elf
A Refrigerator Inventory Application / User Experience Design
MY ROLE
UX Research
Information Visualisation
Wire-framing
User Interviews
Synthesis
TOOLS USED
Adobe XD
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
TEAM
4 Visual Designers
Bhavi Jariwala
Sagar Bhatt
Vallabhi Raichura
TIMELINE
3 Weeks
BACKGROUND
About elf
elf, (Refrigerator inventory application) aims to assist users with keeping track of the items in their refrigerator, nutrition intake, budget and user’s cooking needs, the hypothetical system which we have conceptualised connects technology with user behaviour and hence can be easily adopted by people in their day-to-day life making the user’s life more convenient.
Target Audience:
Primary — Working professionals, People living in shared spaces
Secondary — Homemakers
RESEARCH
Key Market & User Study
We brainstormed various categories and identified the organizational area as having the most potential, prompting us to proceed with our research. We conducted both quantitative and qualitative research, developing a questionnaire that encompassed questions concerning the everyday challenges individuals face in their households.
After careful consideration, we focused our attention on one specific problem: The fridge organising system.
We conducted market research and engaged in interviews and surveys with our target group. Through these efforts, we identified several prominent issues that we aimed to resolve through our system.
PROBLEM DISCOVERY
Actionable Insights
PROBLEM AREAS
> Forgetting items that are stored in the fridge, leading to spoilage over time.
> Difficulty in keeping track of the items stored in the fridge.
> Visibility issues within the fridge.
OPPORTUNITY AREAS
> Tracking one's nutritional intake.
> Providing customized recipes.
> Managing and tracking one's budget.
PROBLEM DISCOVERY
Key Question
“How might we leverage technology to make tracking food inventory and expiration dates more intuitive and less tedious?”
SOLUTION DISCOVERY
The System
The elf application can function as a standalone application or can be integrated with a futuristic smart sensor. The application enables automatic data input of items through sensors, bill scanning, and manual input via the app.
Regardless of whether the user chooses to shop from local markets or online pantries, the app has the capability to track all items present in the fridge. Additionally, individuals residing in shared spaces can utilize colour-coded labels to identify their respective items. The system incorporates sensor technology to calculate shelf life and also reads the manufacturing and expiry dates of packaged goods, including both cooked and raw food items.
SOLUTION DISCOVERY
Information Architecture
HOW MIGHT WE?
Leverage technology to make tracking food inventory and expiration dates more intuitive and less tedious.
Solution: Each resident installs the application on their phone to track their respective items in the fridge. The shopping list is customizable, allowing users to add items they need to buy. When shopping, items are automatically added to the inventory list by scanning the supermarket bill or using smart sensors for local market purchases.
Notifications alert users when items are approaching their expiration dates, determined by shelf life calculations or sensors. Colour-coding options help identify and differentiate items, reflected in the budget section for bill splitting.
The application tracks nutritional intake over a specific time period and offers customized recipes based on available fridge ingredients.
The Product
APP FLOW
DESIGN SYSTEM
Logo Design
Why name the elf?
The name ‘elf’, comes from the shoemaker’s tale, where elves helped the shoemaker by getting his chores done. Similarly, the application helps the user to make their lives a little easier.
Colour Palette & Typography
DESIGN SYSTEM
Next Steps
> Prototype Development: Develop a functional prototype of the Elf refrigerator inventory application, including the user interface, sensor integration, and key features such as item tracking, colour coding, and shelf-life calculations.
> Integration with Smart Sensors: Integrate the elf application with futuristic smart sensor technology, ensuring seamless data exchange.
> Testing and Refinement: Conduct extensive testing, gather user feedback, and make necessary refinements to improve usability and functionality.
> Compatibility and Scalability: Ensure compatibility across devices and platforms, while considering scalability for future growth and enhancements.
Learnings
> Technology Integration: A deep understanding of sensor technology, data capture, and processing methods was gained which was pivotal in achieving the desired functionality of the app.
> Market Research: Conducting comprehensive market research provided valuable insights into existing solutions, competition, and emerging trends in the refrigerator organization space.
> User-Centric Design: Thorough research, including surveys and interviews, uncovered specific pain points and user requirements. Incorporating these insights ensured it addressed genuine user needs effectively.
> Collaboration and Teamwork: Clear communication, coordinated efforts, and well-defined task division were crucial for maintaining smooth progress. Harnessing each team member's expertise, we maximized our project's potential and achieved successful outcomes.