Overview
GatherBites is a concept mobile app designed to transform the way people connect through dining, offering a platform where users can discover and book unique culinary experiences hosted by local home cooks. The app bridges the gap between food enthusiasts and passionate cooks, creating opportunities for communal dining and cultural exchange.
The goal of the project was to design an app that seamlessly facilitates budget-friendly bookings for these experiences, making global cuisines accessible to everyone. It highlights the joy of communal dining and the richness of connecting over real home-cooked meals, with an emphasis on affordability, diversity, and authenticity.
Timeline
7 weeks
Services
UX/UI Design, Product Design
Tools
Figma, Google Forms
Type
Communal Dining App
In recent years, digital dining services have revolutionized food consumption, offering unparalleled convenience with just a few clicks. However, as these platforms have become increasingly prevalent, several pain points and challenges have emerged, affecting both consumers and food providers alike. By delving into these expanded challenges, it’s evident we need a fresh mediator that not only satisfies hunger but also nourishes the soul.
I conducted a survey with 20 participants to gather quantitative data on dining habits, communal dining experiences, dietary restrictions, and desired features in food-sharing platforms. Follow-up video call interviews with a subset of participants enriched the findings with qualitative insights.
Insights from the user research highlighted critical gaps in the market that were further validated through a competitive analysis of platforms like Airbnb Experiences, Eatwith, Traveling Spoon and popular food delivery services.
Blending the warmth of communal meals with the spice of online food delivery convenience, GatherBites bridges the gap between convenience and connection, allowing users to discover and enjoy authentic culinary experiences while hosts share their talents and earn income. By fostering community and promoting sustainability, GatherBites elevates every meal beyond just eating.
At this moment of the research, I brainstormed numerous potential features that could enhance the user experience. To find the validity of each feature and how they should be prioritized, I conducted a Kano model survey with 10 participants, evenly split between potential guests and hosts.
After defining the product requirements, I created a user flow outlining key steps within the platform. This ensured that every aspect of the navigation was optimized for a cohesive and user-friendly experience, and it served as a constant reference throughout the design and implementation phases.
To ensure consistency and scalability, I developed a design system encompassing typography, color palettes, iconography, and UI components. This system streamlined the design process, maintained visual harmony, and allowed for efficient collaboration and updates across the platform.
From sketching the initial wireframes to crafting the final product, the design process prioritized translating the insights gathered trought the research phase into actionable solutions.
Onboarding
Users are greeted with a brief introduction to the app’s purpose, followed by two key questions to personalize their experience. Engaging visuals and clear prompts make users feel motivated and excited to complete the sign-up process.
Sign-up
The sign-up process begins with entering basic personal details, followed by phone registration and ID verification. This directly addresses users' concerns about safety and trustworthiness in communal dining.
To personalize the experience, GatherBites requests location access, enabling tailored recommendations and displaying nearby dining options.
After verification, users can either dive straight into exploring or complete their profile setup for an even more customized experience.
The homepage serves as an inspiration hub, with sections like 'Near You,' 'Cuisine,' and 'Featured Hosts,' offering intuitive pathways to explore options. Personalized recommendations based on user's tastes and habits boost engagement. A consistent bottom navigation ensures seamless access to other app features, maintaining a smooth and intuitive experience.
Search
A prominent search bar ensures quick input, while the "Recents" section makes revisiting previous searches effortless. Results are displayed as consistent list view cards, offering key details like ratings, hosts, availability, and price for easy comparison.
Filtering
Organized into intuitive categories, the fiflter system ensures different users dietary needs and preferences are met. Progressive disclosure for dense filter options and real-time result feedback, prevent overwhelm while maintaining control. Features like 'Clear All Filters,' and the dynamic match indicator enhance control and engagement.
The booking process is streamlined for ease and clarity. The Meal Details Screen highlights key info such as meal price, host details, and availability, streamlining the booking process. The Host Profile Screen builds trust and a sense of community with background info, ratings, and active listings. Clear calls to action ('Book Experience,' 'Message Me') guide user interaction.
As a Guest
The Bookings screen provides guests with an organized view of their reservations. The calendar view helps users easily navigate their schedule, displaying a vertical list of bookings for the selected day and upcoming reservations.
For upcoming bookings, guests can access the Booking Details screen to review important information, make modifications, or communicate with the host. For past bookings, guests are encouraged to rate and review their experiences, as well as leave tips for hosts, fostering community engagement and trust.
Clear visual cues, like background colors distinguishing host (dark green) and guest (light green) roles, enhance usability.
Become a Host
To start using the GatherBites app as a host, users first need to register as a host. This straightforward, multi-step process provides clear guidance and breaks the task into smaller, more manageable chunks, helping users set up their profile with ease.
Creating a Listing
As a host, you can create a listing by entering essential details such as event name, photos, guest capacity, menu, and pricing. An automated revenue calculation shows potential earnings based on guest count and pricing. Scheduling is simplified with options for specific dates or recurring events, automating the creation of multiple sessions. A preview function ensures the listing looks accurate before publishing.
Bookings Management
This screen serves as a centralized hub for hosts to manage all their events. With a streamlined layout, it enables quick scanning, prioritizes tasks, and simplifies the management of guest requests, enhancing overall workflow efficiency.
Booking details
The 'Booking Overview' screen provides a summary of the event, all guest requests, dietary preferences, and messages they have sent. This allows hosts to quickly assess and manage incoming requests efficiently.
Individual Guest Request
Tapping a guest's request opens a screen displaying their request to join, along with booking details and messages. Hosts can easily "Accept" or "Deny" the request, giving them clear control over their events.
The 'Messages' feature serves as a direct communication channel between hosts and guests, ensuring coordination for bookings. Search and filtering options further enhance usability.
The 'Account' section allows users to switch between guest and host roles, managing their profiles seamlessly. Role-specific views ensure only relevant information is displayed, with a simplified profile for quick access to settings and a detailed view showcasing bio, languages, and dietary preferences.
Working on the GatherBites app through its full project lifecycle strengthened my UX skills. Designing for two distinct audiences challenged me to think critically and create adaptable solutions, balancing usability with aesthetics. The process refined the app to meet user expectations and provided valuable insights for future projects.
Future Improvements
Pilot Testing with Target Audiences: Conduct a limited-time pilot test with specific user groups (e.g., cooking schools or university students) to validate assumptions and gather focused feedback, helping fine-tune the user experience before a broader launch.
Expand user testing: Conduct extensive user testing, particularly on app navigation and booking management, to refine the overall experience. Continuous feedback would provide valuable insights that can guide more informed design iterations.
Optimize Accessibility: Improve the app’s accessibility by adhering to WCAG standards. Ensuring that all users, including those with disabilities, can seamlessly interact with the platform will make GatherBites more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience.
