Platemate
UI / UX Design, Research and Analysis
Platemate is a multi-functional restaurant discovery platform for mobile and desktop that encourages users to explore new restaurants and dishes and engage with other users.
August - November 2023
Team: Judy Tan, Julia Wong, Prue Steadson
01. Overview
Platemate is a multi-functional restaurant discovery platform designed to streamline the process of finding new dining experiences. It aims to solve the challenges young adults face in selecting restaurants by providing a centralized, user-friendly platform that offers extensive filtering options and social features.
02. Problem
Context: Many young adults encounter significant challenges when selecting a restaurant for dining out due to the absence of a centralized and comprehensive restaurant platform. This lack of a user-friendly platform hinders their ability to efficiently navigate the overwhelming number of dining options available and limits their capacity to make informed choices based on personal preferences and criteria.
Challenges:
Time-consuming process of finding a suitable restaurant.
Outdated digital platforms with inaccurate restaurant details and poor UI.
Lack of inclusive design that considers diverse dietary preferences and needs.
03. Design Process
Research:
Conducted 8 semi-structured interviews, 26 questionnaire responses, 3 focus groups, 8 contextual observations, and 6 contextual inquiries to gather user insights.
Developed user personas and storyboards based on the research findings to identify key user needs and pain points.
Concept Development:
Ideation methods included Crazy 8's, reverse thinking, brainstorming, and storyboarding.
Created three initial concepts and selected the strongest one using a decision matrix.
Prototyping and Testing:
Developed low-fidelity sketches and wireframes, followed by mid-fidelity mockups using Figma.
Conducted usability testing with both users and experts, employing methods like think-aloud protocols and cognitive walkthroughs.
Refined the design based on feedback, addressing issues such as visual hierarchy, icon usage, and profile page functionality.
04. Solution & Results
Solutions:
Developed a comprehensive platform with four main pages: Home, Search, Explore, and Profile.
Integrated features like extensive filtering options, social interaction through the "Explore Friends" page, and personalized recommendations based on user preferences.
Ensured inclusivity by incorporating dietary preferences and allergy considerations into the profile settings.
Results:
High usability score (SUS score of 86) indicating very high overall usability.
Positive feedback from users for its intuitive design and comprehensive features.
Enhanced user satisfaction and engagement by simplifying the process of discovering new restaurants and integrating social features.
Conclusion: Platemate successfully addresses the challenges young adults face in finding suitable dining options by providing a centralized, user-friendly platform. Through iterative design and extensive user testing, the platform offers an inclusive and efficient solution that enhances the overall dining experience.
