Pantry Chef App
User-Centered App Concept | Digital
2023
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD
The Pantry Chef app was a concept designed in response to rising grocery costs and the daily challenges of time management. Grounded in in-depth research, user personas, and hands-on user testing, this project thoroughly explored real-world frustrations around food waste and budgeting. Through iterative prototyping, I developed a solution that empowers users to monitor their pantry, reduce unnecessary spending, and make smarter, more efficient grocery decisions.
Ideation by Hand
The paper prototyping phase was an essential step in visualizing the structure and core functionality of Pantry Chef before moving into digital development. I translated initial wireframe sketches into tangible, hand-drawn screens that mapped out key user flows – such as browsing recipes, tracking grocery prices, and managing pantry inventory. These prototypes allowed me to quickly test layout ideas and user navigation with low stakes, encouraging flexibility and iterative thinking. Through this hands-on process, I identified areas of confusion, such as unclear button placement and missing back-navigation, which directly informed improvements in the digital wireframes that followed.
On-screen Concepts
The digital wireframes marked a key step in shaping the functionality and user experience of Pantry Chef. Using insights gathered from paper prototypes, I refined the layout and flow of essential screens such as the pantry manager, recipe browser, and grocery price tracker. This phase focused on improving navigation, clarifying screen hierarchy, and laying the groundwork for visual design. It allowed me to test usability more realistically and prepare for the transition into high-fidelity mockups.
Polished Iterations
The digital drafts brought Pantry Chef to life with full visual styling, incorporating color, typography, and iconography into the previously structured wireframes. At this stage, I focused on refining the overall look and feel of the app while applying feedback from user testing to improve clarity and accessibility. Elements like the navigation bar, recipe browsing layout, and pricing tracker were adjusted for better legibility and ease of use. These drafts served as the first complete visual representation of the app, bridging functionality with aesthetic cohesion.
Type Trials
The typography for Pantry Chef was chosen to be clean, modern, and highly legible across all screens. I used Avenir for its simple, versatile structure, making it ideal for body text and general UI elements. To add contrast and visual interest, I paired it with Brother 1816 Light in select headings and secondary text. Together, these typefaces create a friendly yet professional tone that supports readability while complementing the app’s warm, approachable design.
Pigment Playground
The color palette for Pantry Chef was designed to feel warm, clean, and approachable. Earthy oranges evoke energy, creativity, and appetite – ideal for a cooking-focused app – while soft neutrals like gray and white help balance the interface and keep it easy on the eyes. This combination supports both functionality and mood, creating a friendly, user-centered experience that encourages exploration without overwhelming the user.
