Objective
Propose a new on-the-go product experience that offers value to this category
Considerations
-rising food prices that are discouraging waste and creating motivation to store and carry food
-the rise of eco conscious consumers who want to save money (a typical family wastes about $450 on throw-a-ways and creates thousands of pieces of garbage at lunchtime unnecessarily every year)
-the rise of the health-conscious consumer
9/4–9/7
Phase 1: User Research and Analysis (team activity)
Image Boards representing a range of on-the-go meal solutions (could include snack options); overall landscape, historical, cultural
below are images that I have contributed in the class Figma collection of images
Task Analysis
I began this process by first reading about what task analysis is and how to approach it in relation with this project.
I was paired up with Youie to perform a task analysis for each other’s on-the-go meal experience. We communicated through Zoom and asked additional questions through text when it was needed.
Steps taken for Youie to prepare her on-the-go meal
1. open lid of e-z lock tupperware
2. cook prepared pancake
3. grab spatula
4. scoop and put in pancake into tupperware
5. take out washed blueberries
6. pour blueberries on top of pancake
7. close lid of tupperware
8. take out yogurt and apple
9. take out utensils (spoon and fork)
10. put yogurt, apple, utensils into a separate ziploc bag
11. tightly conceal ziploc bag
Observations/ Summary of Task Analysis
-pre-cooked pancake, pre-washed blueberries stored in separate container
-prefers to pack food items that don’t require much preparation (such as yogurt & apple)
-stacks blueberries on top of pancake for her personal preferences on eating pancakes → does not mind food mixing together if the food items are meant to be eaten together
-end result is two different forms of containers for her whole meal (one for loose foods, one for wrapped/ concealed foods)
-ziploc bag can be reused since clean or thrown away at time of consumption for convenience
-tupperware must be cleaned after being brought back home to reuse
-kind of seemed to struggle fitting in the yogurt and apple into one ziploc bag (the yogurt was turned sideways instead of standing upright)
-yogurt cannot physically stand upright because ziploc bag has no base while yogurt has square/rectangular base (design opportunity?)
-water from washed blueberries could make pancake soggy if not eaten right away (could there be a compartment in tupperware where you can “pour” blueberries into the pancake side? one whole tupperware with dividers)
-preference of mixing food together (if meant to be eaten that way)
Possible Identification of Users
-toddlers/ kindergarteners who need to focus on the balance of nutrition, portion sizes, and organization of food (messy eaters, picky eaters)
-college students who are squeezing time to eat between classes (something compact but stores a lot, safe and not spilling)
-for those who do not like to mix their ingredients prior to mixing and eating
-anyone who needs to practice social distancing (in times of Covid-19) while eating in groups
Toddlers/ kindergarteners who need to focus on the balance of nutrition, portion sizes, and organization of food (messy eaters, picky eaters)
- simple interactions to unlock/ lock, open/ close
- store all snacks, utensils, drinks into one compartment
- engagement with food and compartments
- compartment needs to promote nutrition and health, be able to provide balance of foods
Task Analysis 2 → I wanted to go deeper for the direction of designing for toddlers whose focus would be simple interactions/layout of food that will encourage them to eat healthier and nutritious snacks as well as the junk food
Interview with parent and toddler child was conducted to learn about the different priorities they have regarding packed lunches
Takeaways from speaking with the Mother:
- tends to pack a variety of snacks for child to choose from and for balance of nutrients
- wants child to eat all the snacks, but often finds that the child leaves behind the veggies or nut (healthy) snacks
- has pride in the snacks that she packs because she doesn’t want her child to be jealous of other children's’ snacks or lunchboxes
Takeaways from speaking with the toddler:
- likes to eat yummy snacks and jellies more than veggie snacks
- lock&lock container is too hard to open, so often asks the teachers to open it for her every time
- snacks are all stored in separate containers in varying sizes, some in ziploc bags
- hard to carry all these different compartments to bring out to recess or on the desk
After sharing this second interview/task analysis with the class, I realized that I was misunderstanding the project — instead of finding a design opportunity within the task analysis, I was trying to change the behavior of the user in their interaction with the way they pack their food. From here, I went on with developing a persona to conduct a more specific user research within this one person for my audience.
9/10–9/15
User Research & Persona
Name: Katherine
Age: 20
Occupation: Full time student at Emory and part time worker at Alchemist Trading Co. (coffee shop)
Transportation: Commute
Part Time Experience:
-once a week, every Thursday
-5 hour midday shift (noon — 5:30pm)
-does not have set time for lunch break
-work does not provide leisure to enjoy her time eating
-usually works with one other person; one person takes orders while the other makes drinksEating Experience:
-usually eats in the kitchen area (closed are), where customers cannot see her
-quick grab and go
-eats in the middle of her shift but no set eating time
-usually eats as her shift passes, whenever it is convenient for her to step away to eat
-when she eats, her coworker deals with customers and vice versa (when it gets busy, she cannot leave her coworker by herself)
-continuous alternating of eating and working
-never gets to finish her meal in one spot
-enjoys eating alone because it is her own time to break away from socializing with customers and provides time to focus on herself; breatherPacking Experience:
-packs lunch before work always from home
-usually packs juice box or organic soy milk box, container of fruit/ banana
-easily disposable (paper box drinks) or plastic water bottle
-food items are small enough to fit in work bag
-food items are quick and easy to bring and prepare; not much time preparing her food
-puts all of her food items separately into one Canvas tote bag with her other belongings (keys, make up, wallet, phone, etc.)
-usually uses glass container that has no-leak lock featuresPriorities:
-health and nutrition
-although working at a cafe allows capability and access to make varieties of drinks for herself, she brings organic soy milk, healthy protein shakes because it is more filling than coffee
-more sustainable, does not want too much caffeine in her body
-does not prefer junk food
-easily disposable
-just wants something light, quick, and easy
-likes to make sure it fits in her tote bag
-maintaining original food quality and structure
-does not want banana to be mushed as the banana is in her bag with other belongings
-wants fruit to be in place in the container and in her bag
-does not like leaksEating Style:
-usually makes her own food at home because of remote learning
-tries to eat well and healthy with good amount of veggies, carbs, protein
-when she works, she would rather sleep in than prepare food; hence which is why she brings quick and prepared snacks
-does not want to eat much when she knows she won’t be able to enjoy it fully
-not super hungry when working, hunger usually comes after her work shift ends and she gets to go homeWorries:
-when putting a banana in her tote bag or blueberries in a ziplock bag, worried about fruit being smushed and leaking & staining the bag
-glass container is dangerous but the only reason why she keeps using it is
Phase 2: Conceptualization and Development
Model 1 Interaction — Flipping
I started off by exploring interactions of flipping open a lid to open the food items (banana, fruit, milk box). I distinguished the spaces for each individual food item because one of Katherine’s priorities was to keep each snack separate. I used the flipping interaction because it would be easier to open the banana and milk box. The banana and milk box sections flip from the outside, but the fruit section would be flipping from the inside of the container to the outside. This was an inconsistency that I found, so I wanted to explore an interaction that was a bit more unique and consistent.
Model 2 — “Belt” Lock Feature
In my second model, I wanted to try a model where I can make the container standing. I was inspired by W&P’s Porter Bowl, where a belt-like strap locks the whole salad container. I wanted to try this in my modeling where it could be easier to take out the banana and milk box. Based from my last model, I found it inefficient that the user would have to open a lid to take out the banana and milk box. What if there was a way where the banana and milk box are just accessible right away after an “open” feature? This thought led me to using this “belt” lock feature, where one could just open the side of the container and the banana and milk box would be exposed right away. For the fruit, I was still struggling because the whole container would have to be laid down for the fruit to be accessible. In addition, the fruit container part needed to have a different interaction of “flipping” again, which was another consistency that came with this model. It was really challenging to incorporate the same interaction for all three compartments because of the food that I was dealing with.
Model 3: Flipping, Separation of Banana
For my third model, I wanted to focus on separating the banana into a separate compartment to work with a new form that mixes rectangles and curves. For the curved area, it would be a separate “lid” that is attached to the outer rectangular compartment, where you can just open that lid and the banana would be presentable. Then, you could open the lid that reveals the milk box and fruit container. This model was more consistent in terms of the interaction while still keeping each food separated from one another.
Personally, my ideas and thoughts for each model came based on the previous model. My sketches show exploration of the arrangements of compartments and a breadth of interactions that could come with them. Through my drawings, I mainly used them to understand for myself the various forms I could break out to instead of just rectangular compartments.
Phase 3: Development and Styling
After the three models, we had a chance to redefine and choose model. After the interim presentation and developing the three models shown above, I realized that the interactions between my compartments are not cohesive with each other. I tried to make the relationships between each food more interesting and provide more entertainment while the user would be interacting with her food.
Through this form, I wanted to use a “swivel” interaction to open the compartment lid and compartments itself. As seen in the foam core model, that would be the overall form when the compartment is closed. When it is opened, it would be like the foam picture where the two smaller compartments in the front swivel and move towards the side ends. This created a nice display of the compartment and provided simpler interactions. However, I did not like how the main compartment for the banana seemed to be so emphasized in its size and placement in the middle. Each compartment is for a snack, but the big size and middle placement of the banana compartment seemed to be superior than the other compartments. In addition, there was still an inconsistency with the way that the banana opens compared to the other swivel motions. To refine this model, I thought more on hierarchy in form and looked back to previous models on how I could choose my final direction.
Final Model:
When redesigning my final model, I was brought back to my very first idea of the original box shape. I really wanted to break away from that, but I wanted to focus on the interactive elements first and then break from the rectangular box shape through styling. For the smaller compartments on the sides, they are able to break off and be taken separately to consume quick snacks as she works. Since my user does not have a set time for snacks or rest, I wanted to create individual compartments that are still part of the whole, but also able to be portable to carry around or set down next to her as she is making coffee for her customers. The small volume makes it hard to see behind the counter and is more accessible anytime. As for the banana compartment, I wanted to give it less emphasis, and I think the even rectangular form really helped with that. The banana lid flips open so that the banana is presented right away, which requires no additional step to open, grab, and close the banana.
Styling:
Styling Process (Drawings & Solidworks Modeling):
After going through more progress of styling sketches, I was able to choose a final form with enough styling. Most of my inspiration came from Smeg, especially with the rounded edges and smooth texture of glossy metal. With the model shown above, I wanted to add some features that could enhance and elevate the form, such as parting lines, feature lines, and a small chamfer on the bottom to have a small elevation.
Phase 4: 2D/3D/4D Refinement Presentation Development
From here, I explored further by having a bit more fun with different color renderings. I found that Smeg has a particular set of pastel colors (blue, cream, pink, green) and two bold colors (red and black). I wanted to try to create my own set of pastel and bold colors, so I played around with colors of materials on Keyshot to develop my own pastel and bold color line.
