Bella's Bakery & Cafe App Project
Overview
What i did
Duration: 3 Months
I created the bakery app to attract and retain customers in a mobile system. We noticed that our competitors offered limited customizations in mobile app cake orders for their customers, and we want to expand on these options and include a visual depiction of the user’s cake design. We want to create a product that can compete in the market, improve sales, and increase customer satisfaction.
Responsibilities
Performed research about the product and users. Developed wireframes, and prototypes. Performed usability studies.
The Problem
The Bakery wants an app that allows its customers to easily order from their menu, including customized cake orders.
The Goal
The goal is to design an app that users enjoy ordering from, and that facilitates customized cake orders.
User Research
I conducted interviews and created empathy maps to understand the users I am designing for. A primary user identified, through this research, were users who had dietary restrictions.
Prior to researching, I assumed that many users would prefer to customize their cake orders and that a computer-generated image of their order would be helpful to them. The interviews confirmed that an image of their order would be an incentive to choose that order platform over another.
Further, many users also wanted an app that would allow them to order based on dietary needs. They preferred options that would allow them to easily know the ingredients in their order, and limit menus based on ingredients they chose not to order.
Users also mentioned disliking when bakeries do not understand their order, or run into compilations while fulfilling the order, but are unable to contact them.
Design/Low-Fidelity Prototype
I began with paper wireframes.
Using Figma, I created digital wireframes and built a low-fidelity prototype.
Usability Research
Refine/High-Fidelity Mockup
I began refining the low-fidelity prototype based on usability study findings and began creating high-fidelity mockups in Figma. I utilized a sticker sheet to improve the design process and save time.
After another round of usability studies, I further refined the mockup, adjusting with accesibility features in mind.
Prototype for Ordering A Custom Cake:
Conclusion
Impact
Users enjoy the concept and would likely use the app to place orders. One user said, “I like being able to just order my cake and pick it up. With the picture there, I can tell what my cake will look like and spend time creating what I want. Sometimes, I feel pressured in the bakery to hurry up my order. This way I could just play with the design until I like it.”
What I Learned
I learned a lot about using Figma to design prototypes. Accessibility plays a key part in how successful designs are. User studies improve designs by gaining feedback from real potential users and applying that feedback.