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CooKMaP
CooKMaP
CooKMaP
CooKMaP
A recipe app which allows to plan meals and track ingredients
A recipe app which allows to plan meals and track ingredients
A recipe app which allows to plan meals and track ingredients
A recipe app which allows to plan meals and track ingredients
Find It. Plan It. Taste It
Find It. Plan It. Taste It
Client:
assess
My Role:
Product Designer
Year:
2022
Service Provided:
Product Design, Web Design, Mobile Design
Requirement
Requirement
jizoku
jizoku
“Many people struggle to plan meals due to busy schedules, limited time, and lack of cooking inspiration leading to stress, last-minute takeout, and food waste from unused ingredients. They need a smarter way to discover recipes that match their pantry items, dietary preferences, and available cooking time, helping them cook efficiently while minimizing wasted food. The goal is to simplify meal planning with personalized recipes that save time, reduce decision fatigue, and make home cooking more frequent and sustainable.”
“Many people struggle to plan meals due to busy schedules, limited time, and lack of cooking inspiration leading to stress, last-minute takeout, and food waste from unused ingredients. They need a smarter way to discover recipes that match their pantry items, dietary preferences, and available cooking time, helping them cook efficiently while minimizing wasted food. The goal is to simplify meal planning with personalized recipes that save time, reduce decision fatigue, and make home cooking more frequent and sustainable.”
My Involvement
My Involvement
Stream line the requirement
Understanding the market gap.
Led Product Design team of 5 through the process.
Decision making regarding the framework for Design Process.
Designing the Research - defining research goals, selecting appropriate methods, planning data collection, conducting research, analysing findings, and communicating results to respective stakeholders.
Planning and Executing usability test.
Stream line the requirement
Understanding the market gap.
Led Product Design team of 5 through the process.
Decision making regarding the framework for Design Process.
Designing the Research - defining research goals, selecting appropriate methods, planning data collection, conducting research, analysing findings, and communicating results to respective stakeholders.
Planning and Executing usability test.
Nucleus
Nucleus
Nasla Rilam (Sr. Product Designer)
Jenish James (Sr. Product Designer)
Subhash Reddy (Product Designer)
Roger Patrick (Product Designer)
Richard (Project Lead)
Nasla Rilam (Sr. Product Designer)
Jenish James (Sr. Product Designer)
Subhash Reddy (Product Designer)
Roger Patrick (Product Designer)
Richard (Project Lead)
Design Thinking Process
Design Thinking Process
Since the problem space and target audience are still unclear, we proceed with the Design Thinking framework. Since this approach is ideal for exploring ambiguous challenges and allows for iterative refinement, as we are designing from the ground up.
Since the problem space and target audience are still unclear, we proceed with the Design Thinking framework. Since this approach is ideal for exploring ambiguous challenges and allows for iterative refinement, as we are designing from the ground up.
Empathize
Empathize
Empathize
Define
Define
Define
Ideate
Ideate
Ideate
Prototype
Prototype
Prototype
Test
Test
Test
Desk Research
Desk Research
Desk Research
Affinity Mapping
Affinity Mapping
Affinity Mapping
User Experience Map
User Experience Map
User Experience
Map
Low-fi Wireframes
Low-fi Wireframes
Low-fi Wireframes
Usability Test
Usability Test
Usability Test
Survey
Survey
Survey
POV
POV
POV
User Flows
User Flows
User Flows
High-fi Wireframes
High-fi Wireframes
High-fi Wireframes
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.
.
User Interviews
User Interviews
User Interviews
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.
.
Site Map
Site Map
Site Map
Colors/Typography
Colors/Typography
Colors/Typography
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.
.
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Competitor
Analysis
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.
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User Interface
User Interface
User Interface
Secondary Research
Primary Research
Primary Research
Findings :
Focus age group : from 20 - 35 who mostly rely on smartphones for there day-to-day activities.
Lifestyle : busy/working young people who are living alone, living together, couple living together and new couple with kids.
Based on the cooking style study,
- The target group mostly like home cook food
- They cook less number of times
- Like to cook with less or minimal ingredients and less time consuming.
Priority : transparency in ingredients, accuracy, and—of course—reducing cognitive load by aiding in decision-making.
Findings :
Focus age group : from 20 - 35 who mostly rely on smartphones for there day-to-day activities.
Lifestyle : busy/working young people who are living alone, living together, couple living together and new couple with kids.
Based on the cooking style study,
- The target group mostly like home cook food
- They cook less number of times
- Like to cook with less or minimal ingredients and less time consuming.
Priority : transparency in ingredients, accuracy, and—of course—reducing cognitive load by aiding in decision-making.
Secondary Research Insights :
Target audience - age group from 20 - 35( Millennials and zillennials)
Target audience living situation - Living alone, living together and living in small family
Cooking style - with less ingredients and consumes less time
Not interested in cooking 3 times a day but loves storing and reusing foods
Health conscious audience which supports transparency and accuracy.
Secondary Research Insights :
Target audience - age group from 20 - 35( Millennials and zillennials)
Target audience living situation - Living alone, living together and living in small family
Cooking style - with less ingredients and consumes less time
Not interested in cooking 3 times a day but loves storing and reusing foods
Health conscious audience which supports transparency and accuracy.
Primary Research
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
Survey (quantitative)
Survey (quantitative)
Based on insights from secondary research, we developed a targeted survey to validate our proto-persona and gather quantitative data from a larger participant pool. This approach also informed the design of follow-up interview questions and helped identify suitable candidates for in-depth user interviews.
Based on insights from secondary research, we developed a targeted survey to validate our proto-persona and gather quantitative data from a larger participant pool. This approach also informed the design of follow-up interview questions and helped identify suitable candidates for in-depth user interviews.
Key data visualizations based on the survey
Key data visualizations based on the survey
User Research (qualitative)
User Research (qualitative)
Considering the secondary research synthesis, we selected 5 participants from the age group between 20 - 39 and 2 from the age group past 40 with different living situations. Along with 2 participants for mock interview to refine the question.
Considering the secondary research synthesis, we selected 5 participants from the age group between 20 - 39 and 2 from the age group past 40 with different living situations. Along with 2 participants for mock interview to refine the question.
Questions are created strategically by dividing them into :
General Questions
Platform related Questions
Competitor platform related questions
Questions are created strategically by dividing them into :
General Questions
Platform related Questions
Competitor platform related questions
Affinity Map
Affinity Map
We did Affinity mapping to understand the interview points and feedbacks from the users.
We did Affinity mapping to understand the interview points and feedbacks from the users.
An interesting and surprising input majority of my the users pointed is helping to reduce wastage.
An interesting and surprising input majority of my the users pointed is helping to reduce wastage.
So i thought of digging a bit deep into the wastage topic.
Back to secondary research :
So i thought of digging a bit deep into the wastage topic.
Back to secondary research :
Food Waste Impact
Food Waste Impact
Individuals living alone or living is small households may contribute more to food waste due to factors like:
Over-purchasing: Buying larger quantities than they can consume, leading to spoilage.
Meal planning: Inadequate planning and preparation can result in wasted food, especially for smaller households.
Limited storage: Smaller refrigerators or lack of storage space may impact the ability to preserve food properly.
[A study in the US found that single-person households wasted a higher percentage of their food than larger households, which is around 20% more food than households of four or more.]
Individuals living alone or living is small households may contribute more to food waste due to factors like:
Over-purchasing: Buying larger quantities than they can consume, leading to spoilage.
Meal planning: Inadequate planning and preparation can result in wasted food, especially for smaller households.
Limited storage: Smaller refrigerators or lack of storage space may impact the ability to preserve food properly.
[A study in the US found that single-person households wasted a higher percentage of their food than larger households, which is around 20% more food than households of four or more.]
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
In today’s saturated mobile app market, understanding the competitive landscape is crucial. This will just be covering the major functionality part.
In today’s saturated mobile app market, understanding the competitive landscape is crucial. This will just be covering the major functionality part.
As its visible,
Search by multiple Ingredients are missing in all the above apps.
Tracking the ingredients are not existing in any of these.
The missing ingredients are stayed missing since there is no option to order them.
Sharing the recipe is missing again
The accuracy of search results are fairly poor.
While planning the meal and recipe details are in a good level, the customisation is not existing.
Nutrients, calorie information or Health benefits of products are also a gap in competitive applications
As its visible,
Search by multiple Ingredients are missing in all the above apps.
Tracking the ingredients are not existing in any of these.
The missing ingredients are stayed missing since there is no option to order them.
Sharing the recipe is missing again
The accuracy of search results are fairly poor.
While planning the meal and recipe details are in a good level, the customisation is not existing.
Nutrients, calorie information or Health benefits of products are also a gap in competitive applications
User Experience Mapping
User Experience Mapping
Now the Ideation starts by creating a user experience map as per the Interview answers specifically for competitor platform related questions and followed by affinity mapping analysis, which contains an end-to-end analysis of user’s needs, hesitations and concerns. Here 3 maps for 3 different user groups are created considering the basic competitor apps flow.
Now the Ideation starts by creating a user experience map as per the Interview answers specifically for competitor platform related questions and followed by affinity mapping analysis, which contains an end-to-end analysis of user’s needs, hesitations and concerns. Here 3 maps for 3 different user groups are created considering the basic competitor apps flow.
Success % and Startegy
Success % and Startegy
The success percentage (or adoption rate) of any app in today’s competitive market depends on several factors, including market demand, competition, monetization strategy, and UX effectiveness.
The success percentage (or adoption rate) of any app in today’s competitive market depends on several factors, including market demand, competition, monetization strategy, and UX effectiveness.
What Works (High Success Chances)
AI-powered personalization (e.g., dietary filters, expiry-based suggestions) → 25–30% higher retention (McKinsey).
Grocery integration (Instacart, Walmart) → 2x more engagement.
Family/group features → 40% of parents prioritize shared meal planning (NPD Group).
<5% conversion if pricing exceeds $5/month.
What Works (High Success Chances)
AI-powered personalization (e.g., dietary filters, expiry-based suggestions) → 25–30% higher retention (McKinsey).
Grocery integration (Instacart, Walmart) → 2x more engagement.
Family/group features → 40% of parents prioritize shared meal planning (NPD Group).
<5% conversion if pricing exceeds $5/month.
Realistic Success Percentage
Realistic Success Percentage
Monetization Strategy :
All the below options are from our user surveys and statements :
In App Advertising (meal kit, appliances, special ingredients, etc )
A possibility of sharing content which can include relevant advertisements including supporting local business.
Freemium (limited options for free use like only 3 meals can be saved at a time, etc)
Affiliate Marketing (promoting 3rd party apps by banners or similar ways)
As the users are expecting, lets promote 3rd party apps for helping them to order the missing items.
Monetization Strategy :
All the below options are from our user surveys and statements :
In App Advertising (meal kit, appliances, special ingredients, etc )
A possibility of sharing content which can include relevant advertisements including supporting local business.
Freemium (limited options for free use like only 3 meals can be saved at a time, etc)
Affiliate Marketing (promoting 3rd party apps by banners or similar ways)
As the users are expecting, lets promote 3rd party apps for helping them to order the missing items.
PoV (Point of View)
PoV (Point of View)
Rehna is a working mother who should be able to plan meals and save/share easy, cookable, nutritious and kids-friendly recipes where ingredients must be auto generated for shopping as per the meal plan, irrespective of the quantity which can reduce wastage of time and money
Rehna is a working mother who should be able to plan meals and save/share easy, cookable, nutritious and kids-friendly recipes where ingredients must be auto generated for shopping as per the meal plan, irrespective of the quantity which can reduce wastage of time and money
Roy is a living alone person who should be able to plan and suggest recipes which can manage their diet and portion controlling which can also provide an option on tracking the ingredients which in turn help in reducing wastage of food and money.
Roy is a living alone person who should be able to plan and suggest recipes which can manage their diet and portion controlling which can also provide an option on tracking the ingredients which in turn help in reducing wastage of food and money.
Sandra is bachelorette who needs a fun app for easy recipe details with less ingredient and cooking time, which also helps in tracking the pantry ingredients so that it can reduce wastage of food and money.
Sandra is bachelorette who needs a fun app for easy recipe details with less ingredient and cooking time, which also helps in tracking the pantry ingredients so that it can reduce wastage of food and money.
User Persona
User Persona
From the major user group i created 3 personas of 3 different living situations (living alone, family and living together). Out of the 3, living together and living with kids(nuclear family) will be my major persona on which my design decisions will be made with and living alone will be my secondary persona.
From the major user group i created 3 personas of 3 different living situations (living alone, family and living together). Out of the 3, living together and living with kids(nuclear family) will be my major persona on which my design decisions will be made with and living alone will be my secondary persona.
User Flow
User Flow
Through user mapping analysis, we developed three core task flows. These informed the creation of a comprehensive user flow, outlining all potential pathways and opportunities for user navigation.
Below you can find a basic user flow :
Through user mapping analysis, we developed three core task flows. These informed the creation of a comprehensive user flow, outlining all potential pathways and opportunities for user navigation.
Below you can find a basic user flow :
Wireframing
Wireframing
100’s of layouts and we end up with few of the below provided layouts. If we are in AI era or alien era, this is a mandatory step for me before aesthetics comes into picture, since it is much more flexible for creative process.
100’s of layouts and we end up with few of the below provided layouts. If we are in AI era or alien era, this is a mandatory step for me before aesthetics comes into picture, since it is much more flexible for creative process.
Visual
Visual
Team created Mood Boards which helped us to define the look and feel of the application including color pallet and typography.
Team created Mood Boards which helped us to define the look and feel of the application including color pallet and typography.
Primary Color (#798271)
Text Color (#784D33)
Secondary Color (#FCFCFC)
Defining the User Interface
Defining the User Interface
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
Had conducted usability testing with 8 participants selected, as per their willingness and user interview answers, including Remote moderated and Remote unmoderated testing on Qualitative testing. We have created multiple use case scenarios to test and recorded the testing for Quantitative analysis.
Had conducted usability testing with 8 participants selected, as per their willingness and user interview answers, including Remote moderated and Remote unmoderated testing on Qualitative testing. We have created multiple use case scenarios to test and recorded the testing for Quantitative analysis.
Few of testers insights :
Few of testers insights :
