Ember Restaurant App Design
Challenge: Busy workers and commuters lack the time necessary to prepare a quality family meal.
Solution: Ember Restaurant allows users to easily order delicious, quality, customizable BBQ meals.
Research
I conducted interviews and created empathy maps to understand the users I’m designing for and their needs. A primary user group identified through research was busy adults who don’t have time to cook meals.
This user group confirmed initial assumptions about Ember’s customers, but research also revealed that time was not the only factor limiting users from cooking at home. Other user problems included customization frustrations and menu inconsistencies that made it difficult for users to order from restaurant apps.
My responsibilities included conducting interviews, paper and digital wire-framing, low and high-fidelity prototyping, conducting usability studies, accounting for accessibility, and iterating on designs.
Persona
User journey map
Key Insights
Starting the design
Paper wireframes
Taking the time to draft iterations of a screen on paper ensured that the elements that made it to digital wire frames would be well-suited to address users pain points. For the home screen, I've prioritized a quick and easy order process to help use or save time.
Digital wireframes
Passing initial design fees continued, I made sure to bass screen design on feedback and findings from the user research.
Digital wireframes
Easy navigation and customizable modifiable options was a key user need to address in the design in addition to equipping the app to work with assistive technologies.
Low-fidelity prototype
The low fidelity prototype connected the primary user flow of building and ordering barbecue, so the prototype could be used in a usability study with users.
View the Ember’s BBQ Restaurant Low-Fidelity Prototype
Refining the Design
Early designs of the study revealed confusion about the track order feature and what exactly it was tracking. To help, I created descriptions indicating that their order was complete, and what step of the tracking process they were in. I used an image of a loading bar and a sentence informing them that their “order is being cooked.”
During the user study participants indicated that they wanted either delivery options or clear indication that the restaurant was carryout only. To solve this, I create a “Switch to Pickup/Delivery” button that allows users to seamlessly switch delivery options.
High-fidelity prototype
The final high-fidelity prototype presented clearer user flow for ordering BBQ food and checking out. It also meant user’s needs for pickup or delivery options as well as more customization.
View the BBQ Restaurants App: High-fidelity prototype
Accessibility considerations
Going Forward
Impact:
The app makes users feel like Ember BBQ Restaurant really thinks about how to meet their needs.
One quote from peer feedback:
“It was pretty self explanatory! I loved the pictures, I loved colors behind it, the food looks really enticing, and so does the app itself overall, I think it was really good! There wasn’t anything that I necessarily disliked. It was quick and easy so that’s always a plus.”
What I learned:
I learned more than will fit into this wonderful text box. This experience truly helped me to empathise and focus on the end use. I was challenged to set aside my implicit biases, which included the notion that having a lot of options on a menu is daunting. Through user research, I was able to understand this incredible new and insightful perspective. I was also able to practice great new skills that will serve me greatly in my next journey.
Next Steps
Conduct another round of usability studies to validate whether the pain points users experienced have been effectively addressed.
Let’s connect!
Thank you for your time reviewing my work on the Ember BBQ Restaurant app! If you’d like to see more or get in touch, my contact information is provided below.
Email: omassaquoi14@gmail.com
Website: oliveux.com