SavR Recipe App Redesign

Recipe and Cooking

Summary: This is a redesign project for a recipe app to make it more engaging for customers.

My role: I alone completed the research, design and testing for the project.



Problem

There is a need to create a better experience for users/customers of the Savr Recipe app who have chosen a recipe and are ready to start following the cooking directions.

Solution

The updated recipe app seeks to create a better cooking experience for users by providing a well organized method to follow recipes and prepare meals while having the option to view directions as step-by-step videos to ensure accurate results. The process used is a modified Google Ventures design sprint created to rapidly map, plan and test ideas within 5 days.







Day 1 - Map the problem

Insights

Users like to follow new recipes with the intention of learning how to cook new dishes and learning new cooking techniques. They would like to be able to easily follow recipes and have the dishes come out as expected. Currently, users cannot tell if they are on the right track when they are preparing a recipe, especially with more complex recipes. There is no way to tell if they are making a mistake at each stage and what is to be expected. There is also an interest in being time efficient, and being able to best manage time while cooking. Customers would also prefer not to have to refer back to their phone for every step of the process.

Map

I began by creating a map to represent the process that the customer would use to create a recipe while they were interacting with the app.




Day 2 - Sketches

Exploring Recipe Apps

From exploring recipe apps, I discovered that many of them have similar features that are helpful during cooking. The ability to create a shopping list, videos showing the technique, ingredients listed separate from directions and step by step instructions among other things. Some even have unique features, like the ability to order groceries online to be delivered.

Sketches

I used a process called the Crazy 8 Screen Sketches to sketch ideas for the most critical screen of the app. From this activity, I decided that the recipe instructions screen was the most critical as it is where users reported the most issues. This is where it is important that users are able to follow the recipe in a simple manner and see a visual comparison to what the recipe should look like.

From there, I created a 3 panel screen that included the solution sketch in the middle and the screens that would come before and after this sketch. Users would have the option to view the recipe as a list with small pictures, or to click through each individual step to get a detailed video of that particular step.




Day 3 - Decide and Storyboard

Users reported that they often get lost in recipes and get stuck when they don’t know how to do a requested cooking technique. I decided to proceed with the solution that allowed them to see various photos and videos of the recipe so that they would have the option to either follow the recipe in a quick list format or click on the associated picture to see a visual step-by-step walkthrough of the recipe.

During this process, the user begins by clicking on a recipe from the home screen. From there, they get to a summary screen, where they can read a summary and decide whether to make it or go back to the homescreen. If they choose to make it, they are taken to ingredients, then directions with option to click on a picture in order to see a clear step-by-step method of viewing the directions. Finally, they have a picture at the end to compare their own food.




Day 4 - Prototype

Based off of the sketches from yesterday, I created a Sketch prototype of the new Savr Recipe screens. The goal for testing the prototype is to determine if the main red route is understandable and can easily be followed by customers. I also hope to learn what else people believe should be included in the cooking app.

For the prototype, I added more screens to the step-by-step directions to simulate going through the actual recipe. I chose a light peach background and color scheme because I wanted to approach the appetite stimulating color effects of red, but with less of the intensity so that the reds don’t venture into becoming warning colors.

Prototype Link




Day 5 - Validate

I performed usability testing for the recipe app using in-person moderated testing. The main goals of the test was to uncover any usability problems in the red route design of the app, to make sure that users understood the process, and to fill in any holes pertaining to what may be expected in a recipe app. Participants were all ages and included people that cooked at least once a week, regularly followed new recipes and were comfortable using smartphones. Five people were tested and were recruited from among friends and family.

Results from testing

What worked:

  1. 1. Simple Design. Testers reported that they liked how simple the app was and how everything was laid out for them. “I like how it goes straight to the point”. Reportedly, other recipe apps often have lots of ads to navigate through or require clicking multiple times and it was appreciated having all of the main options available on the home screen.
  2. 2. Categories. Testers repeatedly mentioned that they liked how the recipes were organized into categories which made recipes easier to browse.
  3. 3. Visual Design. Test participants really enjoyed the visual design of the app and commented that it was pleasant to look at and interact with.

Issues:

  1. 1. Confusion when leading to the step-by-step directions. A pattern began to emerge that users were often confused as to what to do after viewing the directions. It was reported that the “click for step-by-step” instruction was confusing. I discovered that this was a step that was not as obvious to participants as I had anticipated.
  2. 2. Need for more tips/ experience of other people. The app does include videos of each step of the recipe process, however feedback from testing indicated that they would like to see more photos and tips from other regular people that may have tried the recipe. I was surprised to learn that users felt more confident trying new recipes when they could see the successes of other people.



Future Iterations

For future Iterations, I would like to address some of the issues brought up during user testing. For one, I would like to provide a clearer flow from the overall directions to the step-by-step directions. I discovered through testing that this is a step that needs to be better explained and/or designed for customers. I would also like to add a social media component so that they can receive tips and view the results of others and compare those results to their own. I initially assumed that people would prefer a simple app without the social media component, but I learned that it can be helpful to see the attempts and tips of others.