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Designing Culinary Journeys with Users in Mind

Led user-centered app design to enhance search and discovery of culinary experiences, including research, wireframes, usability testing, and high-fidelity prototypes for intuitive navigation.”

Hi-fi Prototype
TasteVoyage mobile app home screen mockup showing clean layout and visual branding for culinary travel experiences.

Client

Fictional – TasteVoyage

Role

UX/UI Designer

Timeline

6 Weeks

Deliverables

Phase 1 deliverables included user research and journey mapping, wireframes and an interactive prototype, UX recommendations for search and discovery, and usability testing insights.

OverviewProcessResults

Brief

TasteVoyage is a mobile app concept designed to help travelers discover and book authentic culinary experiences, ranging from private chef dinners to local food tours. The goal of Phase 1 was to improving the Search and Discovery experience, making it more intuitive, accessible, and engaging. The goal was to deliver personalized recommendations and streamline key user flows so travelers could quickly find meaningful local food experiences that match their interests.

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Challenge

  • Travelers struggle to find authentic local food experiences and often rely on generic or tourist-focused options.
  • Users need a simple, fast, and visually appealing interface to explore culinary experiences while planning trips.
  • The app must balance functional search and booking features with an inviting, trust-building visual identity.

    • Research + Strategy

    Before diving into design, I set out to understand how travelers explore and book food experiences. By mapping user journeys and analyzing competitors like EatWith and Airbnb Experiences, I uncovered consistent frustrations –limited personalization and overwhelming search options. These insights revealed a clear opportunity for TasteVoyage to stand out with a more curated, user-centered search experience that adapts to each traveler’s tastes and interests.

    Charts and graphs summarizing user survey data, showing top motivations, desired food experiences, and biggest frustrations.
    Summary matrix comparing competitors (Private Chef Services, AirBnB, Local Food Tours, EatWith), highlighting key strengths, gaps, and opportunities.
    Grid showing four user personas for TaseVoyage: Bella, Brooklyn, Ethan, and Leo, detailing their goals and challenges.
    Brooklyn's user journey map for TaseVoyage, organized into five phases with corresponding tasks, feelings, and improvement opportunities.
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    UX Structure

    I started by translating research insights into a clear user flow and information architectire for the search and discovery experience. Wireframes outlines key screens and navigation paths, ensuring travelers could easily browse, filter, and book, culinary experiences. Low-fidelity prototypes allowed early usability testing to validate the layout and flow, while high-fidelity prototypes refined interactions and visual hierarchy to support a cohesive, intuitive journey. Feedback from testing informed adjustments to navigation, content placement, and task flow, ensuring the structure met user needs effectively.

    Hand-drawn sketches illustrating four different homepage layout ideas (A, B, C, D) for the TaseVoyage platform, with features marked by stars to highlight key user needs, and a corresponding mobile sketch.
    Animated GIF showing the interactive flow of the lo-fidelity mobile wireframe for TaseVoyage, demonstrating a user tapping the prominent search bar from the main Explore screen.
    Side-by-side comparison of the TaseVoyage mobile wireframe showing design changes made after user testing: the addition of a Sort option and a floating Map button.
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    View Lo-Fidelity Prototype

    Brand & Visual Exploration

    For TasteVoyage, I explored moodboard, color palettes, typography, and visual concepts to define a cohesive and inviting brand language. For a detailed breakdown of the full visual exploration, including logo options, imagery style, and concept directions, see the full case study here.

    Four mobile screens showing the high-fidelity UI of the TaseVoyage app, including the Explore page, the search function, the details page, and the map view.
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    Final Design

    TasteVoyage’s final design delivers a cohesive, user-friendly search and discovery experience. High-fidelity screens showcase intuitive navigation, clear information hierarchy, and a visual language that balances warmth and clarity, guiding users seamlessly through onboarding, exploration, and experience details.

    Hi-fi Prototype
    The final outcome was a cohesive and scalable design system that visually aligns with TasteVoyage’s brand mission. Consistent iconography and strategic color choices enhanced user recognition and built stronger visual trust. The established system also pro
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    These design improvements set the platform apart from competitors and enhanced overall user engagement, making it easier for travelers to find meaningful, local food experiences aligned with their interests.

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    Collaboration + Feedback

    I used Google Forms to conduct user surveys, gathering insights on how travelers discover and book culinary experiences. I also recruited participants for a moderated usability test, which provided qualitative feedback to validate design decisions and inform iterations.

    Page one of the TaseVoyage Usability Study plan, detailing the project background, research goals, research questions, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
    Page two of the TaseVoyage Usability Study plan, outlining the methodology (moderated test), participant demographics, and the five-step script used during the study.
    Side-by-side comparison of the TaseVoyage mobile wireframe showing design changes made after user testing: the addition of a Sort option and a floating Map button.
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    Lessons Learned

    One key takeaway from this project was the importance of building and refining the user journey with a user-first mindset. Initially, I focused on the overall experience, including search, discovery, and booking processes. However, I chose to narrow my focus to the usability study specifically on the search and discovery phase. This approach allowed me to gather more targeted feedback, make clearer design decisions, and confidently refine the experience through the subsequent stages of the project.

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    Skills Highlighted

    • Persona development, journey mapping, experience analysis, and competitor/market research.
    • Wireframing, low- and high-fidelity prototyping, interaction design, and usability optimization.
    • Refining designs based on user feedback and translating insights into actionable solutions.
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