Gourmand.
Crafting a User-Centric App for Food Enthusiasts.
A university project focusing on the organisation of information architecture to create a cutting-edge app designed for a seamless and intuitive user experience, while continuously adapting to meet users’ evolving needs.
UX Design Masters Course, Polimi. As the UX Designer and Researcher for this semester-long project, I utilised tools like Figma and Adobe XD to create an AI-driven, highly personalised app with intuitive interactions.
In a world where food enthusiasts lack a dedicated platform, there is a need for a seamless solution to share recipes, discover restaurants, and connect with fellow foodies.
Problem.
Solution.
Gourmand is an intuitive app that bridges this gap, offering a streamlined experience for culinary creativity, restaurant discovery, and foodie connections, all while prioritising user privacy.
Key Attributes.
— Foodie.
— Tech savvy.
— Active user - not a lurker.
— Avid social media user.
— High expectations for food.
User Insight.
Proto Persona.
Matt Jones — The tech savvy foodie.
37 years old — Programmer, Married.
Lives in San Diego, CA.
User Goals.
— Attaining recognition for culinary endeavor.
— Establishing a community of individuals with similar interests
— Maintaining privacy in personal life, affairs, and hobbies.
User Needs.
— Displaying the meals he cooks and consumes to friends and family.
— Connecting with individuals who share similar interests.
— Exchanging and discovering new recipes and dining spots.
— Receiving feedback on his culinary creations.
— Documenting the dishes he has prepared and the restaurants he has explored.
User Mental Model.
Being both a programmer and a dedicated social media enthusiast, he holds the app to high standards in terms of usability and flow.
An active user, he prioritises interaction and sees it as a crucial aspect of his experience.
He values maintaining a clear distinction between his personal life and hobbies.
Emphasising the significance of visuals, he rarely indulges in anything without capturing a picture first.
His primary goals include discovering restaurants and connecting with like-minded individuals.
Scenario.
Matt is a dedicated programmer who works from home and enjoys sharing daily snapshots of his culinary creations on Instagram.
On his designated cooking days, he collaborates with his wife by sending her in-progress pictures while she’s still at work. Frequently approached by friends for recipes and cooking advice, particularly for smoker techniques, Matt values engaging with other food enthusiasts.
As a tech-savvy iPhone user, Matt always keeps up with the latest gadgets. He’s active on Swarm, Instagram, Twitter, and his blog, sharing snippets of his personal and professional life. Despite juggling parenting responsibilities, including conference calls with his two-year-old daughter in tow, Matt remains passionate about food. He enjoys dining at top restaurants to capture and share his culinary adventures and connects with a local group of friends for foodie outings whenever possible.
Gourmand is designed for users like Matt, a passionate foodie, to share his favorite recipes and connect with a vibrant community of culinary enthusiasts.
It serves as a hub for exploring fresh recipes, discovering hot restaurant reviews, and engaging with like-minded food lovers. Whether documenting his creations or planning his next dining adventure, the platform is Matt’s ultimate companion for all things culinary.
A robust system designed to align with users' mental models, ensuring every interaction is intentional and intuitive. At Gourmand, success is measured by how effectively we meet user expectations and elevate their culinary experiences.
Reimagining Community & Discovery.
The System Behind Gourmand.
A digital haven for food enthusiasts, Gourmand is where creativity meets community. Share your signature recipes, uncover hidden culinary gems, and exchange insights with fellow foodies.
With its sleek, content-first approach, Gourmand transforms every dish into an opportunity to connect, inspire, and explore.
1–Building a Dynamic Foodie Community.
Craft a space designed for passionate food lovers to express themselves and foster meaningful connections outside of mainstream social platforms.
Our Vision: Objectives for Success.
2–Unlocking Discovery and Revenue Potential.
Enhance user experiences with innovative discovery tools and sustainable monetisation strategies.
Tracking Impact: Metrics That Matter
—Acquisition. 800 registered users, 300 DAU.
—Adoption. 70% posting rate, 60% group activity.
—Engagement. 3,000 DAU, 1,000 local business interactions.
—Referral. 60% recommendations, virality: 1.5.
—Activation. 60% locale finder usage.
—Revenue. 60% paid user conversion, higher ad revenue.
Ontology.
Reimagining Community and Discovery.
Gourmand is more than just an app; it’s a digital haven for food enthusiasts where creativity meets community. It’s a space to share your signature recipes, uncover hidden culinary gems, and exchange insights with fellow foodies. With its sleek, content-first approach, Gourmand transforms every dish into an opportunity to connect, inspire, and explore.
A robust ontology was developed for ‘Gourmand’ to align with users’ mental models, ensuring that every interaction is seamless and intuitive. At Gourmand, success isn’t just about functionality—it’s defined by how well user expectations are met and how their culinary experiences are elevated.
Choreography.
At Gourmand, every user interaction is carefully choreographed to ensure each action feels intentional and seamless.
User Interaction Flow.
From discovering new recipes to sharing culinary creations or connecting with fellow food enthusiasts, every step of the journey is designed to guide users effortlessly through the app. This flow of activities not only makes navigation intuitive but enhances the overall experience, keeping users engaged and immersed in the community.
By aligning with users’ mental models, the choreography creates a smooth, natural path that elevates their culinary journey and strengthens the connection between creativity and community.
Wireframes.
Blueprinting the Experience.
The wireframes lay the groundwork for Gourmand’s design, defining the structure and flow of the app. By focusing on functionality and user needs, these early visuals ensure an intuitive and engaging experience, seamlessly connecting users to the content and community.
Final UI Design.
Welcome and Sign-In Screens.
Primary Navigation Screens.
Bottom Tab Bar Screens.
The top bar navigation allows users to switch between key sections: Homepage, Dishes Feed, Recipes Feed, and Foodies List, each tailored for content discovery and interaction.
The design balances social engagement, personalised recommendations, and user-generated content, ensuring an intuitive and visually appealing experience. With a warm, minimal aesthetic and a structured hierarchy, the interface promotes ease of use while maintaining a strong brand identity.
The bottom bar tab focuses on community engagement, experience sharing, and restaurant discovery. Gourmand Community allows users to join food communities based on interests with personalised recommendations and social sharing features. Gourmand Experience showcases a visually rich feed where users can post and interact with dining experiences through likes, comments, and shares. Locale Finder features an interactive map displaying top-rated restaurants in the user’s area, making it easy to discover new spots with location-based recommendations. Designed with seamless navigation and immersive visuals, this section of the app encourages social interaction and culinary exploration.
