Data points were organized using affinity mapping and synthesized into personas to represent different archetypes within the target audience.

Data points were organized using affinity mapping and synthesized into personas to represent different archetypes within the target audience.

Data points were organized using affinity mapping and synthesized into personas to represent different archetypes within the target audience.

RESEARCH APPROACH:

Individuals with dietary restrictions were recruited and interviewed using directed storytelling in order to discover common practices and pain points when making restaurant reservations.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

For people with specific dietary criteria, the process of choosing a restaurant and making a reservation can be tedious. They must juggle multiple online tools including website menus, user reviews and Google Maps, along with the reservation app itself.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

For people with specific dietary criteria, the process of choosing a restaurant and making a reservation can be tedious. They must juggle multiple online tools including website menus, user reviews and Google Maps, along with the reservation app itself.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

For people with specific dietary criteria, the process of choosing a restaurant and making a reservation can be tedious. They must juggle multiple online tools including website menus, user reviews and Google Maps, along with the reservation app itself.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

For people with specific dietary criteria, the process of choosing a restaurant and making a reservation can be tedious. They must juggle multiple online tools including website menus, user reviews and Google Maps, along with the reservation app itself.

RESEARCH ANALYSIS - KEY INGREDIENTS:

The personas were evaluated in order to identify the critical features necessary to create a comprehensive restaurant reservation application for the target audience.

These findings where then synthesized to create a unified user goal for evaluating all aspects of the project going forward.

RESEARCH ANALYSIS:

The personas were evaluated in order to identify the critical features necessary to create a comprehensive restaurant reservation application for the target audience.

These findings where then synthesized to create a unified user goal for evaluating all aspects of the project going forward.

RESEARCH ANALYSIS:

The personas were evaluated in order to identify the critical features necessary to create a comprehensive restaurant reservation application for the target audience.

These findings where then synthesized to create a unified user goal for evaluating all aspects of the project going forward.

RESEARCH ANALYSIS:

The personas were evaluated in order to identify the critical features necessary to create a comprehensive restaurant reservation application for the target audience.

These findings where then synthesized to create a unified user goal for evaluating all aspects of the project going forward.

SUPPORTING GOALS:

SUPPORTING GOALS:

SUPPORTING GOALS:

SECONDARY GOALS:

Make map locations the starting point for navigation

Make map locations the starting point for navigation

Make map locations the starting point for navigation

Make map locations the starting point for navigation

Let users input their food restrictions into a personal profile

Let users input their food restrictions into a personal profile

Let users input their food restrictions into a personal profile

Let users input their food restrictions into a personal profile

Immediately convey restaurant food sensitivity compatibility

Immediately convey restaurant food sensitivity compatibility

Immediately convey restaurant food sensitivity compatibility

Immediately convey restaurant food sensitivity compatibility

Allow users to filter restaurants and reviews to match their dietary criteria

Implement customer Instagram feed to validate brand

Implement customer Instagram feed to validate brand.

Allow users to filter restaurants and reviews to match their dietary criteria

LIKE GOOGLE MAPS, BUT WITH RESERVATIONS:

Rough wireframe sketches were used to ideate a variety of layout possibilities for the mobile application. They were evaluated in terms of which best matched user needs discovered during the interview process.

These included closely resembling Google Maps, clearly communicating a restaurant's ability to accommodate food restrictions at a map-level, and featuring accessible reviews written by individuals with the same food sensitivities.

WIREFRAMING:

Rough wireframe sketches were used to ideate a variety of layout possibilities for the mobile application. They were evaluated in terms of which best matched user needs discovered during the interview process.

These included closely resembling Google Maps, clearly communicating a restaurant's ability to accommodate food restrictions at a map-level, and featuring accessible reviews written by individuals with the same food sensitivities.

WIREFRAMING:

Rough wireframe sketches were used to ideate a variety of layout possibilities for the mobile application. They were evaluated in terms of which best matched user needs discovered during the interview process.

These included closely resembling Google Maps, clearly communicating a restaurant's ability to accommodate food restrictions at a map-level, and featuring accessible reviews written by individuals with the same food sensitivities.

WIREFRAMING:

Rough wireframe sketches were used to ideate a variety of layout possibilities for the mobile application. They were evaluated in terms of which best matched user needs discovered during the interview process.

These included closely resembling Google Maps, clearly communicating a restaurant's ability to accommodate food restrictions at a map-level, and featuring accessible reviews written by individuals with the same food sensitivities.

Once an optimal layout was selected, the hand-drawn wireframes where digitized using Sketch to create mid-fidelity greyscale wireframes to be used as a basis for prototyping.

Once an optimal layout was selected, the hand-drawn wireframes where digitized using Sketch to create mid-fidelity greyscale wireframes to be used as a basis for prototyping.

Once an optimal layout was selected, the hand-drawn wireframes where digitized using Sketch to create mid-fidelity greyscale wireframes to be used as a basis for prototyping.

Once an optimal layout was selected, the hand-drawn wireframes where digitized using Sketch to create mid-fidelity greyscale wireframes to be used as a basis for prototyping.

PROTOYPING - A SIMPLE RECIPE:

The first phase of prototyping was to develop a screen flow to aid in visualizing the links and interactions between screens. An emphasis was placed on maintaining a minimalistic approach that would facilitate the user goal in as few steps as possible.

PROTOTYPING:

The first phase of prototyping was to develop a screen flow to aid in visualizing the links and interactions between screens. An emphasis was placed on maintaining a minimalistic approach that would facilitate the user goal in as few steps as possible.

PROTOTYPING:

The first phase of prototyping was to develop a screen flow to aid in visualizing the links and interactions between screens. An emphasis was placed on maintaining a minimalistic approach that would facilitate the user goal in as few steps as possible.

PROTOTYPING:

The first phase was to develop a screen flow. This aided in visualizing the basic steps users would perform to navigate through in the application.

Once the relationship between the screens was decided, each was constructed and linked together using Axure to create a working prototype. An emphasis was placed on utilizing micro-interactions and animations for user touch-points and navigation elements. This was to give the user feedback and make clear where they were in the reservation making process.

Once the relationship between the screens was decided, each was constructed and linked together using Axure to create a working prototype. An emphasis was placed on utilizing micro-interactions and animations for user touch-points and navigation elements. This was to give the user feedback and make clear where they were in the reservation making process.

Once the relationship between the screens was decided, each was constructed and linked together using Axure to create a working prototype. An emphasis was placed on utilizing micro-interactions and animations for user touch-points and navigation elements. This was to give the user feedback and make clear where they were in the reservation making process.

Once the relationship between the screens was decided, each was constructed and linked together using Axure to create a working prototype.

User Profile Prototype Screen:

Here users are able to input their dietary preferences that are persistently represented in a user preferences status bar in the upper left corner. A filter that shows only restaurants that match this criteria on the map can be activated here as well.

If they choose, users can also input their personal and contact information. The application keeps track of this data and uses it later to submit reservations.

User Profile:

Here users are able to input their dietary preferences that are persistently represented in a user preferences status bar in the upper left corner. A filter that shows only restaurants that match this criteria on the map can be activated here as well.

If they choose, users can also input their personal and contact information. The application keeps track of this data and uses it later to submit reservations.

User Profile:

Here users are able to input their dietary preferences that are persistently represented in a user preferences status bar in the upper left corner. A filter that shows only restaurants that match this criteria on the map can be activated here as well.

If they choose, users can also input their personal and contact information. The application keeps track of this data and uses it later to submit reservations.

User Profile:

Here users are able to input their dietary preferences that are persistently represented in a user preferences status bar in the upper left corner. A filter that shows only restaurants that match this criteria on the map can be activated here as well.

If they choose, users can also input their personal and contact information. The application keeps track of this data and uses it later to submit reservations.

Map Search Prototype Screen:

This screen consists of a draggable map that is very similar to the appearance and function of Google Maps. A search bar at the top of the screen can be used to search by restaurant or location.

When a restaurant is initially selected, basic information including its compatibility with food sensitivities is immediately shown.

Map Search:

This screen consists of a draggable map that is very similar to the appearance and function of Google Maps. A search bar at the top of the screen can be used to search by restaurant or location.

When a restaurant is initially selected, basic information including its compatibility with food sensitivities is immediately shown.

Map Search:

This screen consists of a draggable map that is very similar to the appearance and function of Google Maps. A search bar at the top of the screen can be used to search by restaurant or location.

When a restaurant is initially selected, basic information including its compatibility with food sensitivities is immediately shown.

Map Search:

This screen consists of a draggable map that is very similar to the appearance and function of Google Maps. A search bar at the top of the screen can be used to search by restaurant or location.

When a restaurant is initially selected, basic information including its compatibility with food sensitivities is immediately shown.

Restaurant Info Prototype Screen:

This screen conveys basic information such as hours, address and phone number. It also features a link to view the restaurant's menu.

The key feature of this menu is the ability to filter reviews to those written by individuals who match the users dietary criteria. During research this was identified as a much sought after feature.

Restaurant Info:

This screen conveys basic information such as hours, address and phone number. It also features a link to view the restaurant's menu.

The key feature of this menu is the ability to filter reviews to those written by individuals who match the users dietary criteria. During research this was identified as a much sought after feature.

Restaurant Info:

This screen conveys basic information such as hours, address and phone number. It also features a link to view the restaurant's menu.

The key feature of this menu is the ability to filter reviews to those written by individuals who match the users dietary criteria. During research this was identified as a much sought after feature.

Restaurant Info:

This screen conveys basic information such as hours, address and phone number. It also features a link to view the restaurant's menu.

The key feature of this menu is the ability to filter reviews to those written by individuals who match the users dietary criteria. During research this was identified as a much sought after feature.

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING:

In order to measure the effectiveness of the prototype, usability testing was conducted. During usability testing, users were encouraged to use think-aloud protocol in order to make clear their level of understanding and thought process as they interacted with the application on a mobile device.

USABILITY TESTING:

In order to measure the effectiveness of the prototype, usability testing was conducted. During usability testing, users were encouraged to use think aloud protocol in order to make clear their level of understanding and thought process as they interacted with the application on a mobile device.

USABILITY TESTING:

In order to measure the effectiveness of the prototype, usability testing was conducted. During usability testing, users were encouraged to use think aloud protocol in order to make clear their level of understanding and thought process as they interacted with the application on a mobile device.

USABILITY TESTING:

In order to measure the effectiveness of the prototype, usability testing was conducted. During usability testing, users were encouraged to use think aloud protocol in order to make clear their level of understanding and thought process as they interacted with the application on a mobile device.

The subjects where given a specific scenario to roleplay; that of a gluten-free and dairy free individual making an upcoming dinner reservation for themselves and their family. Within this context they were given 3 unique tasks to accomplish:

 The subjects where given a specific scenario to roleplay; that of a gluten-free and dairy free individual making an upcoming dinner reservation for themselves and their family. Within this context they were given 3 unique tasks to accomplish:

 The subjects where given a specific scenario to roleplay; that of a gluten-free and dairy free individual making an upcoming dinner reservation for themselves and their family. Within this context they were given 3 unique tasks to accomplish:

The subjects where given a specific scenario to roleplay; that of a gluten-free and dairy free individual making an upcoming dinner reservation for themselves and their family. Within this context they were given 3 unique tasks to accomplish:

Input personal information and food sensitivities into a user profile

Input personal information and food sensitivities into a user profile

Input personal information and food sensitivities into a user profile

Input personal information and food sensitivities into a user profile

Find a restaurant that matched their dietary criteria

Find a restaurant that matched their dietary criteria

Find a restaurant that matched their dietary criteria

Find a restaurant that matched their dietary criteria

Make a reservation at the restaurant they had identified

Make a reservation at the restaurant they had identified

Make a reservation at the restaurant they had identified

Make a reservation at the restaurant they had identified

The findings were then organized into a usability testing report. This document detailed the goals, methodology, and results of usability testing.

The findings were then organized into a usability testing report. This document detailed the goals, methodology, and results of usability testing.

The findings were then organized into a usability testing report. This document detailed the goals, methodology, and results of usability testing.

The findings were then organized into a usability testing report. This document detailed the goals, methodology, and results of usability testing.

Insights from this usability testing report were then integrated into the prototype to create a final version.

Insights from this usability testing report were then integrated into the prototype to create a final version.

Insights from this usability testing report were then integrated into the prototype to create a final version.

Insights from this usability testing report were then integrated into the prototype to create a final version.

ICING THE CAKE:

Although the application proved to be a successful tool for helping users accomplish the primary user goal, usability testing revealed additional features that would further enhance the product's usefulness:

CONCLUSION:

The application proved to be a successful tool for helping users accomplish the primary user goal and usability testing revealed additional features that would further enhance the product's usefulness:

CONCLUSION:

Although the application proved to be a successful tool for helping users accomplish the primary user goal, usability testing revealed additional features that would further enhance the product's usefulness:

CONCLUSION:

Although the application proved to be a successful tool for helping users accomplish the primary user goal, usability testing revealed additional features that would further enhance the product's usefulness:

A screen that would allow users to quickly navigate to a list of restaurants that they had marked as favorites.

A screen that would allow users to quickly navigate to a list of restaurants that they had marked as favorites.

A screen that would allow users to quickly navigate to a list of restaurants that they had marked as favorites. 

A screen that would allow users to quickly navigate to a list of restaurants that they had marked as favorites.

A screen detailing all upcoming reservations instead of having to rely on confirmation emails to find the information.

A screen detailing all upcoming reservations instead of having to rely on confirmation emails to find the information.

A screen detailing all upcoming reservations instead of having to rely on confirmation emails to find the information.

A screen detailing all upcoming reservations instead of having to rely on confirmation emails to find the information.