Enhancing Recipe Discovery for Daily Cooks.
LIFESTYLE
Crunch is a recipe app designed to simplify meal planning and cooking. User research and usability testing uncovered key challenges in recipe discovery and organisation, guiding the design of a more intuitive, user-centred experience.
ROLE
User Researcher & UX/UI designer
TIMELINE
March 2024 - August 2024
TOOLS
BACKGROUND
Many existing recipe services fail to address users' needs for quick and practical solutions. Users often struggle with inefficient search functions and limited dietary filters, resulting in limited usage. The challenge was to design a solution that simplifies meal planning and enhances the overall cooking experience for a diverse range of users.
APPROACH
I conducted comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and competitive analysis, to identify key pain points and unmet needs. These insights were used to guide the design process.
This was followed by defining work, to pinpoint key pain points and workshopping on a series of solutions.
DESIGN PROCESS
Iterative wireframing and feedback loops ensured the app remained user-centred, with a focus on intuitive navigation, personalised recommendations, and practical features like ingredient-based searches and grocery list integration.
PROJECTED IMPACT
With this challenge in mind, the design process focused on the following goals:
Improved Cooking Experience: Provide one place for users to search, bookmark and upload their recipes.
Enhanced Meal Planning: Features like ingredient checklists and step-by-step instructions support users during the cooking process, making it more intuitive and stress-free.
Personalised Experience: Users can filter based on ingredients and diet preference to find relevant recipes.
Stronger Community Engagement: Social features encourage users to share recipes, follow others, and engage with content, fostering a sense of community.
RESULTS
After implementing the design iterations, a follow-up usability study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the changes. Key findings include:
Improved Efficiency: 85% of users found it quicker to locate recipes that matched their dietary preferences, praising the clarity of the new filter options.
Increased Engagement: The ingredient checklist feature was well-received, with users noting it made cooking more organised and reduced the chance of missing ingredients.
Higher User Retention Potential: The ability to save recipes was highlighted as a key improvement, with participants stating it would encouraged them to revisit the app regularly.
The Process
1
DISCOVERY
COMPETITIVE
ANALYSIS
DISCOVERY RESEARCH
SECONDARY RESEARCH
2
SYNTHESIS
EMPATHY MAPPING
PERSONA
3
DESIGN
USER FLOW
WIREFRAMES
ITERATIONS
FINAL DESIGNS
4
REFLECTIONS
RESULTS
REFLECTIONS
DISCOVERY
COMPETETIVE
ANALYSIS
I began by analysing three popular recipe apps commonly used for a variety of cooking needs.
The goal was to use these findings to inform the development of an app that not only incorporates valuable, existing features but also introduces solutions to enhance the user experience.
DISCOVERY
DISCOVERY RESEARCH
I conducted interviews with 12 individuals, ages 18-45 years old, who regularly search for recipes online. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of their current behaviours, perceptions, and the challenges they encounter throughout the process.
Key findings from the survey suggest that:
Personalisation Issues: Users struggle to filter recipes for dietary restrictions (e.g., pescatarian, allergies) and preferences (e.g., health-focused meals).
Ingredient-Based Suggestions: Many want recipe recommendations based on ingredients they already have to reduce food waste and make decision-making easier.
Usability Frustrations: Paywalls and subscription barriers make accessing recipes difficult, while recipe complexity can feel overwhelming.
Meal Planning & Time Constraints: Users feel stressed about planning meals for the week and often lack time to cook, making quick, easy-to-follow recipes valuable.
Decision Fatigue: Users struggle to determine which recipes will turn out well and feel overwhelmed scrolling through too many options.
Behavioural Patterns: Many users save recipes but forget about them, rely on social media for inspiration, and switch between cooking for themselves and others.
Nutritional Awareness: Some users want more information about the nutritional information, such as protein content, to make informed meal choices.
Workshop to Identify Key Pain Points
With numerous insights gathered, we began to organise the data to establish a clear design direction. To identify key themes, my team and I conducted a workshop where we collaboratively created an affinity map. We then prioritised the most impactful insights through voting, ensuring our focus remained on the most pressing user needs and guiding our design solution.
Prioritised Pain Points:
Recipe Discovery
Users find it difficult to find recipes based on their available ingredients.
There is an overwhelming selection of recipes to select through.
1
Lack of Personalisation
Users that have dietary preferences find it hard to find recipes due to a lack of/limited filters.
Users want to be able to edit and add their own recipes in one place.
3
Time Constraints
Users don't have enough time to scroll through and find a suitable recipe.
Users would like to save money by planning their meals better.
DISCOVERY
SECONDARY RESEARCH
To gain a deeper understanding of the needs and frustrations of potential users, I took a closer look at the reviews from competitor apps on the App Store.
This secondary research aimed to uncover common pain points and highlight the gaps in existing apps that could inform and enhance the design of our product.
Key findings from the secondary research found that:
Usability issues: Numerous frustrations around paywalls restricting access to content and the inconvenience of having to repeatedly sign in.
Practicality: Users expressed a need to integrate the recipes ingredient lists and their grocery lists, which would aid their meal planning and shopping.
Limited filters: Users with dietary issues e.g. Pescatarians and dairy-free diets faced issues with discovering recipes due to limited filter options.
Importance of reviews: Reviews play a crucial role in the decision-making process, with users relying on them to assess the quality of a recipe.
DISCOVERY
EMPATHY MAP
Using the insights gathered from the research and interviews, I created an empathy map to capture a deeper understanding of users' needs, behaviours, and pain points.
DISCOVERY
PERSONA
I created the following personas as the ideal users of the app:
How might we help busy individuals quickly find affordable, easy-to-make recipes using ingredients they already have?
How might we support families in planning nutritious, family-friendly meals that cater to different dietary preferences?
How might we make cooking more engaging by allowing users to personalise, document, and share their favourite recipes?
DESIGN
USER FLOW
The user flow for the app was designed to understand how users would move through the app. This was crucial in shaping its structure, ensuring that each step feels natural and efficient. The process helped guide the app’s design, aiming to enhance the app's usability.
DESIGN
WIREFRAMES
The wireframes focused on incorporating the information from the user flow to design the app’s structure. By mapping out key screens—such as the homepage and recipe details—I was able to visualise the user journey and identify areas for improvement early in the design process. This low-fidelity approach allowed for quick iterations, ensuring the design aligned with user needs before moving into high-fidelity prototypes.
DESIGN
ITERATIONS
Usability studies were conducted with 7 users, providing feedback that guided design iterations. These insights helped identify pain points and areas for improvement, leading to a more refined user-friendly product.
Filter Search:
Added dietary restrictions and preference filters: Enhances personalisation, allowing users to quickly find recipes that meet their specific dietary needs.
Improved filtering options: Streamlines the search process and helps users discover relevant recipes more efficiently.
Filter Search:
Added dietary restrictions and preference filters: Enhances personalisation, allowing users to quickly find recipes that meet their specific dietary needs.
Improved filtering options: Streamlines the search process and helps users discover relevant recipes more efficiently.
Recipe Details:
Included a short description: Provides quick context about the dish, especially helpful for users trying new recipes, aiding in decision-making.
Added an ingredient checklist: Improves usability during cooking, allowing users to track what they’ve prepared and reducing the chance of missing steps.
Recipe Details:
Included a short description: Provides quick context about the dish, especially helpful for users trying new recipes, aiding in decision-making.
Added an ingredient checklist: Improves usability during cooking, allowing users to track what they’ve prepared and reducing the chance of missing steps.
Social Profile:
Enabled recipe saving: Increases user engagement by allowing them to bookmark favourite recipes, encouraging repeat visits and easier meal planning.
Social Profile:
Enabled recipe saving: Increases user engagement by allowing them to bookmark favourite recipes, encouraging repeat visits and easier meal planning.
Fridge Finder:
Redesigned with a cleaner layout: Enhances visual clarity, making it easier for users to navigate and select ingredients.
Replaced checkboxes with tap ingredient selections: Simplifies interaction, making the process quicker and more intuitive, especially on mobile devices.
Fridge Finder:
Redesigned with a cleaner layout: Enhances visual clarity, making it easier for users to navigate and select ingredients.
Replaced checkboxes with tap ingredient selections: Simplifies interaction, making the process quicker and more intuitive, especially on mobile devices.
DESIGN
FINAL DESIGNS
DESIGN
FINAL DESIGNS
REFLECTIONS
Working on Crunch was an insightful experience that highlighted the importance of user-centred design and iterative improvements. I learned how small, thoughtful changes—like adding dietary filters and simplifying the Fridge Finder—can significantly enhance usability.
I particularly enjoyed translating user feedback into tangible design decisions and following their impact in follow-up studies. This project strengthened my ability to balance functionality with simplicity, make research-driven design choices, and create intuitive, user-friendly experiences.
ROLE
User Researcher & UX/UI designer
TIMELINE
March 2024 - August 2024
TOOLS
BACKGROUND
Many existing recipe services fail to address users' needs for quick and practical solutions. Users often struggle with inefficient search functions and limited dietary filters, resulting in limited usage. The challenge was to design a solution that simplifies meal planning and enhances the overall cooking experience for a diverse range of users.
APPROACH
I conducted comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and competitive analysis, to identify key pain points and unmet needs. These insights were used to guide the design process.
DESIGN PROCESS
Iterative wireframing and feedback loops ensured the app remained user-centred, with a focus on intuitive navigation, personalised recommendations, and practical features like ingredient-based searches and grocery list integration.
PROJECTED IMPACT
With this challenge in mind, the design process focused on the following goals:
Improved Cooking Experience: Provide one place for users to search, bookmark and upload their recipes.
Enhanced Meal Planning: Features like ingredient checklists and step-by-step instructions support users during the cooking process, making it more intuitive and stress-free.
Personalised Experience: Users can filter based on ingredients and diet preference to find relevant recipes.
Stronger Community Engagement: Social features encourage users to share recipes, follow others, and engage with content, fostering a sense of community.
RESULTS
After implementing the design iterations, a follow-up usability study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the changes. Key findings include:
Improved Efficiency: 85% of users found it quicker to locate recipes that matched their dietary preferences, praising the clarity of the new filter options.
Increased Engagement: The ingredient checklist feature was well-received, with users noting it made cooking more organised and reduced the chance of missing ingredients.
Higher User Retention Potential: The ability to save recipes was highlighted as a key improvement, with participants stating it would encouraged them to revisit the app regularly.
1
DISCOVERY
COMPETITIVE
ANALYSIS
DISCOVERY RESEARCH
SECONDARY RESEARCH
2
SYNTHESIS
PERSONA
EMPATHY MAPPING
3
DESIGN
USER FLOW
WIREFRAMES
ITERATIONS
FINAL DESIGNS
4
REFLECTIONS
REFLECTIONS
RESULTS
DISCOVERY
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
I began by analysing three popular recipe apps commonly used for a variety of cooking needs.
The goal was to use these findings to inform the development of an app that not only incorporates valuable, existing features but also introduces solutions to enhance the user experience.
DISCOVERY
DISCOVERY RESEARCH
I conducted interviews with 12 individuals, ages 18-45 years old, who regularly search for recipes online. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of their current behaviours, perceptions, and the challenges they encounter throughout the process.
Key findings from the survey suggest that:
Personalisation Issues: Users struggle to filter recipes for dietary restrictions (e.g., pescatarian, allergies) and preferences (e.g., health-focused meals).
Ingredient-Based Suggestions: Many want recipe recommendations based on ingredients they already have to reduce food waste and make decision-making easier.
Usability Frustrations: Paywalls and subscription barriers make accessing recipes difficult, while recipe complexity can feel overwhelming.
Meal Planning & Time Constraints: Users feel stressed about planning meals for the week and often lack time to cook, making quick, easy-to-follow recipes valuable.
Decision Fatigue: Users struggle to determine which recipes will turn out well and feel overwhelmed scrolling through too many options.
Behavioural Patterns: Many users save recipes but forget about them, rely on social media for inspiration, and switch between cooking for themselves and others.
Nutritional Awareness: Some users want more information about the nutritional information, such as protein content, to make informed meal choices.
Workshop to Identify Key Pain Points
With numerous insights gathered, we began to organise the data to establish a clear design direction. To identify key themes, my team and I conducted a workshop where we collaboratively created an affinity map. We then prioritised the most impactful insights through voting, ensuring our focus remained on the most pressing user needs and guiding our design solution.
DISCOVERY
SECONDARY RESEARCH
To gain a deeper understanding of the needs and frustrations of potential users, I took a closer look at the reviews from competitor apps on the App Store.
This secondary research aimed to uncover common pain points and highlight the gaps in existing apps that could inform and enhance the design of our product.
Key findings from the secondary research found that:
Usability issues: Numerous frustrations around paywalls restricting access to content and the inconvenience of having to repeatedly sign in.
Practicality: Users expressed a need to integrate the recipes ingredient lists and their grocery lists, which would aid their meal planning and shopping.
Limited filters: Users with dietary issues e.g. Pescatarians and dairy-free diets faced issues with discovering recipes due to limited filter options.
Importance of reviews: Reviews play a crucial role in the decision-making process, with users relying on them to assess the quality of a recipe.
SYNTHESIS
EMPATHY MAP
Using the insights gathered from the research and interviews, I created an empathy map to capture a deeper understanding of users' needs, behaviours, and pain points.
SYNTHESIS
PERSONA
I created the following personas as the ideal users of the app:
DESIGN
USER FLOW
The wireframes focused on incorporating the information from the user flow to design the app’s structure. By mapping out key screens—such as the homepage and recipe details—I was able to visualise the user journey and identify areas for improvement early in the design process. This low-fidelity approach allowed for quick iterations, ensuring the design aligned with user needs before moving into high-fidelity prototypes.
DESIGN
WIREFRAMES
The wireframes focused on incorporating the information from the user flow to design the app’s structure. By mapping out key screens—such as the homepage and recipe details—I was able to visualise the user journey and identify areas for improvement early in the design process. This low-fidelity approach allowed for quick iterations, ensuring the design aligned with user needs before moving into high-fidelity prototypes.
DESIGN
ITERATIONS
Usability studies were conducted with 7 users, providing feedback that guided design iterations. These insights helped identify pain points and areas for improvement, leading to a more refined user-friendly product.
Filter Search:
Added dietary restrictions and preference filters: Enhances personalisation, allowing users to quickly find recipes that meet their specific dietary needs.
Improved filtering options: Streamlines the search process and helps users discover relevant recipes more efficiently.
1
Recipe Discovery
Users find it difficult to find recipes based on their available ingredients.
There is an overwhelming selection of recipes to select through.
Lack of Personalisation
Users that have dietary preferences find it hard to find recipes due to a lack of/limited filters.
Users want to be able to edit and add their own recipes in one place.
2
3
Time Constraints
Users don't have enough time to scroll through and find a suitable recipe.
Users would like to save money by planning their meals better.
How might we help busy individuals quickly find affordable, easy-to-make recipes using ingredients they already have?
How might we support families in planning nutritious, family-friendly meals that cater to different dietary preferences?
How might we make cooking more engaging by allowing users to personalise, document, and share their favourite recipes?
Filter Search:
Added dietary restrictions and preference filters: Enhances personalisation, allowing users to quickly find recipes that meet their specific dietary needs.
Improved filtering options: Streamlines the search process and helps users discover relevant recipes more efficiently.
Fridge Finder:
Redesigned with a cleaner layout: Enhances visual clarity, making it easier for users to navigate and select ingredients.
Replaced checkboxes with tap ingredient selections: Simplifies interaction, making the process quicker and more intuitive, especially on mobile devices.
Recipe Details:
Included a short description: Provides quick context about the dish, especially helpful for users trying new recipes, aiding in decision-making.
Added an ingredient checklist: Improves usability during cooking, allowing users to track what they’ve prepared and reducing the chance of missing steps.
Social Profile:
Enabled recipe saving: Increases user engagement by allowing them to bookmark favourite recipes, encouraging repeat visits and easier meal planning.
DESIGN
FINAL DESIGNS
REFLECTIONS
Working on Crunch was an insightful experience that highlighted the importance of user-centred design and iterative improvements. I learned how small, thoughtful changes—like adding dietary filters and simplifying the Fridge Finder—can significantly enhance usability.
I particularly enjoyed translating user feedback into tangible design decisions and following their impact in follow-up studies. This project strengthened my ability to balance functionality with simplicity, make research-driven design choices, and create intuitive, user-friendly experiences.
ROLE
User Researcher & UX/UI designer
TIMELINE
March 2024 - August 2024
TOOLS
BACKGROUND
Many existing recipe services fail to address users' needs for quick and practical solutions. Users often struggle with inefficient search functions and limited dietary filters, resulting in limited usage. The challenge was to design a solution that simplifies meal planning and enhances the overall cooking experience for a diverse range of users.
APPROACH
I conducted comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and competitive analysis, to identify key pain points and unmet needs. These insights were used to guide the design process.
This was followed by defining work, to pinpoint key pain points and workshopping on a series of solutions.
DESIGN PROCESS
Iterative wireframing and feedback loops ensured the app remained user-centred, with a focus on intuitive navigation, personalised recommendations, and practical features like ingredient-based searches and grocery list integration.
PROJECTED IMPACT
With this challenge in mind, the design process focused on the following goals:
Improved Cooking Experience: Provide one place for users to search, bookmark and upload their recipes.
Enhanced Meal Planning: Features like ingredient checklists and step-by-step instructions support users during the cooking process, making it more intuitive and stress-free.
Personalised Experience: Users can filter based on ingredients and diet preference to find relevant recipes.
Stronger Community Engagement: Social features encourage users to share recipes, follow others, and engage with content, fostering a sense of community.
RESULTS
After implementing the design iterations, a follow-up usability study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the changes. Key findings include:
Improved Efficiency: 85% of users found it quicker to locate recipes that matched their dietary preferences, praising the clarity of the new filter options.
Increased Engagement: The ingredient checklist feature was well-received, with users noting it made cooking more organised and reduced the chance of missing ingredients.
Higher User Retention Potential: The ability to save recipes was highlighted as a key improvement, with participants stating it would encouraged them to revisit the app regularly.
The Process
1
DISCOVERY
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
DISCOVERY RESEARCH
SECONDARY RESEARCH
2
SYNTHESIS
EMPATHY MAPPING
PERSONA
4
DESIGN
USER FLOW
WIREFRAMES
ITERATIONS
FINAL DESIGN
5
REFLECTIONS
REFLECTIONS
DISCOVERY
COMPETETIVE
ANALYSIS
I began by analysing three popular recipe apps commonly used for a variety of cooking needs.
The goal was to use these findings to inform the development of an app that not only incorporates valuable, existing features but also introduces solutions to enhance the user experience.
DISCOVERY
DISCOVERY RESEARCH
I conducted interviews with 12 individuals, ages 18-45 years old, who regularly search for recipes online. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of their current behaviours, perceptions, and the challenges they encounter throughout the process.
Key findings from the survey suggest that:
Personalisation Issues: Users struggle to filter recipes for dietary restrictions (e.g., pescatarian, allergies) and preferences (e.g., health-focused meals).
Ingredient-Based Suggestions: Many want recipe recommendations based on ingredients they already have to reduce food waste and make decision-making easier.
Usability Frustrations: Paywalls and subscription barriers make accessing recipes difficult, while recipe complexity can feel overwhelming.
Meal Planning & Time Constraints: Users feel stressed about planning meals for the week and often lack time to cook, making quick, easy-to-follow recipes valuable.
Decision Fatigue: Users struggle to determine which recipes will turn out well and feel overwhelmed scrolling through too many options.
Behavioural Patterns: Many users save recipes but forget about them, rely on social media for inspiration, and switch between cooking for themselves and others.
Nutritional Awareness: Some users want more information about the nutritional information, such as protein content, to make informed meal choices.
Workshop to Identify Key Pain Points
With numerous insights gathered, we began to organise the data to establish a clear design direction. To identify key themes, my team and I conducted a workshop where we collaboratively created an affinity map. We then prioritised the most impactful insights through voting, ensuring our focus remained on the most pressing user needs and guiding our design solution.
Prioritised Pain Points:
Recipe Discovery
Users find it difficult to find recipes based on their available ingredients.
There is an overwhelming selection of recipes to select through.
1
Lack of Personalisation
Users that have dietary preferences find it hard to find recipes due to a lack of/limited filters.
Users want to be able to edit and add their own recipes in one place.
2
Time Constraints
Users don't have enough time to scroll through and find a suitable recipe.
Users would like to save money by planning their meals better.
3
DISCOVERY
SECONDARY RESEARCH
To gain a deeper understanding of the needs and frustrations of potential users, I took a closer look at the reviews from competitor apps on the App Store.
This secondary research aimed to uncover common pain points and highlight the gaps in existing apps that could inform and enhance the design of our product.
Key findings from the secondary research found that:
Usability issues: Numerous frustrations around paywalls restricting access to content and the inconvenience of having to repeatedly sign in.
Practicality: Users expressed a need to integrate the recipes ingredient lists and their grocery lists, which would aid their meal planning and shopping.
Limited filters: Users with dietary issues e.g. Pescatarians and dairy-free diets faced issues with discovering recipes due to limited filter options.
Importance of reviews: Reviews play a crucial role in the decision-making process, with users relying on them to assess the quality of a recipe.
SYNTHESIS
EMPATHY MAP
Using the insights gathered from the research and interviews, I created an empathy map to capture a deeper understanding of users' needs, behaviours, and pain points.
SYNTHESIS
PERSONA
I created the following personas as the ideal users of the app:
How might we help busy individuals quickly find affordable, easy-to-make recipes using ingredients they already have?
How might we support families in planning nutritious, family-friendly meals that cater to different dietary preferences?
How might we make cooking more engaging by allowing users to personalise, document, and share their favourite recipes?
DESIGN
USER FLOW
The user flow for the app was designed to understand how users would move through the app. This was crucial in shaping its structure, ensuring that each step feels natural and efficient. The process helped guide the app’s design, aiming to enhance the app's usability.
DESIGN
WIREFRAMES
The wireframes focused on incorporating the information from the user flow to design the app’s structure. By mapping out key screens—such as the homepage and recipe details—I was able to visualise the user journey and identify areas for improvement early in the design process. This low-fidelity approach allowed for quick iterations, ensuring the design aligned with user needs before moving into high-fidelity prototypes.
DESIGN
ITERATIONS
Usability studies were conducted with 7 users, providing feedback that guided design iterations. These insights helped identify pain points and areas for improvement, leading to a more refined user-friendly product.
Filter Search:
Added dietary restrictions and preference filters: Enhances personalisation, allowing users to quickly find recipes that meet their specific dietary needs.
Improved filtering options: Streamlines the search process and helps users discover relevant recipes more efficiently.
Recipe Details:
Included a short description: Provides quick context about the dish, especially helpful for users trying new recipes, aiding in decision-making.
Added an ingredient checklist: Improves usability during cooking, allowing users to track what they’ve prepared and reducing the chance of missing steps.
Social Profile:
Enabled recipe saving: Increases user engagement by allowing them to bookmark favourite recipes, encouraging repeat visits and easier meal planning.
Fridge Finder:
Redesigned with a cleaner layout: Enhances visual clarity, making it easier for users to navigate and select ingredients.
Replaced checkboxes with tap ingredient selections: Simplifies interaction, making the process quicker and more intuitive, especially on mobile devices.
DESIGN
FINAL DESIGNS
REFLECTIONS
Working on Crunch was an insightful experience that highlighted the importance of user-centred design and iterative improvements. I learned how small, thoughtful changes—like adding dietary filters and simplifying the Fridge Finder—can significantly enhance usability.
I particularly enjoyed translating user feedback into tangible design decisions and following their impact in follow-up studies. This project strengthened my ability to balance functionality with simplicity, make research-driven design choices, and create intuitive, user-friendly experiences.