Fresh Finder
My Role
UX/UI Designer
Project
Personal Project
Duration
2 months (2023)
Tools Used
Figma, Adobe XD, Google Forms
In a world plagued by food insecurity and unequal access to fresh produce, Fresh Finder emerges as a beacon of hope, leveraging technology to bridge the gap between communities and nutritious food sources.
Understanding the Market and Our Users
Research Goals​
• Identify and analyze existing platforms and initiatives aimed at alleviating food insecurity and addressing food deserts
• Discover gaps and limitations in current platforms and initiatives that present opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Explore the day-to-day challenges and implications of food insecurity on individuals and communities
• Identify the pain points and frustrations experienced by users when attempting to access fresh and nutritious food in their communities
The Market
Opportunities for improvement
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Other GPS food locators do not include all community resources (free gardens and fridges)
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There is limited information about available locations (lacks user feedback, like reviews)
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There are limited resources to combat food deserts (current solutions do not address the barrier of lack of transportation)
The Users
What is causing food insecurity?
1
"Time, because to actually find the cheapest options you need to commute."
Time
2
"Getting rides to a store in another town can be difficult on top of the cost of the actual food itself"
Transportation
3
"Access in general is a big problem for me because I can't drive"
Location
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Low-income individuals
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Neighborhoods lack resources (food desert)
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No transportation
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Busy schedule, limited time
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Best suited for dedicated mobile app
User Group 1
Problem Statement
Mia, a working single mom, seeks affordable, fresh groceries or meals nearby for her children's balanced diet. Limited by budget constraints and time scarcity, she faces challenges navigating through expensive grocery options and coupon searches.
The fight against food insecurity is a collective effort
Of respondents would be open to participating in community events to improve access to fresh food near them
Desire to help
Of respondents would like unused space in their neighborhood to be converted into accessible food resources like a free garden or fridge
Need + Opportunity
Of respondents are not involved in their community because they do not know where to start
Not knowing where to start
User Group 2
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Working adults
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Medium to high income
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Desire to get involved in and better their community
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Want to address food insecurity
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Best suited for a responsive website
Problem Statement
Carl, a busy working adult, seeks a convenient means to engage with his community and contribute positively despite his hectic schedule. He requires an effortless way to discover and participate in community events and initiatives, as his limited free time prohibits extensive searching and planning on his own.
Ideas in Bloom:
Innovative Solutions for Accessible Food Networks
HMW fostering a sense of shared responsibility in addressing food insecurity?​
HMW connect individuals with community gardens and fridges, breaking down barriers to access?​​
HMW meet immediate needs but also facilitate long-term community resilience against food insecurity?
Dedicated Mobile App
User Group 1:
Our primary user group is directly affected by food insecurity and faces challenges such as lack of access and transportation
User Flow
Digital Wireframes
Problem:
Solution:
Outcome:
Lack of access & transportation exacerbates food insecurity
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Create a convenient way for users to request vital resources like community gardens or fridges in areas with urgent needs (food deserts)
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A simplified process of requesting goods empowers users to transform their neighborhoods and directly combat food deserts
Usability Testing
In response to user confusion and feedback from usability testing, I made the decision to relocate community events to a dedicated page within the Fresh Finder app.
This new page allows users to easily search for events in different areas, enhancing discoverability and accessibility.
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Community Events page
Some users expressed concern about having to provide their own information when requesting community resources, so this section was changed to optional instead of required.
Additionally an option to automatically fill this section with the same information as the user profile was added for convenience.
Enhancing user privacy
Dedicated Responsive Website
User Group 2:
User research revealed a second user group that was not directly affected by food insecurity, but had a desire to get involved in their community and help to address the problem.
User Flow
Site Map
Digital Wireframes
Homepage
The goal of this page was to immediately convey the ethos of positive change and community impact.
Recognizing the power of storytelling in eliciting empathy and engagement, the decision was made to prominently feature past projects.
By showcasing real-world examples of the impact our work has had on communities, I aim to inspire visitors and underscore the tangible difference they can make by getting involved.
By incorporating a dedicated 'About Us' page into the website wireframes, I aimed to offer users deeper insights into the company's mission and origins.
This page serves as a cornerstone of transparency and trust-building in the user experience journey.
Users are provided with context and understanding of the motivation behind the platform, fostering a sense of connection and credibility.
About Us Page
Usability Testing
User feedback prompted a strategic reordering of content in the desktop version.
Prioritizing 'Ways to Get Involved' over the food locator in response to user needs and preferences reflects a user-centered approach.
This adjustment ensures that the most relevant and impactful information is easily accessible, enhancing usability and fostering a stronger connection with users. By aligning content hierarchy with user priorities, the revised layout contributes to a more cohesive and engaging user experience.
Responsive Screen Size Variations
Homepage
Get Involved Page
Accessibility Considerations
01
Contrast Minimum
All colors meet the color contrast minimum requirement to be level AA compliant
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Language Options
Language options are included in the settings of the mobile app and on the top navigation bar of the website
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Iconograpghy
Mobile icons are accompanied by text to reduce ambiguity and make the content more accessible to more people
Takeaways
Fresh Finder embodies the transformative potential of design in fostering positive social change. Despite being a personal project that didn't progress to development, it serves as a meaningful exploration of technology's role in addressing societal challenges. While lacking metrics, its journey provided invaluable insights for future endeavors.
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The project underscored the importance of tailoring design to diverse user groups, leading to distinct approaches for the mobile app and responsive website. Despite differing focuses, a consistent brand identity ensured a cohesive product. This experience reaffirmed the necessity of adaptability and user-centered design in creating impactful solutions.
Next Steps
1. Prototype Refinement and Testing: Continuously iterate on the prototype based on user feedback and further usability testing. Refine features, improve usability, and validate the effectiveness of the platform in addressing user needs.
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2. Partnership and Collaboration: Explore partnerships with local organizations, food banks, and community initiatives to leverage existing resources and networks. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance the platform's relevance and reach within communities affected by food insecurity.
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3. Funding and Development: Seek funding opportunities to support the development and launch of Fresh Finder as a fully functional product. Secure resources and expertise to bring the platform to fruition, ensuring scalability and sustainability in addressing the challenges of food deserts.
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4. Advocacy and Awareness: Advocate for policy changes and initiatives aimed at addressing systemic issues contributing to food insecurity. Raise awareness about the importance of equitable access to fresh and nutritious food, leveraging the platform as a catalyst for social change and community empowerment.