root
An AI powered nutrition tracking and meal planning app for plant based dieters.
Overview
Root provides an integrated solution for vegetarians and vegans to effortlessly plan, track, and optimize their nutrient intake through personalized meal planning and comprehensive nutritional analysis.
My Role
User research, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, built a design system, brand development
Duration
8 weeks
Background
Navigating nutritional challenges in plant-based diets
As the world leans into healthier and more ethical dietary choices, a considerable number of people are opting for vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. A YouGov poll revealed that 2.7 million people in the UK were eager to try Veganuary in 2022. However, going plant-based isn't just a simple act of removing meat from your plate—it's a complex initiative requiring a thorough understanding of nutritional needs.
Studies and Numbers
The growing urgency
for reliable guidance
Studies confirm that while plant-based diets offer numerous health benefits, they also pose risks of critical deficiencies in vital nutrients such as Vitamin B12, calcium, and iodine if not well-planned. In the UK, 14% of adults have already gone meat-free, and another 16% are considering it.
Among Gen Z, a staggering 43% plan to adopt plant-based diets amplifying the need for accessible, reliable nutritional advice.
The challenge then becomes: How can we help people, especially newcomers, maintain a balanced intake of essential macro- and micro-nutrients in a plant-based diet so that they can live a happier and healthier life?
Deeper Insights
Striking a balance: The real-world
struggles of plant-based dieters
Through a series of one-on-one interviews with five participants, I sought to unravel the unique challenges and needs facing individuals who have recently transitioned to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. The participants fit specific criteria: they were either new vegetarians or vegans struggling with the diet, or more seasoned individuals still facing issues. This enabled me to dig deep and explore the practical, day-to-day hurdles they experience.
#Insight 1
Knowledge Gaps in Nutrition
Many find it tough to keep their plant based diet balanced, often because they don't have in-depth knowledge specific to plant-based foods and diets.
#Insight 2
Time and Variety
People are busy. Between work and personal life, finding the time to plan meals and cook is a hurdle. Even those who do make the time often find themselves in a recipe rut, cooking the same meals over and over.
#Insight 3
Nutrient Deficiencies and Supplement Struggles
Transitioning to a plant-based diet has led some users to experience deficiencies in essential nutrients. For many, the correct use of supplements remains a grey area.
#Insight 4
Fitness Goals vs Food Choices
For the fitness-conscious, the lack of high-protein, low-fat vegetarian options and cumbersome nutrition tracking tools is a significant barrier.
#Insight 5
Ethical, Environmental, and Health Motivations
Despite challenges, the core motivations for going plant-based remain strong, indicating a high potential for user-focused solutions to thrive.
Reframing the Problem
Busy individuals lack the time and knowledge to maintain a diverse and nutritionally balanced plant-based diet, leading to nutrient deficiencies and repetitive meals.
After extensive interviews and affinity mapping, I narrowed my focus to the most pressing challenge for vegetarians and vegans: balancing a diverse, nutritionally complete diet amidst a hectic lifestyle. This refined problem space sets the stage for design solutions that can genuinely make a difference.
"How might we help vegetarians/vegans with busy lifestyles easily maintain a diverse and nutritionally balanced diet?"
Introducing Linda:
The face behind the facts
Linda is a persona formed through careful analysis of user interviews.
She embodies the key struggles, motivations, and behaviours that are representative of my primary users.
Linda, a busy 28-year-old in a bustling city, has been a vegetarian for over two years for ethical reasons. Despite her commitment, she's struggling with low energy and nutritional deficiencies.
She aspires to go fully plant-based but finds it challenging to keep her diet balanced and varied due to her demanding schedule and her limited knowledge about plant based nutrition.
Mapping the emotional journey:
Linda's quest for nutrient-rich meals
To gain insight into the obstacles users face when searching for nutrient-rich vegetarian meals, and identify oppurtunities for design intervention, I created an experience map. The journey follows Linda specifically focused on finding vegetarian meals rich in essential nutrients like Iron.
It starts with initial optimism while searching for recipes, moves into uncertainty regarding nutritional content, and ends in frustration and resignation as Linda settles for a less-than-ideal meal. This highlights a significant need for a solution that effortlessly balances taste and nutritional value.
Unlocking a balanced plant-based life:
Areas for design intervention
After mapping out Linda's journey and feeling the weight of her challenges, I identified three key touchpoints where a well-designed solution could genuinely make her life easier and healthier.
#Opportunity 1
Track nutritional intake to meet dietary goals
A clear, user-friendly dashboard could offer immediate insights into Linda's nutritional intake, helping her make informed meal choices. AI and image recognition technology can be utilized for easy food scanning and tracking.
#Opportunity 2
Streamline Meal Planning for Diverse Choices
To break Linda out of her recipe rut and save her time, a feature could suggest new, nutritionally-balanced recipes that are tailored to her specific needs.
#Opportunity 3
Easy Access to Dietary Info for Recipes
A streamlined feature could provide concise dietary info for each recipe, simplifying Linda's understanding of her meals.
Optimizing user experience: Streamlined task flows for efficient and personalized diet management
After ideation and analyzing user stories, I pinpointed key features for the app's initial rollout. The primary task flow centers on food log-ins via AI image recognition for efficient meal and nutrition tracking. I also outlined a task flow for user sign-up and profile creation to ensure personalized experiences, and another to amend meal plans, enabling users to adjust meals while maintaining nutrition. Each flow addresses a distinct user need, streamlining diet management.
Sketching out solutions for meal planning and nutrition tracking teatures
Guided by user needs, I embarked on visualizing the app's interface starting with the screens I have in my task flows. I sketched a few different options that offer users immediate insight into their nutritional intake and grant swift access to their daily meal plan on the home screen. This setup allows users to seamlessly log meals and view real-time nutritional changes. Additionally, I introduced a dedicated screen where users can modify meal plans and review their weekly schedules. The chosen design aligns seamlessly with user requirements and forms the foundation for my wireframes.
Exploratory sketches
Solution sketches
From sketches to digital wireframes
As I moved my ideas from sketches to digital wireframes, I created a clickable prototype to put my design ideas to the test. This iterative process allowed me to quickly pinpoint areas for improvement, ensuring that the app effectively addresses the real challenges of maintaining a balanced, plant-based diet. This is the final version of my mid-fidelity wireframes after 2 rounds of usability testing.
Revelations from Usability Testings
Unifying meal planning and nutrition tracking for a seamless user experience
In designing Root, my goal was to create an intuitive platform for vegetarians and vegans to maintain a balanced diet. The initial design was derived from extensive research and empathy for my user group. However, after two rounds of usability testing , involving a total of eight potential users, I identified key areas of improvement:
1. Meal Plan and Nutrition Tracking: Users found the meal plan and nutrition tracking disjointed. I combined them into one intuitive dashboard, enhanced meal logging, and added clickable indicators for ease.
2. Onboarding: The process was lengthy, so I consolidated related questions to create a smoother start for new users.
3. Add meal to diary - Food Scan: The original design felt cluttered. I responded by streamlining options, unifying scanning features, and adding a pre-scan explanatory screen. I also included an option for users to select pre-taken photos.​​
​Through iterative feedback, I've refined Root to cater precisely to the dietary needs of our vegetarian and vegan community.
Design iterations of Root app screens
When developing the brand identity for "Root", I envisioned a gentle yet empowering guide for vegans and vegetarians in their pursuit of nourishment and inspiration. "Root" is more than just a nod to nature's bounties— it's a symbol of being deeply anchored in nutrition, inspiring individuals to ground themselves in plant-based nutrition.
Brand Development
Rooted in nature: A refreshing branding journey for plant-based nourishment
When developing the brand identity for "Root", I envisioned a gentle yet empowering guide for vegetarians in their pursuit of nourishment and inspiration. "Root" is more than just a nod to nature's bounties—it's a symbol of being deeply anchored in nutrition, inspiring individuals to ground themselves in plant-based nutrition.
My brand development journey began by identifying the essence of the brand; Gentle
Inspiring, Empowering and Nourishing.
Visual Identity- Moodboard
To visualize this, I curated a mood board reflecting a tranquil and nature-inspired aesthetic. This laid the foundation for the logo: an elegant fusion of nature and clarity. The logo, a leafy twist on the letter 'R', sits within a rounded emblem, echoing my commitment to a holistic, plant-driven ethos.
After settling on a design that mirrors the calm and refreshing essence of a plant-based diet, I developed a design system to ensure its consistency throughout the Root app. This modular system is based on reusable components and their specific states, such as buttons, list items, and controls.
Each component is built to be both rearrangeable and combinable with others, guaranteeing design harmony and recognizable UI patterns for users. This approach not only streamlines the design-to-development handover but also ensures that every interface within the app maintains its initial design intent and offers a cohesive user experience."
Design System
Click anywhere on the below screen to interact with the latest prototype
Hi-fidelity Prototype
The final solution
Root: All-in-one platform for plant-based nutrition.
Root: All-in-one platform for plant-based nutrition. Beyond counting calories, Root also tracks your vitamin and mineral intake for a truly balanced diet. Powered by AI, it provides personalized meal plans and easy food logging to help you achieve and maintain a nourishing, plant-based lifestyle.
Onboarding for
a personalized experience
Root's initial setup gathers your goals and preferences to create a custom nutrition plan, making your plant-based diet both effective and enjoyable.
Quick and easy
nutrition tracking
With Root's AI-powered image recognition, you can effortlessly log your meals by simply taking a photo. Instantly see updates on your nutrient intake, making your plant-based nutrition journey easier than ever.
Flexible (and delicious)
meal plans
Easily swap, edit, or delete recipes in your customized meal plan to better suit your taste and nutritional needs. Explore recipes from the extensive recipe library of Root.
Marketing Root: A cohesive web presence designed for user engagement and connection.
I designed a responsive marketing website for Root to promote the app and allow users to download it. The website aligns seamlessly with the app's core branding. It focuses on spotlighting the app's key features, adopting a minimalist design to let the product truly stand out.
Key Takeaways
#Takeaway 1
Standing out in a crowded field
Navigating a saturated market of dietary apps was challenging. However, by focusing on the unique needs of a specific user group and honing in on micronutrient tracking with an easy food logging feature by utilizing AI technology, I carved out a distinct space for my app.
#Takeaway 2
Simplifying nutrition: clear, clutter-free insights for all
Streamlining and visualizing complex nutritional data was crucial. I designed the app to present information in an accessible, user-friendly manner without overwhelming or creating clutter, ensuring users of all levels could grasp their dietary intake easily.
#Takeaway 3
Embracing Ambiguity
The design process is often fluid and uncertain. During this project, I learned the importance of remaining adaptable and embracing the unknown. Iterative brainstorming and continuous feedback loops were crucial in turning uncertainty into clarity.
Next Steps
Within my project's timeframe, I couldn't delve into the "progress" feature. My next step is to create this tool, giving users insights into their nutritional trends over time. The app will then spot consistent nutritional gaps and suggest foods to fill them, ensuring a more balanced diet.
Success Metrics for Root App
For Root, while it remains a conceptual project, imagining potential success metrics provides a deeper understanding of its envisioned value and intended outcomes. These hypothetical benchmarks give a glimpse into how the app's performance might be assessed in a live setting:
User Retention Rate: A 30-day retention rate of 40% can be set as an initial benchmark, believing that Root's unique approach to nutrition and personalization could drive user stickiness.
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Daily Active Users (DAU) & Monthly Active Users (MAU): An anticipated DAU/MAU ratio of 25% would suggest Root's integral role in users' daily dietary habits.
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Nutrition Logging Frequency: Users logging their meals 4 times a week would reflect the app's seamless integration into their dietary routines.
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App Store Ratings & Reviews: An average app store rating of 4.6+ stars would indicate user trust and a high level of satisfaction with Root's offerings.
User Growth Rate: A monthly growth rate of 8% would showcase Root's increasing appeal and resonance with its target audience.
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Monthly Churn Rate: A churn rate below 4% would highlight Root's sustained value proposition and user satisfaction.