Project: AlternativeEats Mobile App/Website Design
Role: UX Researcher/Designer / Spring 2022
This project was for a User Experience Design course offered by Google. The objective of the study was to observe users as they interacted with the mobile app and website for AlternativeEats.
Tools used: Adobe, Zoom, marker and paper
Project Vision
The goal is to design the AlternativeEats mobile app and website to be user friendly by providing clear navigation and an interface that is not cluttered.
Challenges
1) Create a simple navigation menu that is easy to use
2) Update and modify information so it’s up-to-date
3) Present information users want and expect
Initial Research
To begin the research process I ran a usability test using two different sites, Allergy Eats and VeganMaps and their respective mobile apps to locate allergy friendly establishments. I presented users with a series of tasks and asked them to describe how they felt throughout the process. After, I took the information I gathered to generate research questions that would enable me to meet the research goals I had set.
“Who is the target audience?”
“Are users able to find key information with ease?”
“Where are users accessing the site/app?”
“Are there any parts where users are getting stuck?”
“Are users finding the information they need?”
Affinity Diagram
From my initial interview/usability testing, I used an affinity diagram to categorize the data into groups of tasks with additional quotes from participants. Observing the successes and issues users had while using the websites and the apps allowed me to have a better understanding of the improvements that needed to be made.
Meet the User
Problem statement:
Matt is a filmmaker who an app that can find nearby restaurants in his area that meet his dietary restrictions based on his current location Sometimes he works long shifts and cannot find a place to eat.
Journey Map
Findings
Often sites list too much or not enough info along with a busy design and a confusing navigation system, this negativity impacts the user flow generating a non-enjoyably experience for the user.
Wireframe
After sketching out some wireframes and taking into an account the users journey, I was able to make note of what elements should be added and what elements could be omitted.
Iterations
After drawing out the low fidelity wireframes and creating the prototype of the website, I prepared a survey questionnaire consisting of 10 questions for participants to fill out following the usability test. I asked 5 different participants to run through a series of tasks within the prototype in order to gather feedback to use for future design iterations.
Complex Navigation System
Navigation had too many drop-down options and it was difficult to move forward and backward between pages.
Inaccurate Information
Some restaurant listings contained information that was incorrect.
Questionable Allergy Friendliness
With no reviews or testimonial people are unsure of the company’s credibility and whether the restaurants listed are allergy safe.
CHALLENGE 1
Simple Navigation
A simple menu with fewer pages and no drop-down menus will make navigation easier for users. Additionally, users can easily return to a previous page by clicking on the arrow-text at the top of the page.
CHALLENGE 2
Suggest/Modify information
To keep the database of restaurants up-to-date, adding a “suggest a restaurant” and “update restaurant info” section on the website allows users to be in control of the information and its relevance.
CHALLENGE 3
Credibility
A review section allows users to know if the company or restaurant is reliable without needing to look at other outside sources for information, thereby improving their overall experience.
AlternativeEats App Walkthrough
Takeaways
Impact:
This website/mobile app helped users feel more informed about the allergy friendly locations in their area and allowed them to locate restaurants with ease.
What I learned:
I have learned that sometimes simplicity in design goes along way when creating a site that is functional and appealing.