bitebuddy
Food resource locator for UTD students
Bitebuddy ensures UTD students can easily access and learn about food resources ranging from discounted meals to food pantries. The app's main goal is to address food insecurity by reducing stigma around food pantries, providing useful real-time updates about local discounts, and fostering community-driven support through a welcoming, studen-centered platform.
Bitebuddy ensures UTD students can easily access and learn about food resources ranging from discounted meals to food pantries. The app's main goal is to address food insecurity by reducing stigma around food pantries, providing useful real-time updates about local discounts, and fostering community-driven support through a welcoming, studen-centered platform.
My Role
My Role
UX/UI Designer
Researcher
UX/UI Designer
Researcher
Timeline
Timeline
September – November 2024
September – November 2024
Key Deliverables
Key Deliverables
- User surveys and interviews
- Competitive analysis
- Interactive prototype
- User surveys and interviews
- Competitive analysis
- Interactive prototype
The Problem
Food insecurity in college students is becoming increasingly more common
The Problem
Food insecurity in college students is becoming increasingly more common
Overview
Overview
Food-insecure students have a 42% lower chance of graduating compared to their food-secure peers (Source)
About 59% of students who were potentially eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) did not report receiving benefits. (Source)
Approximately 23% of undergraduate students experience food insecurity, equating to over 4 million individuals. (Source)
Food-insecure students have a 42% lower chance of graduating compared to their food-secure peers (Source)
About 59% of students who were potentially eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) did not report receiving benefits. (Source)
Approximately 23% of undergraduate students experience food insecurity, equating to over 4 million individuals. (Source)
The Solution
Provide access to and raise awareness about student food resources
The Solution
Provide access to and raise awareness about student food resources
Our aim is to give all UTD students access to and knowledge about the food resources at their disposal, as well as raise awareness of and remove the stigma surrounding food pantries. We aim to do this through seamless resource connection and community support to foster a welcoming, effective discourse about food insecurity
Our aim is to give all UTD students access to and knowledge about the food resources at their disposal, as well as raise awareness of and remove the stigma surrounding food pantries. We aim to do this through seamless resource connection and community support to foster a welcoming, effective discourse about food insecurity
Design Statement
Problem Statement
When UTD students lack the funds to buy food, they face challenges such as limited access to affordable options, insufficient time to seek resources due to academic and work commitments, and the stigma associated with food assistance. They need an app that effectively circumvents these barriers by providing a discreet, efficient, and user-friendly solution that connects students to food resources, ensures accessibility, and promotes a supportive community to reduce the stigma around food insecurity.
Design Statement
Problem Statement
When UTD students lack the funds to buy food, they face challenges such as limited access to affordable options, insufficient time to seek resources due to academic and work commitments, and the stigma associated with food assistance. They need an app that effectively circumvents these barriers by providing a discreet, efficient, and user-friendly solution that connects students to food resources, ensures accessibility, and promotes a supportive community to reduce the stigma around food insecurity.
Segment of Interest (SOI)
Our segment of interest are UT Dallas students that are negatively impacted by food insecurity at some point in their academic career
Segment of Interest (SOI)
Our segment of interest are UT Dallas students that are negatively impacted by food insecurity at some point in their academic career
Research
I asked UTD students what their experiences with food insecurity were like
Research
I asked UTD students what their experiences with food insecurity were like
I interviewed 4 UTD students to get a better idea of their own personal experiences with food insecurity and came away with 5 main takeaways.
Students prioritize proximity, cost, and availability of food
Financial constraints = biggest factor in food insecurity
Motivation and performance ability significantly decreased when hungry
Other factors are lack of time to look for resources or adequately meal prep, and lack of transportation
None of the interviewees used a specific tool solely for locating resources and discounts outside of Google
I interviewed 4 UTD students to get a better idea of their own personal experiences with food insecurity and came away with 5 main takeaways.
Students prioritize proximity, cost, and availability of food
Financial constraints = biggest factor in food insecurity
Motivation and performance ability significantly decreased when hungry
Other factors are lack of time to look for resources or adequately meal prep, and lack of transportation
None of the interviewees used a specific tool solely for locating resources and discounts outside of Google
User Persona
I then designed a primary user persona for the app
After interviewing a few UTD students about their experiences with food insecurity, as well as gathering data from the app survey, I created a user persona based on this information.
According to 3 out of 4 participants, financial constraints are the biggest contributor to food insecurity
All 4 interview participants cited cost, proximity, and convenience as their number one determiner of what to eat
Lastly, 3 out of 4 participants currently live off campus, but said that proximity to food resources was their number one concern when they dormed and had no vehicles during freshman year
User Persona
I then designed a primary user persona for the app
After interviewing a few UTD students about their experiences with food insecurity, as well as gathering data from the app survey, I created a user persona based on this information.
According to 3 out of 4 participants, financial constraints are the biggest contributor to food insecurity
All 4 interview participants cited cost, proximity, and convenience as their number one determiner of what to eat
Lastly, 3 out of 4 participants currently live off campus, but said that proximity to food resources was their number one concern when they dormed and had no vehicles during freshman year
After conducting the interviews and creating a primary user persona, I compiled a list of mandatory functions and features of this app are to connect students with local free food resources, student discounts/deals, a meal swipe trading system, and a community platform that allows them to connect with their peers and share tips, advice, and questions anonymously if they wish to avoid the stigma associated with food assistance.
After conducting the interviews and creating a primary user persona, I compiled a list of mandatory functions and features of this app are to connect students with local free food resources, student discounts/deals, a meal swipe trading system, and a community platform that allows them to connect with their peers and share tips, advice, and questions anonymously if they wish to avoid the stigma associated with food assistance.
User Journey/Flow
I then mapped out a typical user flow for the app to get a better idea of how users might interact with the app
After conducting usability testing with a participant, I then modified the user flow based on their feedback to get a more accurate understanding of how a typical user might interact with the experience
User Journey/Flow
I then mapped out a typical user flow for the app to get a better idea of how users might interact with the app
After conducting usability testing with a participant, I then modified the user flow based on their feedback to get a more accurate understanding of how a typical user might interact with the experience
Competitive Analysis
Let's take a look at other apps
I then took a look at other meal sharing and food locator apps to gain a better understanding of what features are common, and what features are missing.
Competitive Analysis
Let's take a look at other apps
I then took a look at other meal sharing and food locator apps to gain a better understanding of what features are common, and what features are missing.
Key Features
I conducted a survey of 20 UTD students to determine what features they would use in a potential food resource app. The students then rated features on a scale of 1-10.
Key Features
I conducted a survey of 20 UTD students to determine what features they would use in a potential food resource app. The students then rated features on a scale of 1-10.
Final App Features
Feature 1 - Locate and look up local free food resources and discounts
Feature 3 - Meal swipe swap and trade
Feature 4 - Real-time notification updates
Feature 5 - Easy and inexpensive meal prep recipes
Feature 6 - Community support forum where users can discuss this topic
Final Feature: In-app food preferences and filters for dietary restrictions and personalization
Low Fidelity Wireframes
I then translated these ideas into lo-fi wireframes
List of Survey Features
Feature 1 - Locate and look up local free food resources and discounts
Feature 2 - Partner with local restaurants for student discounts and freebies
Feature 3 - Meal swipe swap and trade
Feature 4 - Real-time notification updates
Feature 5 - Easy and inexpensive meal prep recipes
Feature 6 - Community support forum where users can discuss this topic
Feature 7 - Transportation services for students without cars
Feature 8 - In-app food inventory and expiration date tracker
Feature 9 - Job board feature with part-time employment opportunities
List of Survey Features
Feature 1 - Locate and look up local free food resources and discounts
Feature 2 - Partner with local restaurants for student discounts and freebies
Feature 3 - Meal swipe swap and trade
Feature 4 - Real-time notification updates
Feature 5 - Easy and inexpensive meal prep recipes
Feature 6 - Community support forum where users can discuss this topic
Feature 7 - Transportation services for students without cars
Feature 8 - In-app food inventory and expiration date tracker
Feature 9 - Job board feature with part-time employment opportunities
Final App Features
Feature 1 - Locate and look up local free food resources and discounts
Feature 3 - Meal swipe swap and trade
Feature 4 - Real-time notification updates
Feature 5 - Easy and inexpensive meal prep recipes
Feature 6 - Community support forum where users can discuss this topic
+
Final Feature: In-app food preferences and filters for dietary restrictions and personalization
See features here
Low Fidelity Wireframes
I then translated these ideas into lo-fi wireframes
Empathy Map/Mandatories
Empathy Map/Mandatories
I then used the survey responses to narrow the list down to 6 total features.
I then used the survey responses to narrow the list down to 6 total features.
High Fidelity Wireframes
I narrowed down the features + completed all necessary screens
After reviewing the survey results, I removed the ride share option since it was rated low on the participants' priority list
I then added a meal swipe balance and trading screen that wasn't in the original iteration
Finally, I fleshed out the onboarding process to make the personalization process as detailed as possible
High Fidelity Wireframes
I narrowed down the features + completed all necessary screens
After reviewing the survey results, I removed the ride share option since it was rated low on the participants' priority list
I then added a meal swipe balance and trading screen that wasn't in the original iteration
Finally, I fleshed out the onboarding process to make the personalization process as detailed as possible
Final Prototype
The finalized hi-fi prototype
Final Prototype
The finalized hi-fi prototype
Thanks for stopping by!! Let's keep in touch
Created with love ❤️ by Elise Hart