Understanding the User
User Research Summary
To gain deeper insights into users and their needs, I conducted interviews and subsequently developed empathy maps. Among the key user categories identified through this research were individuals who lack time to prepare food at home and seek affordable and diverse food options. Additionally, many of them expressed a preference for purchasing street food on their way home, citing its economic value and variety as compelling factors.
A primary user group identified was working adults who lack sufficient time and income. Participants ranged between 18 and 65 years old and expressed a desire to use the app frequently. The group comprised five males and females residing in the Netherlands.
Users engaged in tasks within a low-fidelity prototype during unmoderated usability testing. They encountered difficulties finding favorite dishes and food categories. They particularly enjoyed buying food according to a schedule and planning for the future. Additionally, some participants expressed that a link to the map to track the current location of the vendor after ordering for pick-up would be useful.
User Research Pain Points
Time: Daily orders from restaurants can be expensive, and with many people working overtime, they may not have the time to prepare their own lunch or dinner.
Accessibility: People's needs vary, so they require the ability to categorize or filter what they are searching for.
Function: People need to track the status of street food vendors and place orders.
Problem Statement
Persona: Arien van Delft
Arien, a busy employee, prefers purchasing street food for its quick preparation and affordability compared to restaurants. Additionally, he enjoys having dinner with his partner at home while watching TV.
User Journey Map
Goal: Finding the street food vendor, viewing the menu, quickly identifying favourite dishes, and placing orders should be easy and seamless.
Starting the Design
Paper Wireframes
Ensuring the finding of street food vendors by locations or menu and the organization of their menus into digital wireframes was meticulously crafted to directly address customer pain points. Through thorough iterations of every app screen, sketched out on paper, I refined the process to enhance user experience. Multiple search options were implemented not just to save time for consumers, but also to cater to a diverse range of preferences, ensuring vendors availability and inclusivity in the UX design.
Digital Wireframes
The home screen design was meticulously crafted to prioritize the primary needs of our users: locating street food vendors based on their proximity and the cuisines they offer.
Low-fidelity Prototype
Utilizing the finalized digital wireframes, I developed a low-fidelity prototype focusing on the primary user flow of finding vendors, viewing menus, and placing orders. This prototype was specifically designed to be employed in usability studies, allowing for comprehensive testing and refinement of the user experience.
Usability Studies
Two rounds of usability testing proved crucial for enhancing the user experience. Insights from the initial study guided refinements to wireframes and mockups, aligning them with user preferences. Subsequent research pinpointed areas for improvement, leading to the creation of a high-fidelity prototype. This advanced prototype, with detailed design elements and interactive features, facilitated a thorough evaluation of usability and satisfaction. Through iterative testing and refinement, the final product promises to deliver an intuitive and engaging experience for users.
Round 1 Findings
The majority of participants expressed a preference for having food categories displayed on the search results page.
Round 2 Findings
Feedback indicates that the placement of the back and hamburger menu at the top of certain pages is not optimal.
Refining the Design
Mockups
Displaying food categories on the search results page facilitates easy navigation and enables users to switch between categories effortlessly. This feature enhances user control and convenience, allowing individuals to explore different culinary options without leaving the search results page.
Adjusting the placement of the back and hamburger menu at the top of specific pages reflects a proactive response to user feedback, aiming to enhance navigation and usability.
High-fidelity Prototype
The final high-fidelity prototype features streamlined user flows and user-friendly language in the ordering and checkout processes. It addresses user needs by simplifying vendor discovery, enabling account creation, and allowing users to save favourite vendors. Enhanced customization options empower users to tailor their experience, aiming to deliver a seamless and satisfying user experience from start to finish.
Accessibility
1-Incorporated various search options like name, location, time, favorites, and food categories to enhance user experience and make the app more user-friendly.
2-Incorporated friendly writing throughout the app to improve user experience.
3-Using high-contrast colors for users who are vision impaired.
Going Forward
Takeaways
Impact: Users now have the chance to make street food their daily meal. With the app, they effortlessly find nearby vendors, saving time and effort.
One quote from peer feedback:
"This app is a game-changer! With so many options at my fingertips, ordering has never been easier. It's like having a personal street food guide right in my pocket, making life incredibly convenient."
What I Learned: I have learned that creating an intuitive and user-friendly interface is crucial for ensuring that users can easily navigate the app to find street food vendors. I have gained some meaningful insights into the importance of user research, prototyping, and testing to refine the design and improve usability. Collecting user feedback and analyzing app usage data has provided me with valuable insights for continuous improvement. I have acquired knowledge about the iterative design process, where I incorporate user feedback to refine features, fix issues, and enhance the overall user experience.
Next Steps
1-Add an option to street food vendors can register themselves on the app by providing basic information like their location, type of cuisine they offer, operating hours, and contact details.
2-Improve Reviews and Ratings system. It allow users to rate vendors on various aspects such as food quality, cleanliness, price, and customer service.
3-Add social sharing option to allow users to share their favorite vendors or dishes on social media platforms.
Maak jouw eigen website met JouwWeb