Noted
Empowering diners with an alternative way to communicate their allergies and intolerances.
My Role
End-to-end design
Project Type
Solo course project
Timeframe
5 weeks (January-February 2024)
Skills
Immersion, user interviews, service design, speculative design
Noted
Empowering diners with an alternative way to communicate their allergies and intolerances.
My Role
End-to-end design
Project Type
Solo course project
Timeframe
5 weeks (January-February 2024)
Skills
Immersion, user interviews, service design, speculative design
Noted
Empowering diners with an alternative way to communicate their allergies and intolerances.
My Role
End-to-end design
Project Type
Solo course project
Timeframe
5 weeks (January-February 2024)
Skills
Immersion, user interviews, service design, speculative design
Context
Food allergies and intolerance affect ~33 million people in the U.S.
Context
Food allergies and intolerance affect ~33 million people in the U.S.
Context
Food allergies and intolerance affect ~33 million people in the U.S.
According to FARE, Food Allergy Research & Education
According to FARE, Food Allergy Research & Education
According to FARE, Food Allergy Research & Education
For some, these are life-threatening conditions that must be very carefully managed.
For others, their reactions are less severe but still impact their overall health and wellbeing. Many people change their diets, medications, and routines to avoid or respond to their allergy or intolerance.
For some, these are life-threatening conditions that must be very carefully managed.
For others, their reactions are less severe but still impact their overall health and wellbeing. Many people change their diets, medications, and routines to avoid or respond to their allergy or intolerance.
For some, these are life-threatening conditions that must be very carefully managed.
For others, their reactions are less severe but still impact their overall health and wellbeing. Many people change their diets, medications, and routines to avoid or respond to their allergy or intolerance.
In my course Interaction Design: Understanding Health and Well-Being, we explored ways to support people who live with food allergies and intolerances.
Outcome
Noted
A card that lets you store and discreetly share your allergy and intolerance information, ensuring safer and stress-free dining.
Outcome
Noted
A card that lets you store and discreetly share your allergy and intolerance information, ensuring safer and stress-free dining.
Outcome
Noted
A card that lets you store and discreetly share your allergy and intolerance information, ensuring safer and stress-free dining.
Before dining out
Upload your information, including types of allergies or intolerances, severity, and food preparation requirements.
Once submitted, you’ll receive a card by mail that looks and works like a credit card!
Before dining out
Upload your information, including types of allergies or intolerances, severity, and food preparation requirements.
Once submitted, you’ll receive a card by mail that looks and works like a credit card!
Before dining out
Upload your information, including types of allergies or intolerances, severity, and food preparation requirements.
Once submitted, you’ll receive a card by mail that looks and works like a credit card!
At the restaurant
Before ordering, tap or swipe your card in a card reader. The reader will then print a sticker with the your allergy information that servers can attach to your order.
You no longer have to verbally explain your dietary restrictions if you prefer not to. However, you can still feel assured that the kitchen will have all the information to safely prepare your meal.
At the restaurant
Before ordering, tap or swipe your card in a card reader. The reader will then print a sticker with the your allergy information that servers can attach to your order.
You no longer have to verbally explain your dietary restrictions if you prefer not to. However, you can still feel assured that the kitchen will have all the information to safely prepare your meal.
At the restaurant
Before ordering, tap or swipe your card in a card reader. The reader will then print a sticker with the your allergy information that servers can attach to your order.
You no longer have to verbally explain your dietary restrictions if you prefer not to. However, you can still feel assured that the kitchen will have all the information to safely prepare your meal.
The result
Dine out with greater peace of mind! Restaurant staff can also more effectively support you.
The result
Dine out with greater peace of mind! Restaurant staff can also more effectively support you.
The result
Dine out with greater peace of mind! Restaurant staff can also more effectively support you.
Exploratory Research
I wanted to understand what it is like living with allergies and intolerances.
Exploratory Research
I wanted to understand what it is like living with allergies and intolerances.
Exploratory Research
I wanted to understand what it is like living with allergies and intolerances.
Since I don't have any myself, I began with a one week lactose intolerance immersion. While this gave me a glimpse into the challenges my audience faces, this method has its limits. When I accidentally consumed milk, I didn’t have to face the consequences, so the stakes weren't as high.
Still, it helped me identify areas to focus on when I later interviewed people with lived experience:
Since I don't have any myself, I began with a one week lactose intolerance immersion. While this gave me a glimpse into the challenges my audience faces, this method has its limits. When I accidentally consumed milk, I didn’t have to face the consequences, so the stakes weren't as high.
Still, it helped me identify areas to focus on when I later interviewed people with lived experience:
Since I don't have any myself, I began with a one week lactose intolerance immersion. While this gave me a glimpse into the challenges my audience faces, this method has its limits. When I accidentally consumed milk, I didn’t have to face the consequences, so the stakes weren't as high.
Still, it helped me identify areas to focus on when I later interviewed people with lived experience:
What feelings come up when communicating your dietary needs?
💗
What feelings come up when communicating your dietary needs?
💗
What feelings come up when communicating your dietary needs?
💗
How do allergies and intolerances shape your social experiences?
👯
How do allergies and intolerances shape your social experiences?
👯
How do allergies and intolerances shape your social experiences?
👯
Notes from my immersion
Notes from my immersion
Notes from my immersion
Synthesizing Findings
My findings, along with those from the 44 interviews my classmates conducted, revealed a common theme.
Synthesizing Findings
My findings, along with those from the 44 interviews my classmates conducted, revealed a common theme.
Synthesizing Findings
My findings, along with those from the 44 interviews my classmates conducted, revealed a common theme.
Many people face both internal and external barriers to verbally communicating their allergies and intolerances.
Many people face both internal and external barriers to verbally communicating their allergies and intolerances.
Many people face both internal and external barriers to verbally communicating their allergies and intolerances.
Affinity map of interview insights to identify emerging themes
Affinity map of interview insights to identify emerging themes
Affinity map of interview insights to identify emerging themes
Internally, they deal with feelings of anxiety and a fear of burdening others. Externally, some restaurant staff or those in their social circle hold misconceptions about their allergies and intolerances.
Internally, they deal with feelings of anxiety and a fear of burdening others. Externally, some restaurant staff or those in their social circle hold misconceptions about their allergies and intolerances.
Internally, they deal with feelings of anxiety and a fear of burdening others. Externally, some restaurant staff or those in their social circle hold misconceptions about their allergies and intolerances.
🍋
Classmate 4’s interviewee with a citrus allergy
I sometimes get embarrassed to ask if something has citrus in it and will even get someone else to ask for me.
Classmate 4’s interviewee with a citrus allergy
I sometimes get embarrassed to ask if something has citrus in it and will even get someone else to ask for me.
🍋
Classmate 4’s interviewee with a citrus allergy
I sometimes get embarrassed to ask if something has citrus in it and will even get someone else to ask for me.
🌰
Classmate 7’s interviewee with a nut allergy
People don’t seem to understand that levels of allergy severity can differ. It’s not always worth it to explain the differences but they do matter.
Classmate 7’s interviewee with a nut allergy
People don’t seem to understand that levels of allergy severity can differ. It’s not always worth it to explain the differences but they do matter.
🌰
Classmate 7’s interviewee with a nut allergy
People don’t seem to understand that levels of allergy severity can differ. It’s not always worth it to explain the differences but they do matter.
To summarize my audience’s needs across a variety of dimensions, I used the Jobs-To-Be-Done framework.
To summarize my audience’s needs across a variety of dimensions, I used the Jobs-To-Be-Done framework.
To summarize my audience’s needs across a variety of dimensions, I used the Jobs-To-Be-Done framework.
Defining the Problem
This research allowed me to narrow my project’s focus and consider...
Defining the Problem
This research allowed me to narrow my project’s focus and consider...
Defining the Problem
This research allowed me to narrow my project’s focus and consider...
How might we help people comfortably and effectively communicate critical allergy and intolerance information?
Are there ways to make verbally conveying dietary restrictions less stressful and embarrassing?
Are there non-verbal ways to communicate?
The solution needs to convey allergy and intolerance information as well (or better) than current methods as safety is the #1 priority
Brainstorming & Evaluating
I generated 20+ solutions. Then, I filtered them based on desirability, viability, and feasibility.
Brainstorming & Evaluating
I generated 20+ solutions. Then, I filtered them based on desirability, viability, and feasibility.
Brainstorming & Evaluating
I generated 20+ solutions. Then, I filtered them based on desirability, viability, and feasibility.
Although a few of my ideas met all three criteria, I ultimately chose to move forward with the shareable allergy profile.
While it didn’t rank as highly on feasibility as some other concepts, it brought more unique value to the table compared to ideas like allergy icons that already exist.
Although a few of my ideas met all three criteria, I ultimately chose to move forward with the shareable allergy profile.
While it didn’t rank as highly on feasibility as some other concepts, it brought more unique value to the table compared to ideas like allergy icons that already exist.
Although a few of my ideas met all three criteria, I ultimately chose to move forward with the shareable allergy profile.
While it didn’t rank as highly on feasibility as some other concepts, it brought more unique value to the table compared to ideas like allergy icons that already exist.
IDEO’s Desirability, Viability, Feasibility Framework
IDEO’s Desirability, Viability, Feasibility Framework
IDEO’s Desirability, Viability, Feasibility Framework
It also tackled the toughest challenge—publicly sharing allergy information—whereas other ideas, like an allergy rating app, mainly focused on communication within the allergy community, which wasn’t a major obstacle for most.
It also tackled the toughest challenge—publicly sharing allergy information—whereas other ideas, like an allergy rating app, mainly focused on communication within the allergy community, which wasn’t a major obstacle for most.
It also tackled the toughest challenge—publicly sharing allergy information—whereas other ideas, like an allergy rating app, mainly focused on communication within the allergy community, which wasn’t a major obstacle for most.
Refining the Solution
I considered two versions of the shareable allergy card.
Refining the Solution
I considered two versions of the shareable allergy card.
Refining the Solution
I considered two versions of the shareable allergy card.
The first idea was digital—a mobile allergy profile that can be shared via Air Drop (or similar technology)—and the other was physical—an allergy card that can be scanned by a card reader.
While I was initially leaning towards the digital option, talking to classmates with allergies and experience working in restaurants led me to pivot because:
The first idea was digital—a mobile allergy profile that can be shared via Air Drop (or similar technology)—and the other was physical—an allergy card that can be scanned by a card reader.
While I was initially leaning towards the digital option, talking to classmates with allergies and experience working in restaurants led me to pivot because:
The first idea was digital—a mobile allergy profile that can be shared via Air Drop (or similar technology)—and the other was physical—an allergy card that can be scanned by a card reader.
While I was initially leaning towards the digital option, talking to classmates with allergies and experience working in restaurants led me to pivot because:
📱
Completely digital is seen as too streamlined.
Several people suggested having a sticker printed out after the card is swiped, providing tangible confirmation that their dietary information had been successfully shared. This helped foster trust that the kitchen received the proper preparation instructions.
Completely digital is seen as too streamlined.
📱
Several people suggested having a sticker printed out after the card is swiped, providing tangible confirmation that their dietary information had been successfully shared. This helped foster trust that the kitchen received the proper preparation instructions.
Several people suggested having a sticker printed out after the card is swiped, providing tangible confirmation that their dietary information had been successfully shared. This helped foster trust that the kitchen received the proper preparation instructions.
Completely digital is seen as too streamlined.
📱
📝
Sticker better integrates with existing workflows.
Many restaurants still have servers write orders down on a notepad, or the orders are printed out when they reach the kitchen. A sticker better integrates with a wider variety of settings.
Sticker better integrates with existing workflows.
📝
Many restaurants still have servers write orders down on a notepad, or the orders are printed out when they reach the kitchen. A sticker better integrates with a wider variety of settings.
Many restaurants still have servers write orders down on a notepad, or the orders are printed out when they reach the kitchen. A sticker better integrates with a wider variety of settings.
Sticker better integrates with existing workflows.
📝
A Note on Printing Stickers with a Card Reader
A Note on Printing Stickers with a Card Reader
A Note on Printing Stickers with a Card Reader
Based on my research, there doesn't appear to be a widely used product that combines a card reader with a sticker printer, which made this aspect of my project speculative.
However, since the thermal printing technology exists separately for both products, I believe combining them in the near future is entirely feasible.
Based on my research, there doesn't appear to be a widely used product that combines a card reader with a sticker printer, which made this aspect of my project speculative.
However, since the thermal printing technology exists separately for both products, I believe combining them in the near future is entirely feasible.
Based on my research, there doesn't appear to be a widely used product that combines a card reader with a sticker printer, which made this aspect of my project speculative.
However, since the thermal printing technology exists separately for both products, I believe combining them in the near future is entirely feasible.
Left: SumUp Solo + Printer Bundle | Right: Rollo USB Label Printer
Left: SumUp Solo + Printer Bundle | Right: Rollo USB Label Printer
Left: SumUp Solo + Printer Bundle | Right: Rollo USB Label Printer
Testing
While I initially had trouble figuring out how to test an idea without an interactive prototype, I got creative.
Testing
While I initially had trouble figuring out how to test an idea without an interactive prototype, I got creative.
Testing
While I initially had trouble figuring out how to test an idea without an interactive prototype, I got creative.
Using storyboards, I illustrated the process of using the card. Instead of providing my own descriptions of the panels up front, I asked my users to walk me through their interpretations. This approach allowed me to identify any confusing steps and ask follow-up questions.
Using storyboards, I illustrated the process of using the card. Instead of providing my own descriptions of the panels up front, I asked my users to walk me through their interpretations. This approach allowed me to identify any confusing steps and ask follow-up questions.
Using storyboards, I illustrated the process of using the card. Instead of providing my own descriptions of the panels up front, I asked my users to walk me through their interpretations. This approach allowed me to identify any confusing steps and ask follow-up questions.
Feedback
Feedback
Feedback
Users thought the product was clever and successfully provided another way to communicate! However, there were still some areas to improve:
Users thought the product was clever and successfully provided another way to communicate! However, there were still some areas to improve:
Users thought the product was clever and successfully provided another way to communicate! However, there were still some areas to improve:
🔁
Reconsider when during dining the card is swiped.
Some people raised concerns about the card being requested after the customer is seated since it seemed too late to turn back.
Reconsider when during dining the card is swiped.
🔁
Some people raised concerns about the card being requested after the customer is seated since it seemed too late to turn back.
Some people raised concerns about the card being requested after the customer is seated since it seemed too late to turn back.
Reconsider when during dining the card is swiped.
🔁
🤔
Choose sticker content more intentionally.
While the process was my priority, people were curious what would be on the sticker. I wanted to take this as an opportunity to think through what information to prioritize.
Choose sticker content more intentionally.
🤔
While the process was my priority, people were curious what would be on the sticker. I wanted to take this as an opportunity to think through what information to prioritize.
While the process was my priority, people were curious what would be on the sticker. I wanted to take this as an opportunity to think through what information to prioritize.
Choose sticker content more intentionally.
🤔
Solution
Revising the procedure and refining the allergy sticker’s details.
Solution
Revising the procedure and refining the allergy sticker’s details.
Solution
Revising the procedure and refining the allergy sticker’s details.
In this new version, the waiter asks about dietary needs before seating, allowing diners to discreetly present their card and making it less awkward to leave iif there are no suitable options.
The sticker now also includes a field for communication preferences, helping the server understand the diner’s comfort level discussing allergies publicly.
In this new version, the waiter asks about dietary needs before seating, allowing diners to discreetly present their card and making it less awkward to leave iif there are no suitable options.
The sticker now also includes a field for communication preferences, helping the server understand the diner’s comfort level discussing allergies publicly.
In this new version, the waiter asks about dietary needs before seating, allowing diners to discreetly present their card and making it less awkward to leave iif there are no suitable options.
The sticker now also includes a field for communication preferences, helping the server understand the diner’s comfort level discussing allergies publicly.
🌳
Why the nature imagery on the card?
Since the traditional process of verbally relaying allergies in restaurant settings can be stressful, my goal was to use a visual language that conveys the opposite of this, evoking a sense of calm.
Why the nature imagery on the card?
🌳
Since the traditional process of verbally relaying allergies in restaurant settings can be stressful, my goal was to use a visual language that conveys the opposite of this, evoking a sense of calm.
Since the traditional process of verbally relaying allergies in restaurant settings can be stressful, my goal was to use a visual language that conveys the opposite of this, evoking a sense of calm.
Why the nature imagery on the card?
🌳
🎨
Why black and white for the sticker?
I considered using color to match the card visually, but I chose black and white to keep costs down, reducing financial barriers for restaurants. Furthermore, the card reader could use existing innovations like thermal printing for receipts as a way to print the allergy stickers, making this slightly speculative project more grounded in reality.
Why black and white for the sticker?
🎨
I considered using color to match the card visually, but I chose black and white to keep costs down, reducing financial barriers for restaurants. Furthermore, the card reader could use existing innovations like thermal printing for receipts as a way to print the allergy stickers, making this slightly speculative project more grounded in reality.
I considered using color to match the card visually, but I chose black and white to keep costs down, reducing financial barriers for restaurants. Furthermore, the card reader could use existing innovations like thermal printing for receipts as a way to print the allergy stickers, making this slightly speculative project more grounded in reality.
Why black and white for the sticker?
🎨
Conclusion
So what now?
Conclusion
So what now?
Conclusion
So what now?
Future Direction
Future Direction
Future Direction
1.
Where does the audience upload their allergy and intolerance information? Would an app, website, or other method best serve them? I could create the companion product.
1.
Where does the audience upload their allergy and intolerance information? Would an app, website, or other method best serve them? I could create the companion product.
1.
Where does the audience upload their allergy and intolerance information? Would an app, website, or other method best serve them? I could create the companion product.
2.
Besides restaurants, could this card be useful anywhere else? What are the different design considerations?
2.
Besides restaurants, could this card be useful anywhere else? What are the different design considerations?
2.
Besides restaurants, could this card be useful anywhere else? What are the different design considerations?
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
1.
By prioritizing breadth and documenting every idea I had, I didn’t have time to get too attached to any one. When it came time to narrowing them down, I could look at them more objectively.
1.
By prioritizing breadth and documenting every idea I had, I didn’t have time to get too attached to any one. When it came time to narrowing them down, I could look at them more objectively.
1.
By prioritizing breadth and documenting every idea I had, I didn’t have time to get too attached to any one. When it came time to narrowing them down, I could look at them more objectively.
2.
As obvious as it may sound, digital is not always better. While I knew this in theory, I saw firsthand that if I hadn’t tested my assumption about the digital allergy profile being the preferred option, I may have moved in a direction that did not serve my audience.
2.
As obvious as it may sound, digital is not always better. While I knew this in theory, I saw firsthand that if I hadn’t tested my assumption about the digital allergy profile being the preferred option, I may have moved in a direction that did not serve my audience.
2.
As obvious as it may sound, digital is not always better. While I knew this in theory, I saw firsthand that if I hadn’t tested my assumption about the digital allergy profile being the preferred option, I may have moved in a direction that did not serve my audience.