Finding restaurants that cater to everyone’s dietary needs can be a challenge. SafePlate is a mobile app created by Drexel University’s User Experience and Interaction Design (UXID) students to revolutionize shared dining experiences, making it easier for individuals and groups with food allergies or other dietary restrictions to find suitable restaurants.
The Challenge: Dining Out with Restrictions
For individuals with food allergies or dietary restrictions, challenges arise from limited menu options, the risk of cross-contamination, and the absence of dietary labels on restaurant menus. This situation often forces individuals to conduct time-consuming research and make advance calls to restaurants, hindering their ability to enjoy spontaneous dining experiences.
Goals and Objectives
The SafePlate team aimed to:
- Enable users to create a comprehensive dining profile.
- Display tailored restaurant recommendations based on a dining party’s restrictions.
- Facilitate user connections through dining buddies.
- Provide clear menu labeling with branded icons.
The SafePlate Solution: Who/What/Where
SafePlate uses intuitive Who/What/Where search functionality, trustworthy dietary restriction details, and personalized restaurant suggestions for every group. The app fosters social connections through dining buddies and offers clear menu labeling with branded icons.
Research and Insights
The team gathered key statistics about allergies and diets and analyzed six competitors to identify unique aspects and shared features. Surveys and interviews with Gen Z and Millennials with experience dining out with dietary restrictions helped the team understand their unique experiences and pain points.
- 51% of all Americans are impacted by food allergies or sensitivities.
- 52% of Americans with exclusion diets struggle to find food when eating at restaurants.
- 50% of food allergy-related fatalities occur in eating establishments.
- 29% of restaurants do not have a plan for answering questions on food allergens.
Key Findings From Research:
- Users want external menu links, menu dietary labels, user reviews and ratings, and the ability to filter by restriction.
- It can be difficult to find new restaurants, especially in new areas or if they want to try something new.
- Individuals are disappointed about missing out if the rest of the dining party can order something from a restaurant.
The Design Process:
The team used “I Like/I Wish/What If” and card sorting to gather user insights and validation. They created a Lo-fi prototype, prioritizing intuitive navigation and information hierarchy.
The Challenges:
Data delivery and data accuracy using APIs proved challenging. The team opted to pull menu information from a database rather than online reviews to prioritize trustworthiness.
Visual Design:
The color scheme for SafePlate aims to create an atmosphere of positivity and warmth. Green and pink were selected to evoke feelings of freshness, vitality, and friendliness. The app uses the SF Pro font for its exceptional clarity and contemporary style.
Mascot and Tone of Voice:
A Plate emoji (“:P”) was chosen to represent the letter “P” in SafePlate, adding a playful touch. The app uses a warm and welcoming tone, aiming to create a sense of comfort and reliability for users.