Empathize
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test
My goal was to build a mobile and a website for Harvest Pantry that would connect users with Food Banks in their communities. Many Urban Communities have food deserts and rely on food banks to get access to fresh healthy options. I wanted to create features that gave options for busy families to reserve pick-up and food delivery for seniors and people who have communication and mobility limitations.
Steven is a retired concert pianist. He still enjoys teaching piano lessons and listening to music. He takes care of his wife Carmen who loves to cook but has some mobility issues. Steven is an active senior but has difficulty carrying heavy bags of groceries without fear of getting injured. His bones don’t heal like they used to. He wants to know which food banks offer the option of food delivery.
Goals
Have food delivered from food Pantries to the front door. Have access to fresh vegatables Have access to yummy snacks and pet food.
Frustrations
Being a senior up in age it gets different to carry heavy bags up stairs. Wish there was a way to know which food pantries deliver groceries to seniors.
Steve Kwon
Age: 76
Occupation:
Family:
Married for 40 years to his wife Carmen and Cat Meow Meow
Retired but teaches piano lessons to earn extra income
Hometown:
Alhambra, CA
Education:
Masters in Music Performance
“ I live on a fixed income and my wife loves to cook my favorite meals for me.”
Goals
Have access to fresh foods Have food that’s good and nutritious in the house for my family. Know where the food pantries are around my neighborhood.
Frustrations
Living in a food desert, there are not many healthy options. As much as I and my kids love snacks like Cheetos. a bag of chips is not a balanced healthy meal.
Constance is a very busy mom of 4 daughters. She works a full-time job and attends online classes to become a nurse to provide a better life for her family. Working at a senior assisted living facility as a home caregiving assistant provides enough to cover rent, bills, and car notes. She relies on SNAP and Food Pantries to provide healthy nutritious food options for her family. Living in a food Desert and having a busy schedule it’s challenging to find the days, times, and locations of food banks around the city.
Usability Study: Parameters
Study type:
Unmoderated usability study
Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Participants:
6 Participants
Length:
30-45 minutes
Usability Study: Findings
Feed back was incrediable
Finding
1
The food delivery option was great. Information needs to be provided if the app users is blind, deaf or mobile restricted and will need assistance.
Finding
2
Senior app users preferred a speak to text option, typing on the phone is difficult for seniors in an app
Finding
3
Making reservation for pick is a great feature for busy families vs waiting in line.
Accessibility Considerations
1
Speak to Text for Users with typing difficulties
2
A variety of language options and translation features
3
Provide l information for the delivery driver to make them aware if the user is blind, deaf, or what kind of needs for assistance with groceries
Redefining The Design
Mock-ups High-fidelity Prototype Accessibility
For the Harvest Pantry Delivery Feature, More information needed to be included to the User,
A photo of the Volunteer, their pronouns, and the languages that they speak, along with a photo, number, and vehicle information
After
Before
App Mock-up
Website Map
The major changes from the Low Fidelity mockup after the usability study was to include a speaking feature for people who may have a sight impairment . I also include a language button so the website can be translate for non English speakers. A scroll handle was added to view all the various Food Banks by location.
Before usability study
After usability study
High Fidelity Harvest Pantry Website
Take Aways
Finding
1
The food delivery option was great. Information needs to be provided if the app users is blind, deaf or mobile restricted and will need assistance.
Finding
2
Senior app users preferred a speak to text option, typing on the phone is difficult for seniors in an app
Finding
3
Making reservation for pick is a great feature for busy families vs waiting in line.
“ I want to be able to provide fresh healthy home-cooked meals for my family.”
Hometown:
Boyle Heights, CA
Education:
Currently enrolled in an online nursing program
Constance Gracia
Age: 35
Family:
Single Mom, with four daughters 6,8,12,& 16. Her Mother age 58 lives with her & helps with the kids.
Occupation:
Homecare Assistant
User Research: Summary
My focus was on people who depend on food banks. There have been times in my life living in LA when I depended on the resources of a Food Bank for food. They don’t call it a starving artist for nothing. I have a strong empathy for people who depend on these services.