As a student, I was deeply moved by a newspaper article reporting that 55% of Kingston University students regularly skip meals. Witnessing the impact of hunger on fellow students' mental and physical well-being sparked a personal drive to address this issue.
Access to nutritious meals is fundamental for academic success, and I was excited and curious about creating Budget Bites to provide practical solutions for students to prioritise their health and studies.
The project aimed to deliver a fully functional prototype of an iOS app using Figma. It incorporated holistic user experience features, complete with branding and a comprehensive design system, to address student hunger and provide accessible, nutritious meal-planning solutions for university students.
University students in the UK actively participated in the design and development process of Budget Bites, an app aimed at eliminating hunger among students by providing meal-planning assistance. The goal was to create a fully functional prototype in Figma with an in-depth report on design decisions, research documentation, and future references by May 3rd.
Budget Bites was successful because it achieved a minimum of 75% positive reviews on usability and overall experience. Additionally, success was measured by quantifiable metrics such as time and cost savings for students in grocery shopping, meal preparation, and reduced food wastage.
The initial version of the Budget Bites prototype was launched on April 1st for user review. If the positive feedback was below 75%, iterative improvements would be made, and a second version would be launched. Based on user reviews, recommendations for future enhancements were given by May 3rd.
The goal was to create a universally satisfying app experience by prioritising their feedback and cultural considerations.
Once the primary and secondary research was completed, I highlighted three major issues and solved them by creating a fully functional prototype in Figma.
The app development process actively involved the target audience of diverse university students by utilising collaborative tools such as Microsoft Teams, Google Sheets, Miro, Trello, and Figma.
Fig 1: Visual Abstract - to give you an overview of the idea.
Part 1
Recognising the effects of impulsive purchases and low-quality meals resulting from inadequate planning, I came up with a comprehensive solution. Through research encompassing user preferences and lifestyle factors, the app's algorithm generates personalised meal plans.
This process considers essential elements such as the user's health status, dietary preferences, budget constraints, time availability, diet goals, and cravings. By integrating these factors, the app empowers users with a clear understanding of their nutritional needs and culinary desires.
Proposed Solution
Upon onboarding, user can input their preferences and goals with guided assistance. The app then presents a tailored nutritional intake chart outlining daily consumption requirements. This proactive approach promotes healthier eating habits and mitigates the temptation for impulsive purchases.
Users can either accept AI-generated meal plans or curate their selections manually. By ensuring that all user requirements are met, Budget Bites minimises the likelihood of disappointment, fostering confidence in the planning process.
Fig 2: User-flow created with secondary research.
Part 2
Streamlining purchasing process
Budget Bites streamlines the purchasing process in response to inefficiencies caused by inadequate planning. By translating user-generated meal plans into accurately measured grocery lists, the app facilitates seamless shopping experiences.
Users receive detailed lists of required ingredients for the week, eliminating guesswork and reducing the risk of overspending.
Furthermore, Budget Bites provides price comparisons across multiple stores, empowering users to make decisions based on budgetary considerations. This functionality saves users valuable time and maximises cost-effectiveness, addressing critical pain points associated with grocery shopping.
Fig 3: Visual board to explain the current user flow, created with primary and secondary research.
Part 3
An enjoyable cooking experience
Acknowledging users' aspirations for enjoyable cooking experiences and flavorful meals, Budget Bites prioritises precision and engagement throughout the meal preparation process. By providing accurate ingredient measurements and timed cooking instructions, the app empowers users to create delicious dishes confidently. Each recipe is accompanied by step-by-step guidance presented in a checklist format, allowing users to track their progress and stay organised.
Additionally, Budget Bites offers post-cooking storage instructions, extending the longevity of prepared meals and reducing food waste.
Budget Bites incorporates gamification elements such as performance insights and health benefits to enhance user engagement. Users receive valuable feedback on their cooking efficiency and nutritional choices, fostering a sense of achievement and motivation. By catering to users' desire for both culinary mastery and health consciousness, Budget Bites delivers a holistic cooking experience that prioritises satisfaction and well-being.
Fig 4: Summary of affinity diagram, which helped me prioritise the areas to create an MVP.
Part 4
Timeline
The whole project took about 2.5 months to complete.
Purpose of Evaluation
To validate that the MVP features satisfy users with at least 75% positive reviews.
Tasks Involved in the Prototype
Onboarding and creating a meal plan
Exploring the grocery list
Completing meal prep and submitting feedback
How the Data Was Collected
Via remote interviews using Microsoft Teams and formative testing methods.
How It Was Analysed
With Formative Testing.
Aims
Are users able to complete the whole journey?
Is the information on the screens enough for users to make decisions and choose recipes?
Are the steps sufficient to achieve the goal?
Results
User Experience & Interface
Participants appreciated the organised and user-friendly interface and liked the subtle base colour scheme, emphasising food colours. They recommended adding brief text prompts for clarity and guidance.
High Priority
Feature Exploration & Functionality
Participants expressed the need for reminders to help them stay organised with meal planning and preparation. They appreciated the app's potential to simplify daily cooking and grocery planning tasks and recommended customisation options and sharing features to enhance user experience and convenience.
Mid Priority
Overall Satisfaction & Anticipation
Participants expressed satisfaction with the app's concept and functionality. They were eager for the app's launch and hoped to use it, expressing interest in its ability to save time and streamline meal planning and preparation tasks.
According to user insights and evaluation, the overall score of high-fidelity testing was around 80%, indicating that the prototype was a success but also highlighting areas for improvement.
Fig 5: Final Useflow.
Thank you for reading.
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