Zero Waste Kitchen

Zero Waste Kitchen

Zero Waste Kitchen

Waste Less, Taste More. Recipes from your pantry to your plate.

iOS & Android Native App

UI/UX Case Study

April - May, 2024

Got time to take a deep dive?

This case study has been condensed to save you time.

Click below to view the more in-depth version on Behance.

Goal

To design the iOS and Android version of a recipe mobile app that helps users stay organised in the kitchen, in order to prevent household food waste.

Role

This project was a part of the UI Design course I took at CareerFoundry, and, therefore, I was the sole designer, taking on every aspect of the process.

The Purpose

Let’s tackle food waste

Are we buying too much and eating too little? I have a real problem with letting food go to waste and, judging by these stats, I’m not alone.


That’s why I wanted to create an app that not only provides cooking recipes, but suggests which ones to cook based on what food is due to expire first.

It’s estimated that the food waste coming from households alone amounts to 74kg per person each year.


8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed.

UNEP’s Food Waste Index Report.

It’s estimated that the food waste coming from households alone amounts to 74kg per person each year.


8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed.

UNEP’s Food Waste Index Report.

It’s estimated that the food waste coming from households alone amounts to 74kg per person each year.


8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed.

UNEP’s Food Waste Index Report.

The Objective

What’s the solution?

Zero Waste Kitchen aims to help users keep track of what’s coming in and out of their kitchen.

Unlike it’s competitors, this app has expiry date tracking, an integrated shopping list, and suggested recipes based on recent purchases and ingredient expiry dates.

User Flow Diagram

Why Native & Not A Web App?

  • Shopping lists can still be accessed at supermarkets with poor connection.


  • Push notifications can be sent when fresh produce is about to expire.


  • Cognitive load reduced by following iOS and Material Design guidelines.

User Feedback & Testing

Participants’ main concerns were with the expiry date icons on the Pantry and Recipe pages.

They expressed issue with the expiry date icons:

  • confusing users

  • not being accessible

  • looking similar to material design’s progress indicators



“What info is the circle showing?”


“Love these circles but I am confused as to what info they represent?”


“Personally, it would be really useful to me if the Pantry section with the different food expiry dates was colour coded. I find it a lot easier to visualise like that than to judge the little bars. I guess a percentage would also work but I would prefer colours.”

Feedback Solution

Icons revised with clarity of meaning, accessibility and brand consistency in mind. They are now colour coded, so time indication is a lot clearer. And the circle percentage bigger to be more legible to users with colour blindness.

Expired Icon Adjustments

It didn’t make sense for the expired icon to still have “time on the clock” if already expired. So, an exclamation point icon was used instead to help expired food to stand out and inform the user to take action.

High-Fidelity Wireframes

Profile

A section of the app where users can view their saved recipes, adjust their dietary requirements and, amend their account settings.

Sign up & onboarding

The onboarding screens increase product learnability, so the user can jump right in.

Recipes

Recipes suggested to users based on their recent purchases, when items are due to expire & previously saved recipes.

Shopping List

Before the shopping list is populated, the user is presented an empty slate screen.

Pantry

The user can be notified when something is due to expire or has expired, to help reduce their food waste.

They can also search their pantry to see if they have an item before adding it to the shopping list.

Project Retrospective

What went well?

The user testing really helped me to see issues that I had overlooked, and to get my app to a place where I’m a lot more happy with it.


I also think taking my time during the wireframing stage helped me stick to iOS and material guidelines without rushing into styling and prototyping.

What Would I Change?

I think a dashboard/ homepage could improve the app. Somewhere the user would land after logging in, that gives an overview of the whole app.


This could include sections that show one or two suggested recipes, what items are about to expire and shopping list suggestions, all on one screen.

Future Iterations

Explore what the screens for scanning receipts and vocal list population look like.

Potential to make a version of the app compatible with Smart Fridges.

Let's Connect

Got space for me on your team or think we should collaborate? Contact me

Copyright © 2024 Jess Cope | All Rights Reserved

Let's Connect

Got space for me on your team or think we should collaborate? Contact me

Copyright © 2024 Jess Cope | All Rights Reserved

Let's Connect

Got space for me on your team or think we should collaborate? Contact me

Copyright © 2024 Jess Cope

All Rights Reserved