Problem statement

Nigerian citizens who relocate or travel to the UK often struggle to adapt to the foreign cuisine and crave the meals they are accustomed to. In response to this, we propose creating a platform that serves as a meeting point for Nigerian individuals in the UK who wish to purchase Nigerian meals and vendors who offer such meals, similar to a food delivery service like Doordash. By bringing together demand and supply for Nigerian meals, we aim to address the challenge faced by Nigerians in finding their preferred cuisine in the UK.

The process

Empathise

User Research

I conducted user research to understand the dining experiences of Nigerians in the UK. To gather this information, I conducted remote interviews with 20 Nigerians between the ages of 20 to 40, asking about their food preference and any challenges they encountered while eating in the UK. I also gathered their opinions on potential solutions to these problems.

The goal of this research was to identify the challenges and preferences of Nigerians when eating in the UK and identify opportunities for improvement. Through the interviews, I was able to gather valuable insights into the dining experiences of Nigerians in the UK and identify areas where the experience could be improved.

This research was valuable in helping me to understand the needs and preferences of this specific group of users and design solutions that meet their needs. It also taught me the importance of gathering insights directly from users in order to design a service that meets their needs and expectations. By considering the perspective of the user, I was able to develop a more targeted and effective solution.

Define

User Persona

I created a user persona based on interviews with typical users of the app to highlight their pains and the problems the app will solve for them. By creating a user persona, I was able to better understand the needs and preferences of our target audience and design an app that meets their needs.

To create the user persona, I gathered information about the typical users of the app through interviews, including their background, goals, and any frustrations they had with similar apps or problems they were trying to solve. I used this information to create a detailed profile of the user, including a little bio, a list of their goals, and their pains and frustrations. This helped me to better understand their perspective and design an app that addresses their needs and pain points.

The user persona was a valuable tool for me as a designer, as it helped me to think more deeply about the needs of our users and design an app that is tailored to their specific needs. It also allowed me to consider different scenarios in which the user might use the app and design an experience that is intuitive and seamless.

I learned the importance of gathering insights directly from users and considering their perspectives in the design process. I also gained a better understanding of the needs and preferences of our target audience and how the app can meet those needs .

Competitive Analysis

I conducted a competitive analysis of close competitors to identify potential features for 9jaChow that could give us a competitive advantage. To do this, I reviewed each competitor's features and made a list of their standout and unique features that users might find appealing. I also gathered user feedback on which features they liked the most.

The analysis revealed some features that our close competitors lacked that we could implement in 9jaChow, such as the consideration of both independent restaurants and home-based kitchens. By understanding what features our competitors offer, we can make informed decisions about which features to prioritize in the development of our app.

This analysis taught me the importance of keeping an eye on the competition and understanding what features users find most valuable. I also gained insight into how different apps approach similar problems and what approaches are successful in the market.

Ideate

Sitemap: The sitemap for the app

The sitemap I designed for the app was intended to showcase the different user paths and tasks they could accomplish. To build the sitemap, I first examined preexisting user flows and personas. Then, I outlined the various pages, content, and relationships between them, along with the tasks users could complete in each step.

The purpose of the sitemap was to make the overall structure and navigation of the app clear to stakeholders. It was also a great way to get an overall view of the app and how it fits into the user's workflow. Through this process, I learned the importance of considering the overall structure and navigation of a product and how it fits into the user's experience. I also grew to understand how the different elements of the app work together, and how users will move through the app to achieve their goals.

Wireframe

Sketch

To create the low-fidelity wireframe, I used the sitemap as a guide and drew a simple sketch of the app's screens. The focus was on the structure and layout of the interface, rather than on visual design elements.

The goal of this low-fidelity wireframe was to test the usability and overall flow of the app with users. By showing the wireframe to users and observing their interactions with it, I was able to gather valuable feedback on the app's design and pinpoint any areas that needed improvement.

This process taught me the importance of gathering early user feedback and iterating based on it. I also gained a better understanding of how users interact with the app and what areas of the design need to be revised.

Wireframe

To create a low-fidelity wireframe, I began by consulting the hand-drawn sketch I had made as a guide. Then, I used Figma to create a simple layout of the app's screens, focusing on the structure and layout of the interface rather than on visual design elements.

The purpose of this low-fidelity wireframe was to test the usability and overall flow of the app with users. By showing the wireframe to users and observing their interactions with it, I was able to collect valuable feedback on the app's design and pinpoint any areas that needed improvement.

Through this process, I discovered the importance of gathering early user feedback and making revisions based on it. I also gained a better understanding of how users interact with the app and what aspects of the design need to be revised.

Hi-fidelity wireframe

To create the high-fidelity wireframe, I started by incorporating the feedback from the low-fidelity wireframe into the layout and flow of the app.

The goal of this hi-fidelity wireframe was to test the overall look and feel of the app with users and get their final feedback before continuing with the development phase. By showing the wireframe to users and observing their interactions with it, I was able to gather valuable feedback on the app's design and make any necessary final changes.

I learned the importance of collecting final feedback on design concepts before proceeding with development. I also gained a better understanding of how users interact with the app's visual design and identified any areas that needed improvement.

Usability test

I conducted a usability study to assess whether users were able to complete key tasks and identify any potential issues with the app flow and experience.

I selected a group of representative users and asked them to complete a series of tasks using the app. I observed their interactions with the app and recorded any issues they encountered or feedback they had. I also asked them questions about their overall experience with the app and gathered their feedback.

The purpose of the usability study was to identify any issues users had with the app flow and experience and collect feedback on the app's design. By conducting the study and gathering this feedback, I was able to make well-informed decisions about how to improve the app and make sure it meets the needs and expectations of its users.

I learned the importance of obtaining feedback from representative users to understand how well a product meets their needs. I also gained a better understanding of the user experience with the app and identified areas for design improvement.

UI Kit

Colour Palette

Typography

Visual Design

Landing Page Design

Prototype

Reflections

During this project, I learned a lot about the differences between what users want and what we think they want. By conducting user research and usability testing, I gained a better understanding of the needs and preferences of our target audience and was able to design a product that meets those needs.

One of the most important lessons I gained was the importance of gathering feedback from representative users to understand how well a product meets their needs. Through the usability testing, I was able to identify areas of improvement and gather feedback on the app's design. This enabled me to make informed decisions about how to improve the app and ensure that it meets the users' needs and expectations.

Although I would have liked to do more rounds of testing, time constraints did not allow for it. However, I still gained valuable insights into usability testing and how it can be used to refine the user experience.

Overall, this project was a great learning experience for me. It taught me the importance of gathering insights directly from users and considering their perspective in the design process. It also helped me to gain a better understanding of the needs and preferences of our target audience and how to design a product that meets those needs.