SafeEats
The essential meal companion for individuals
with dietary restrictions.
SafeEats
The essential meal companion for individuals
with dietary restrictions.
SafeEats
The essential meal companion for individuals
with dietary restrictions.
SafeEats
The essential meal companion for individuals
with dietary restrictions.
SafeEats
The essential meal companion for individuals
with dietary restrictions.
SafeEats
The essential meal companion for individuals
with dietary restrictions.
Project detail
Project detail
Project detail
For those unfamiliar with certain cuisines,
the components of each dish may be unclear.
Additionally, different restaurants may use
varying ingredients.
Identifying allergen ingredients is challenging,
especially when they're listed in a foreign
language. Google Translate can be hard to read
because of its low-contrast text.
Overview
In an increasingly globalized world, dining out while managing food allergies presents significant challenges, particularly when traveling. SafeEats is designed to address these challenges by providing a comprehensive solution for individuals with food allergies to navigate restaurant dining safely and confidently.
The Problem
Traveling introduces additional complexities for individuals with severe food allergies.
When dining out, they face uncertainty about restaurant ingredients and allergen information. Additionally, encountering packaged foods with unfamiliar ingredient lists in foreign languages can lead to anxiety and potential health risks.
Overview
In an increasingly globalized world, dining out while managing food allergies presents significant challenges, particularly when traveling. SafeEats is designed to address these challenges by providing a comprehensive solution for individuals with food allergies to navigate restaurant dining safely and confidently.
The Problem
Traveling introduces additional complexities for individuals with severe food allergies.
When dining out, they face uncertainty about restaurant ingredients and allergen information. Additionally, encountering packaged foods with unfamiliar ingredient lists in foreign languages can lead to anxiety and potential health risks.
For those unfamiliar with certain cuisines,
the components of each dish may be unclear.
Additionally, different restaurants may use
varying ingredients.
Identifying allergen ingredients is challenging,
especially when they're listed in a foreign
language. Google Translate can be hard to read
because of its low-contrast text.
?
How can individuals safely eat out and avoid allergens that could trigger a reaction?
Solution
SafeEats is an all-in-one app that helps users manage dining out and identify allergens in packaged food, also providing personalized restaurant recommendations based on allergies and dietary needs. It also includes a camera tool for translating ingredient lists, identifying allergens, and alerting users to nearby food contamination incidents.
Solution
SafeEats is an all-in-one app that helps users manage dining out and identify allergens in packaged food, also providing personalized restaurant recommendations based on allergies and dietary needs. It also includes a camera tool for translating ingredient lists, identifying allergens, and alerting users to nearby food contamination incidents.
Research
User Interview
I interviewed and surveyed a group of students in the United States with food allergies to gather insights into their dining challenges and needs.
How severe are your food
allergies?
5.5 average out of 10
How severe are your food
allergies?
5.5 average out of 10
How severe are your food
allergies?
5.5 average out of 10
How anxious do you feel
about eating out due to
your allergies?
6.8 average out of 10
How anxious do you feel
about eating out due to
your allergies?
6.8 average out of 10
How anxious do you feel
about eating out due to
your allergies?
6.8 average out of 10
Have you ever had an
allergic reaction while
dining out?
52% said yes
Have you ever had an
allergic reaction while
dining out?
52% said yes
Have you ever had an
allergic reaction while
dining out?
52% said yes
What is your primary worry when traveling with food allergies?
What is your primary worry when traveling with food allergies?
Competitor analysis
In this competitor analysis, I examined apps that offer similar functionalities to SafeEats, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses. By evaluating these competitors, I aim to understand their approach to managing dietary restrictions, allergen information, and user experience.
Competitor analysis
In this competitor analysis, I examined apps that offer similar functionalities to SafeEats, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses. By evaluating these competitors, I aim to understand their approach to managing dietary restrictions, allergen information, and user experience.
Yelp
Pros
Restaurant reviews and ratings: Provides extensive
user reviews and ratings
Photos: Users can view photos of dishes
and sometimes access menu information
User contributions: Community-driven content
Cons
Inconsistent menu details: Menus and ingredient details are not always provided
Lack of allergy information: No detailed allergen information nor addresses specific dietary restrictions
Yelp
Pros
Restaurant reviews and ratings: Provides extensive
user reviews and ratings
Photos: Users can view photos of dishes
and sometimes access menu information
User contributions: Community-driven content
Cons
Inconsistent menu details: Menus and ingredient details are not always provided
Lack of allergy information: No detailed allergen information nor addresses specific dietary restrictions
Google Translate
Pros
Multilingual translation: Supports translation of text
from numerous languages
Real-time camera translation: Allows users to translate text from images
Cons
Translation accuracy: Translations may not always be precise or contextually accurate, potentially leading to misunderstandings about ingredient content.
Low-contrast text: Translated text difficult to read due to low contrast formatting issues
No allergen detection: Does not specifically identify allergens within the translated text
Google Translate
Pros
Multilingual translation: Supports translation of text
from numerous languages
Real-time camera translation: Allows users to translate text from images
Cons
Translation accuracy: Translations may not always be precise or contextually accurate, potentially leading to misunderstandings about ingredient content.
Low-contrast text: Translated text difficult to read due to low contrast formatting issues
No allergen detection: Does not specifically identify allergens within the translated text
Spokin
Pros
Personalized recommendations: Offers restaurant suggestions based on individuals allergy profiles and dietary restrictions
Community engagement: Allows users to interact with each other
Cons
Limited detail: The app recommends restaurants based on listed allergies but does not offer a detailed menu breakdown with specific ingredient information.
Lack of organization: The pages are over crowded with suggestions.
User-generated content: Reliance on user reviews can lead to variability in the quality and reliability of information.
Spokin
Pros
Personalized recommendations: Offers restaurant suggestions based on individuals allergy profiles and dietary restrictions
Community engagement: Allows users to interact with each other
Cons
Limited detail: The app recommends restaurants based on listed allergies but does not offer a detailed menu breakdown with specific ingredient information.
Lack of organization: The pages are over crowded with suggestions.
User-generated content: Reliance on user reviews can lead to variability in the quality and reliability of information.
Affinity diagram
Design
Using the information from the user survey, I brainstormed any potential ideas for the app using a user flow diagram.
Design
Using the information from the user survey, I brainstormed any potential ideas for the app using a user flow diagram.
Wireframes
Low-fidelity wireframe sketch
Wireframes
Low-fidelity wireframe sketch
Mid-fidelity wireframe
User feedback & revisions
I asked 6 users for feedback before proceeding to designing the prototype. They appreciated the app's personalized approach and the ingredient translator's ability to detect allergens based on their specific allergies. This feedback not only validates the design direction but also reinforces the necessity of these features in addressing the core concerns of our target audience.
Main suggestions that were made:
Because many surveyed were concerned about cross-contamination risks in restaurants, the testers suggested adding a feature that offers related insights for app users.
The users hoped to see a more social aspect in the app. Having a social element could decrease social anxiety among users, especially when eating out with friends.
Refined functionalities & user goals
User feedback & revisions
I asked 6 users for feedback before proceeding to designing the prototype. They appreciated the app's personalized approach and the ingredient translator's ability to detect allergens based on their specific allergies. This feedback not only validates the design direction but also reinforces the necessity of these features in addressing the core concerns of our target audience.
Main suggestions that were made:
Because many surveyed were concerned about cross-contamination risks in restaurants, the testers suggested adding a feature that offers related insights for app users.
The users hoped to see a more social aspect in the app. Having a social element could decrease social anxiety among users, especially when eating out with friends.
Refined functionalities & user goals
1. Alerts & notifications
Real-time alerts will notify users
of nearby food safety issues,
including contamination and hidden
allergens.
Safe dining
Include a detailed menu and
ingredient breakdown for each
restaurant, along with their history
of food contamination and safety
practices.
User personalization
Users will be able to input their
allergies and restrictions. They
can also filter by food type,
location, price, etc.
Allergy detecting translator
Users can scan ingredient lists in
foreign languages, with the app
translating and identifying
allergens.
Eat with friends
Users can share their profiles
with friends who also have allergies,
allowing both to receive personalized
recommendations that meet each
other's dietary needs.
Safe dining
Include a detailed menu and
ingredient breakdown for each
restaurant, along with their history
of food contamination and safety
practices.
Safe dining
Include a detailed menu and
ingredient breakdown for each
restaurant, along with their history
of food contamination and safety
practices.
User personalization
Users will be able to input their
allergies and restrictions. They
can also filter by food type,
location, price, etc.
User personalization
Users will be able to input their
allergies and restrictions. They
can also filter by food type,
location, price, etc.
Allergy detecting translator
Users can scan ingredient lists in
foreign languages, with the app
translating and identifying
allergens.
Allergy detecting translator
Users can scan ingredient lists in
foreign languages, with the app
translating and identifying
allergens.
Alerts & notifications
Real-time alerts will notify users
of nearby food safety issues,
including contamination and hidden
allergens.
Alerts & notifications
Real-time alerts will notify users
of nearby food safety issues,
including contamination and hidden
allergens.
Eat with friends
Users can share their profiles
with friends who also have allergies,
allowing both to receive personalized
recommendations that meet each
other's dietary needs.
Eat with friends
Users can share their profiles
with friends who also have allergies,
allowing both to receive personalized
recommendations that meet each
other's dietary needs.
Prototype
Onboarding
Restaurant details
Translator & detector
Notification alerts
Profile
Adding friends
Onboarding
Restaurant details
Translator & detector
Notification alerts
Profile
Adding friends
Onboarding
Restaurant details
Translator & detector
Notification alerts
Profile
Adding friends
Onboarding
Restaurant details
Translator & detector
Notification alerts
Profile
Adding friends
User Testing
User feedback
"I love how easy it is to find safe restaurants nearby that cater to my specific allergies. The app really takes the stress out of dining out."
"The ingredient translator is a game-changer, especially when traveling. It quickly identifies hidden allergens that I would have otherwise missed."
"The app's intuitive design and comprehensive features make managing my dietary restrictions effortless."
User Testing
User feedback
"I love how easy it is to find safe restaurants nearby that cater to my specific allergies. The app really takes the stress out of dining out."
"The ingredient translator is a game-changer, especially when traveling. It quickly identifies hidden allergens that I would have otherwise missed."
"The app's intuitive design and comprehensive features make managing my dietary restrictions effortless."
Questionare
I created a questionnaire users to
complete in order to assess the
app's effectiveness.
Questionnaire
I created a questionnaire users to
complete in order to assess the
app's effectiveness.
Results
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
average out of 10 said yes average out of 10 said yes average out of 10
average out of 10 said yes average out of 10 said yes average out of 10
average out of 10 said yes average out of 10 said yes average out of 10
Suggestions
Users suggested adding more detailed information on cross-contamination risks, including insights into restaurant safety practices. I had previously considered this idea; however, I did not implement it because I did not think that this would be very feasible as it would be difficult to obtain this kind of data in real life. They also recommended enhancing the social aspect of the app, such as enabling users to connect with others online who have similar dietary needs.
Suggestions
Users suggested adding more detailed information on cross-contamination risks, including insights into restaurant safety practices. I had previously considered this idea; however, I did not implement it because I did not think that this would be very feasible as it would be difficult to obtain this kind of data in real life. They also recommended enhancing the social aspect of the app, such as enabling users to connect with others online who have similar dietary needs.
Iterations
Before After
Before After
Before After
Before After
Design is too simple and not visually appealing.
Design is too simple and not visually appealing.
Design is too simple and
not visually appealing.
More visual graphics and communicates
the information better.
More visual graphics and communicates
the information better.
More visual graphics and communicates
the information better.
Iterations
Before After
Before After
Long paragraphs and excessive texts
are hard to read.
Long paragraphs and excessive texts
are hard to read.
Long paragraphs and excessive texts
are hard to read.
Better visual hierarchy and
stronger sense of urgency.
Better visual hierarchy and
stronger sense of urgency.
Better visual hierarchy and
stronger sense of urgency.
Reflection
Problems I encountered
- Obtaining data. Finding participants with food allergies was quite challenging. Recruiting individuals who not only had allergies and dietary restrictions but also were willing to provide detailed feedback required considerable effort.
- Assumptions vs. user needs: In the beginning, relying on my own personal experience with allergies and eating out rather than extensive preliminary user research led to assumptions about user behavior that could have been addressed with better insights.
- Feature overload: Going into the project, I had a lot of different ideas. However, it was difficult to balancing a comprehensive set of features while maintaining a user-friendly interface.
What I would do differently next time
Prioritizing a more streamlined approach. Initially, I was considering so many different possible features for the app that made me take away my focus on the more important features. It's essential to focusing on the most critical features first and gradually introducing additional functionalities based on user feedback.
Iterative- testing more frequently. I conducted larger, less frequent user tests throughout the project, but later realized that more frequent, smaller-scale testing during development would have helped identify potential issues earlier.
Allocating more time for research. I did a lot of brainstorming on my own rather than spend additional time on preliminary user research to better understand the target audience's needs and preferences. Thus, I realized that this approach led to some assumptions about user behavior that could have been avoided with more thorough initial research, ultimately impacting the design decisions.
Reflection
Problems I encountered
- Obtaining data. Finding participants with food allergies was quite challenging. Recruiting individuals who not only had allergies and dietary restrictions but also were willing to provide detailed feedback required considerable effort.
- Assumptions vs. user needs: In the beginning, relying on my own personal experience with allergies and eating out rather than extensive preliminary user research led to assumptions about user behavior that could have been addressed with better insights.
- Feature overload: Going into the project, I had a lot of different ideas. However, it was difficult to balancing a comprehensive set of features while maintaining a user-friendly interface.
What I would do differently next time
Prioritizing a more streamlined approach. Initially, I was considering so many different possible features for the app that made me take away my focus on the more important features. It's essential to focusing on the most critical features first and gradually introducing additional functionalities based on user feedback.
Iterative- testing more frequently. I conducted larger, less frequent user tests throughout the project, but later realized that more frequent, smaller-scale testing during development would have helped identify potential issues earlier.
Allocating more time for research. I did a lot of brainstorming on my own rather than spend additional time on preliminary user research to better understand the target audience's needs and preferences. Thus, I realized that this approach led to some assumptions about user behavior that could have been avoided with more thorough initial research, ultimately impacting the design decisions.