I developed a cutting-edge mobile application for El Tapatio restaurant, aiming to provide seamless food ordering experiences for discerning customers. The primary goals were to simplify the ordering process, address dietary preferences by highlighting vegetarian options, and establish trust by ensuring food cross-contamination prevention.
To achieve these objectives, I utilized various methodologies, including in-depth interviews, meticulous wireframing, prototype creation, and rigorous usability studies. These efforts culminated in the successful development of a sophisticated mobile application. The application features a refined menu selection that specifically caters to each customer's dietary restrictions.
Through these endeavors, I have transformed the food ordering experience, offering a personalized journey for our valued clientele at El Tapatio restaurant.
Through meticulous research, including insightful interviews and the creation of empathy maps, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the users' desires and needs. This process confirmed that the primary user group consisted mainly of young adults with specific dietary restrictions, reaffirming our initial assumptions.
The research also uncovered significant challenges faced by the users. One prominent challenge was the lack of access to detailed descriptions of new and enticing dishes. Users also expressed concerns about unintentionally selecting menu items that did not align with their dietary restrictions, highlighting the importance of a seamless filtering mechanism.
Using these valuable insights as a foundation, I embarked on the subsequent development phases to address these challenges. By incorporating intuitive features and functionalities, our goal is to enhance the overall user experience, enabling individuals to make informed choices while exploring the diverse menu offered by the restaurant.
Angel Gonzales, a discerning vegetarian, prioritizes knowing the intricacies of food preparation and cooking processes to ensure a safe dining experience, free from any concerns of cross-contamination. Recognizing the importance of catering to his specific dietary needs, the application seeks to provide Angel and individuals like him with the necessary information to make informed decisions about their food choices.
Through an insightful mapping of Angel Gonzales' user journey, I discovered the significant benefits of having two distinct menus. This approach proved to be highly advantageous in meeting Angel's specific needs and enhancing his overall dining experience.
The initial focus of the design process was on creating user-friendly pages that enabled customers to easily order meals tailored to their specific food restrictions. By prioritizing this aspect, I aimed to enhance the overall convenience and satisfaction of our users.
Taking into consideration the valuable feedback received, I diligently implemented changes to enhance the user-friendliness of the design. This iterative process aimed to address any pain points identified by users, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience. By actively incorporating user feedback, I strive to continually refine and improve the design to meet the evolving needs and expectations of our valued users.
Recognizing the importance of accessibility, particular attention was given to the size of buttons in order to make the application user-friendly for individuals with disabilities. By ensuring that the buttons are adequately sized, I aim to enhance the ease of interaction and navigation, accommodating users with diverse needs and ensuring an inclusive experience for all.
Conducting two rounds of usability studies was instrumental in enhancing the application's user experience. The first study helped identify valuable features for improvement, while the second study guided necessary changes to the high-fidelity prototype.
During the design process, I made significant enhancements to the initial design. Recognizing the need for improved usability, I introduced key features and made structural changes to create a more user-friendly experience.
To provide greater convenience, I incorporated a "Dish of the Day" section on the main page, allowing users to easily view descriptions and add the dish to their cart with a simple click. Additionally, I relocated the cart to a corner position, reducing clutter and improving visual appeal.
To streamline the ordering process, I eliminated the separate "Order Now" page and instead placed the categories prominently at the top of the screen. This modification eliminated an extra step for users, providing seamless access to categories and allowing for effortless navigation. This approach not only enhanced usability but also gave the application a modern and visually appealing look.
These design enhancements aim to provide users with a more intuitive and engaging experience, with improved visibility of categories and a simplified ordering process.
The low-fidelity prototype I developed includes clear and visible connections between each page. These connections are designed to provide a seamless and intuitive navigation experience for users. By mapping out the flow and interactions between pages, the prototype allows for a comprehensive understanding of the application's structure and functionality. This enables stakeholders and users to visualize the user journey and provide valuable feedback for further refinement.
The high-fidelity prototype effectively caters to individuals with food restrictions, offering an intuitive and seamless ordering experience. Clear indications of menu options, detailed dish descriptions, and easy navigation enhance user satisfaction.
A notable impact of the usability studies conducted was the improved ability of users to easily place orders and develop trust in ordering from El Tapatio. The valuable feedback gathered from future users through these studies highlighted the significance of incorporating user perspectives in the design process. Without such feedback, the design may not have achieved the desired level of user-friendliness. The experience reinforced the importance of usability studies in informing design decisions and ensuring the creation of a user-friendly application that meets the needs and expectations of its intended users.
One quote from peer feedback:
“Having the option to only see vegetarian options made it so easy to order for my husband who is vegetarian and who I’ve mistakenly have order dishes with meat product before.”
To ensure that the prototype aligns with the original goals and meets the desired user experience, conducting another usability study is crucial. By engaging participants and gathering feedback, we can identify any potential areas that may have been missed or require improvement.
During the usability study, participants will have the opportunity to interact with the prototype and provide their insights, highlighting any usability issues or suggestions for enhancements. Their feedback will be invaluable in fine-tuning the design and making small but impactful changes to optimize the user experience.
By incorporating this feedback, I can address any overlooked aspects, refine the prototype, and align it more closely with the original goals of creating a user-friendly application. This iterative process ensures that the final product not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its users, providing a seamless and satisfying experience.
