challenges by automating the process and integrating AI assistance, providing a connected and efficient platform for users.
Product Design・Mobile App Design
Overview
Glow up is a mobile application aiming to address the challenges for grocery shopping. The app offers meal planning, generates grocery lists, and provides guidance on product selections, empowering users to navigate planning and shopping with confidence.
Timeline
Completed in 8 weeks (2023)
Team
Annie Chung (Product Designer)
Julia Yuye Jin (UX research Partner)
Mentor
Matt Beebe
Problem Space
Meal preparation is a complex and intimidated process for people lacking cooking skills
Meal preparation is a complex, multi-step process—from deciding what cuisine to cook, to creating and organizing a grocery list, and finally sourcing ingredients.
For those less experienced in the kitchen, this can feel daunting, especially when information is scattered across multiple platforms, making it difficult to find inspiration and quickly compile a well-organized shopping list.
Design Process: Where we began
Designing a Better In-Store Grocery Experience
to Address Frustration and Confusion
Research Process: In-field Study
Observation Showed Limited In-Store Information Leading to Inefficient Shopping Experiences
In-field observation in SF grocery store
To better understand the issue and context , I conduct ed in-field study and targeted on the popular grocery store in SF. We visited 3 grocery stores to observe consumers' behavior and physical layout in store.
Insight: Long phone scrolling time due to lack of informed information on the spot
We observed shoppers spending long periods in front of shelves, searching for product information on their phones. On-shelf details were limited to basic names, prices, and discounts, but shoppers needed more information to make informed decisions.
Research Process: In-depth Interview
Shopping Stress Caused by Poor Planning, Difficult Meal Choices, and Tedious List Creation
After identifying issues in the store, we wanted to explore further behind the scene. We conducted in-depth interviews with 6 people.
We discovered 2 main insights which showed the importance but also challenges in the process of meal planning.
Insight #1
Deciding what to cook is challenging for beginners. It demands significant energy and serves as a major barrier to efficient meal planning.
Insight #2
Creating a grocery list helps in navigating the store, but participants find it demanding, involving planning exact details and categorizing needs.
"If I have time, I would wrote down a list to know what I have to buy. It is super helpful for me."
- Yue, 26, busy worker
The Pivot of Design Direction
Many frustrations stem from the meal planning stage, not just the shopping experience
After conducting interviews and synthesizing research data, we uncovered a surprising insight: many user frustrations originate from the meal planning stage, not just the shopping experience. By streamlining decisions and simplifying list creation, we can significantly improve the entire grocery shopping journey and reduce user friction.
Design Approach
Design mobile app that offers a seamless and efficient experience from meal planning to grocery shopping.
Enhance user engagement and reduce manual input and friction during decision-making processes.
Leverage artificial intelligence to optimize and simplify complex tasks.
Design Solution
Personalized Recipe Inspiration
Our solution aids beginner cooks with personalized recipe recommendations, allowing streamlined meal planning. Users can filter suggestions by preferences or search keywords for inspiration.
Auto-Generated Grocery List
Our solution integrates recipe selection and shopping lists, streamlining meal planning for user convenience. Upon selecting recipes, the app automatically generates the required ingredient list.
AI-Driven Selection Guide
Our solution eases grocery selection stress with an AI chatbox offering personalized tips based on user input or barcode scans.
User Testing
Usability testing revealed user preference for greater flexibility and active recommendation, leading to effective planning
We conducted usability testing with 5 participants, iterating on the design based on their feedback. Key findings revealed a desire for greater flexibility between discovery and management, a preference for immediate recommendations over upfront decisions, and more visually appealing recipe content.
Iteration
From Linear Process To Explorational List Creation
Initially, we planned a linear meal planning flow with a progress bar guiding users from recipes to shopping lists. However, user testing revealed a desire for more flexibility, leading to the removal of the progress bar. Our design now offers adaptable pathways for personalized planning, allowing users direct access to lists without going through recipes.
From Preference filter To Active Recommendation
Initially, our recipe search relied on user-driven filters, such as diet, meal, or ingredients. User testing showed a preference for immediate recommendations over upfront decisions. We adjusted to offer automatic and personalized recipe suggestions based on user purchase history and recommendations.
Enhancing Layout For Improved Information Hierarchy
Enhance the recipe page layout by removing the progress bar, optimizing negative space, and enlarging food visuals. Additionally, reorganize the information hierarchy to prioritize essential preparation details, placing them upfront for improved visibility.
Final Design
