Decision Fatigue Leads to Reliance on Food Delivery Over Cooking
Problem
With busy schedules and limited energy in the day, decision fatigue over “what should I eat?” can easily be solved with the ease of food delivery apps or quick convenient meals, many of which are unhealthy and costly.
Make Preparing a Meal Feel like a Game
Solution
Badge System Increased Likelihood to Skip the Food Delivery Apps
Impact
Positive User Experience: After testing, 80% of users reported that Pantry Buddy’s design and flow made meal planning easier, therefore not needing to use Food Delivery Apps like Uber Eats.
Increased Motivation: 60% of users stated that the badge system motivated them to cook more frequently at home, highlighting the potential of gamification to encourage consistent engagement.
Competitors Do Not Engage Users
Competitor Research
To explore how existing apps support meal planning, I analyzed KitchenPal, Cooklist, and Supercook. Each app offered unique methods for inputting ingredients but shared the core function of generating recipes based on kitchen inventory. I noted common strengths and identified opportunities, such as improved inventory management and alternatives to manual input. However, despite numerous available recipes online and mobile apps, many individuals still lack the motivation to start cooking.
I conducted interviews with a diverse group of participants ranging from their 20s to 60s, focusing on their cooking habits and lifestyle. Across all generations, 60% reported that they felt unmotivated, preventing engagement with cooking apps. Additionally, many expressed that despite access to numerous recipes, the initial motivation to cook often felt missing. These insights highlighted the need for features that simplify decision-making and encourage users to see cooking as a more engaging and manageable activity.
Users of All Generations Seek Motivation
User Research
Creating User Flows for Testing
User Flow
To validate Pantry Buddy's core features, I conducted usability tests with users with moderated testing via Zoom. I was able to observe in real time what users were naturally drawn to, and if they were able to complete the test prompt given to achieve the happy path user flow.
3 Main Improvements after Usability Testing
Iterations
Based on testing feedback, I made targeted updates to enhance clarity and user motivation. The History section was removed to streamline navigation, while a progression bar and greyed-out badges were added to make “Badges to Earn” visually clear, reinforcing the gamified cooking experience.
Energizing The Design with Brand Identity
Branding
Inspired by insights from user research, Pantry Buddy's branding is crafted to energize and engage users. I opted for a vibrant and inviting color palette to evoke warmth, energy, and positivity, aiming to excite users about cooking at home with Pantry Buddy.
Initially, I tried creating a mascot inspired by retro elements but faced challenges in illustrating a scalable design. As a result, I chose a simpler approach: a logo featuring a spoon and plate with retro-inspired text designed on Adobe Illustrator.
The Pantry Buddy App
Final Prototype
The final prototype integrates user feedback to create a streamlined and engaging experience. With refined navigation, clear badge progression, and gamified elements, the prototype effectively supports users in managing their ingredients and cooking more at home.
Figma Protoype
Conclusion
Moving Forward
Inspired by the rising costs of food delivery, I designed Pantry Buddy to encourage home cooking as a way to save money. I led this project by empathizing with how to motivate users to engage with Pantry Buddy, rather than assuming engagement by default. This approach allowed me to think creatively, exploring design systems such as gamification and delving into AR/VR concepts to enhance user friendliness by streamlining information input.
My background as a Business Analyst shaped my approach, keeping technical feasibility in mind and recognizing the balance engineers must strike when implementing designs. This perspective led me to focus on practical task flows, such as automated inventory updates post-recipe completion. Future improvements could include gamification expansions, monetized incentives, and features like trending recipe filters and delivery app comparisons to further engage users.