Grace McIsaac Portfolio

Understanding the problem

Many recipe apps provide limited customization, making it difficult for people with dietary restrictions to find meals to make at home. This insight was gained from a survey on home cooks to better understand opportunities for a cooking app. The results of the survey pointed towards filtering, customizing ingredients, and easily understood recipe steps.

To better understand current challenges, I conducting benchmarking of existing apps like Food Network Kitchen and AllRecipes. These apps had limited filtering and offered no way to save or substitute preferred ingredients.

Understanding the problem

Many recipe apps provide limited customization, making it difficult for people with dietary restrictions to find meals to make at home. This insight was gained from a survey on home cooks to better understand opportunities for a cooking app. The results of the survey pointed towards filtering, customizing ingredients, and easily understood recipe steps.

To better understand current challenges, I conducting benchmarking of existing apps like Food Network Kitchen and AllRecipes. These apps had limited filtering and offered no way to save or substitute preferred ingredients.

Refining through testing

Two rounds of usability testing with low fidelity wireframes helped refine the experience. People gave feedback on different types and methods for filtering but were overall pleased with being able to save dietary preferences for ingredient substitution.

Refining through testing

Two rounds of usability testing with low fidelity wireframes helped refine the experience. People gave feedback on different types and methods for filtering but were overall pleased with being able to save dietary preferences for ingredient substitution.

Final designs and features

The final design of Open Book Recipes provides a personalized cooking experience allowing people to discover, filter, and customize recipes with ease. The home screen featured recommended recipes based on user preferences with filters for saved preferences and advanced options. The search results display key details like cook time, difficulty, and dietary compatibility.

In the recipe view, people can adjust servings, swap ingredients, and follow steps to complete the recipe. Highlighted ingredients can be clicked on to view measurements without switching screens - making cooking more intuitive and efficient.

Final designs and features

The final design of Open Book Recipes provides a personalized cooking experience allowing people to discover, filter, and customize recipes with ease. The home screen featured recommended recipes based on user preferences with filters for saved preferences and advanced options. The search results display key details like cook time, difficulty, and dietary compatibility.

In the recipe view, people can adjust servings, swap ingredients, and follow steps to complete the recipe. Highlighted ingredients can be clicked on to view measurements without switching screens - making cooking more intuitive and efficient.