Plantiverse Start up

Green Tech App

Duration

2 months

My Role

UI/UX Design  

Tools

Figma, Maze, Illustrator, Photoshop

Overview

The application Faworek is a conceptual idea of mobile application designed to connect users with the rich tapestry of traditional polish meals.

Why this idea?

This idea came up during my staying in foregin country. I wanted to recreate polish meals an I had a trouble finding true authentic recipes with limited sources of ingredients. I recognized an opportunity to create and conceptual idea for application that would not only help people to try traditional Polish recipes depending on their preferences (vegan, vegetarian) but also safe time during searching the recipes.

Problem statement

Difficulty finding an application devoted exclusively to polish recipes that is easy to use and which simplifies the process of searching and cooking new recipes.

The goal

The goal is to create an app and website that will help people with cooking polish meals to make it simpler and more accessible. The app will be focusing on giving the clear instructions and tips which can be useful during meal preparation. This app will promote and also preserve the richness of polish traditional cuisine.

User Research

My research constisted three parts:

Interviews

Competitor analysis

Survey

I did 5 interviews and gather data from people in age of 20-35

I analyzed 3 applications  and performed a SWOT analysis for each of them

I did survey with 15 participants from different countries

Interviews goals

I wanted to understand common challenges people face when trying to find polish recipes online and identify the most useful features which people need when they are searching for new polish recipes.

,,I would like to save my favourite recipes, because usually I forget recipes and where I found good recipe and I wish I had an option like this”

,,I think it would be nice if the application had options where we could change the portions, i.e. by default, when there are 4 people, it could be reduced or increased''

Competitor analysis

I used competition analysis to have a general idea of ​​how such applications are organized. I didn't find applications devoted exclusively to Polish recipes, so as a competitor, I took into account applications that contain some Polish recipes.

Survey

Conducting the survey gave me a lot of insight into what features to introduce to my application, which ones are of great importance to users, and which ones are not crucial.

User personas

Then I created 3 user personas to express all the information I gathered during my user research. Three of them have different approaches and needs of the app so I wanted to show this diversity.

Empathy map

Based on the information from the interview I created an empathy map to empathize with users much more.

Pain Points

1

2

3

4

No clear instructions

Cluttered layout

Lack of favourite feature

Limited cultural context

User Journey Map

Then I decided to create a user journey map, The goal was to find recipes based on the product having in the fridge.

Storyboard

To visualize much more user behavior I created two – big picture and close up picture. This gave me more insight what user might do when they will use my product. BTW I hope this drawing proves that I have a master of fine arts (:

Information architecture

User Flow

I created two user flows with two scenarios:
First Scenario - Olivia wants to find idea for a Sunday dinner with her family
Second Scenario - Alice wants to cook breakfast based on the ingredients left in the fridge: onion, eggs and sausage

Paper wireframes

I started my design phase by creating paper wireframes, which gave my basic sense of navigation in the app.

Digital wireframes

After creating the paper wireframes I created the digital one in Figma.

Usability testing

Then I created a prototype and decided to do a usability test in maze. The link for the test: https://t.maze.co/229299374
I prepared few tasks for users:
- Find a recipe with ,,onion'',
- Change your preparation to video mode,
- Change the language of app for english,
- Create categories in "favorite recipes" and add several recipes to it,

The main users problems:

After studying the open-ended questions and heatmaps I saw with what the users were struggling the most. The task about creating the category in favorite section was the hardest for users. Many of them struggled to find where the ,,favourite" section was placed in.

Idea for improvement:

Moodboard

My main inspiration was polish folklore and colors from the traditional costumes.

Styleguide

Components

App features

Final prototype

What I learned?

Importance of interviews

Process needs time

Components are my friends

Iterations are key

Before doing user research I didn't realize how important is to conduct interviews with at least a few users. I noticed before I had my biases and assumptions of the ,, perfect'' features of the app but in reality, they weren't that necessary. It helped me a lot to think about users first.

I didn't realize that conducting a thorough user research require patience and time. I also learned that this part of creating an app was the most crucial one. Without informations gathered in this phase designing a app will be very hollow.

Right now I can't imagine a design process without components. They are time saving and help with organizing the structure of app/website make it consistent. What I would do better next time is to start with basic elements (molecules) and then based on them create more complicated components.

Looking back to existed data and  creating usability testing are important phase for design. This steps can help create better products even if they required additional time.

Polish Recipes App

Green Tech App

Polish Recipes App

Duration

1 month

My Role

Prototyping, UX Design

Platform

Mobile

Overview

The application with Polish recipes is a conceptual idea of mobile application designed to connect users with the rich tapestry of traditional Polish meals. The app aims to show authentic recipes, regional specialties, and local establishments that celebrate Poland's diverse food culture.

Why this idea?

This idea came up during my stay in a foreign country. I wanted to recreate Polish meals and I had trouble finding true authentic recipes with limited sources of ingredients. There are plenty of websites but the diversity can be overwhelming and mostly they mix with different cuisines and require a lot of searching. I recognized an opportunity to create a conceptual idea for an application that would not only help people try traditional Polish recipes depending on their preferences(vegan, vegetarian), but also safe time while searching the recipes. ms to show authentic recipes, regional specialties, and local establishments that celebrate Poland's diverse food culture.

In-Depth Research

As a result of our research, we gathered three key insights that we used to guide the project:

1

User Research: Extensive interviews and surveys were conducted with over 1,000 participants across various demographics. Key findings included a widespread interest in sustainability but a lack of understanding of how to implement it.

2

Market Analysis: A thorough examination of existing apps revealed a gap in holistic solutions that combine information, tracking, community, and product recommendations.

3

Persona Development: Detailed personas were created, including "The Urban Eco-Warrior," "The Green Parent," and "The Sustainability Student," each with unique needs and motivations.

4

User Testing: Testing was created, including "The Urban Eco-Warrior," "The Green Parent," and "The Sustainability Student".

Survey

We conducted interviews, surveys and online research to develop our understanding of out potential customers base.

80% of participants responded in the affirmative.

80% of participants responded in the affirmative.

80% of participants responded in the affirmative.

80% of participants responded in the affirmative.

80% of participants responded in the affirmative.

80% of participants responded in the affirmative.

How Might We

We then conducted a How Might We design sprint to brainstorm solutions and narrow our focus to the most important components.

HMW connect people to the right resources
HMW engage informative conversations about the environment
HMW bridges the gap between consciousness and practical, everyday action
HMW people come to agreements
HMW strengthen people connection to their environment

Design Process

Comprehensive Design Process

Information Architecture

Carefully structured to provide an intuitive user journey, balancing educational content, interactive features, and community engagement.

Wireframing and Prototyping

Early wireframes led to interactive prototypes, which were tested and iterated on. This phase was crucial for refining user flows and interface elements.

User Interface Design

Focused on creating a visually appealing and emotionally engaging experience. The design incorporated nature-inspired themes, intuitive icons, and an easy-to-navigate layout.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Special attention was given to making the app accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Features like screen reader compatibility, color blindness modes, and scalable text were included.

Comparison

The changes made to the interface

Before

After

Launch Strategy

The launch of Greentech App was preceded by a strategic marketing campaign. We leveraged social media influencers in the environmental sphere to generate pre-launch buzz. The beta version of the app provided us with critical user feedback, leading to final refinements before the official launch. The launch strategy was robust, combining online marketing efforts with partnerships with environmental organizations to reach a broader audience.

Post-Launch Strategy

Post-launch, we closely monitored user engagement and app performance. The app quickly gained popularity, evidenced by its download numbers and active user rates. However, our journey didn't stop at launch. We continually collected user feedback, leading to several updates that improved user experience and expanded app functionalities.

Conclusion

The journey of the Greentech App, from its inception to becoming a pivotal tool in the hands of environmentally conscious users, exemplifies the impact of user-centered design and agile development practices. It has evolved from a simple app into a platform that fosters a community deeply invested in sustainability. The Greentech App is more than just a product; it's a testament to how technology can be harnessed to drive positive change and promote a more sustainable way of living.