Pantry is a digital platform designed to address the pressing issues of food waste and food insecurity. By connecting individuals, households, restaurants, and grocery stores with surplus unsold or leftover food, Pantry offers an affordable solution to minimize food waste and ensure everyone has access to nutritious meals.

Role

  • UX researcher
  • UX Writer
  • Visual Designer
  • Wireframing
  • Interaction design

Tools

  • Figma
  • Illustrator
  • Photoshop
  • HTML/CSS
  • Website Builders

Duration

20 weeks

Team

Solo

Problem & Solution

Through my research, I identified the pressing problem of food waste and its impact on food security and the environment. To address this, I created the Pantry app as a platform that connects surplus food sellers with buyers, offering affordable and nutritious options to minimize waste and ensure everyone has access to quality meals. The app allows users to discover a wide range of surplus food items and purchase them at reduced prices, while also empowering individuals to sell their excess produce or food items. With a focus on user experience, visual design, and a seamless app flow, Pantry serves as a practical and user-friendly solution, promoting sustainability and community engagement.

Research & Content Strategy

I explored existing apps and social platforms that addressed the problem of food wastage and food insecurity. While I discovered several solutions catering to events and grocery stores, I noticed a significant gap in the market. None of these platforms provided a dedicated space to connect households with surplus food and produce to potential buyers. This insight highlighted the unique opportunity for Pantry to fill this void and offer a solution that connects individuals directly, fostering a more sustainable and efficient way to address food waste.

After identifying the gap in existing solutions, I conducted thorough research for the Pantry app. I began by interviewing various stakeholders, including bakery owners, Costco customers, and garden owners, to gather valuable insights for designing a solution that effectively addresses the problem of food wastage.

Competiter Analysis

Empathy Map

Jobs to be done

As a designer creating the Pantry app, I have identified the following key “Jobs to be Done” for our users:
  1. Connect sellers with surplus food to buyers:
    • I want to provide a platform where households, grocery stores, and bakeries can easily connect with potential buyers interested in purchasing their surplus food and produce.
  1. To help users find affordable food options:
    • I aim to create a solution that helps users discover and buy surplus food at lower prices, allowing them to save money on their grocery expenses.
  1. To minimize food waste:
    • I want to empower users to sell or donate excess food items through the app, ensuring that they are utilized instead of being wasted.
  1. To ensure freshness and quality:
    • I strive to design a reliable platform that guarantees the freshness and quality of the surplus food being offered, giving users confidence in their purchases.
  1. To promote sustainability and community support:
    • I am committed to supporting sustainability efforts by creating a platform that encourages the purchase of surplus food, helping reduce food waste and fostering a sense of community.

Northstar Statement & Kvps

Our mission at Pantry is to reduce food wastage and to increase food security by connecting people to households, restaurant and grocery stores who have surplus unsold or leftover food and provide that food at affordable prices without compromising quality. Pantry believes that food is not meant to waste, it should be used for hunger relief. Pantry will play part in conserving resourse by reducing food wastage.

Kvps

  • Pantry will increase food security.
  • Conserve resources by preventing food waste.
  • Provide quality food.
  • Bring households, stores and reastaurants on one platform.
  • Treat food for hunger relief not for waste.

User Persona

  • Name: Emily Thompson
  • Occupation: Full-time student
  • Age: 20
  • Budget-conscious individual with limited financial resources.
  • Seeking affordable and convenient food options.
  • Often in need of late-night snacks or quick meals.
  • Name: Davi Wilson
  • Occupation: Sales Manager
  • Age: 40
  • Responsible for grocery shopping for the family.
  • Looking for everyday essentials like bread, milk, and other household items.
  • Value convenience and time-saving solutions.
  • Name: Thomas Turner
  • Occupation: Retired Teacher
  • Age: 65
  • Enjoys gardening and has surplus garden produce.
  • Interested in selling or sharing excess garden items.
  • Seeks a platform to connect with potential buyers or local community members.

Design Process

In my design process for the Pantry mobile app, I began by focusing on the key “jobs to be done” and framing three task flows to address the specific needs of our users. This initial step helped me understand the core functionalities and user interactions required for a successful app design. From there, I proceeded to create low-fidelity wireframes that provided a foundational structure for the app’s interface.

User Flows

  1. A person who has his garden surplus wants to sell food on Pantry.
  2. User looking for bread and milk to feed her family.
  3.  Student on low budget looking for late night munchies.

Low-fidelity wireframes

Atomic Design Methodology for Hi-Fidelity wireframes

After creating the initial wireframes, I broke down the design into smaller reusable components using atomic design principles. I then selected a color palette and typography that aligned with the brand and tested their accessibility. Next, I designed buttons, components, and icons to maintain consistency throughout the app. Finally, I incorporated these elements into high-fidelity wireframes, resulting in a polished and cohesive design that reflects the essence of the Pantry brand.

Color Accessibility Test

Logo & Graphics

For the logo & graphics, I opted for simple illustrations that reflect food and sustainability. The logo features clean lines and elements that represent freshness and abundance. In terms of graphics, I used minimalist illustrations to convey the concept of surplus food and eco-friendly practices

Components

Final Design

Reflection

Working on the Pantry app project has been an insightful and fulfilling experience. I learned the importance of understanding user needs and applied various design methodologies to create an intuitive and visually appealing solution. The logo and graphics, featuring simple illustrations, effectively convey the concept of food sustainability. I received positive feedback on the design elements, which further validated their success. Moving forward, I see potential for future improvements, such as personalized recommendations and incorporating user feedback through usability testing. This project has enhanced my skills and reinforced the significance of user-centered design principles. Overall, I am excited to continue refining the Pantry app and pursuing new design opportunities that prioritize user experiences.

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