An app designed to foster socially distanced connections over delicious meals.
Prototype Link
Team
Overview
Challenge
Jump to: goals & metrics
For a designathon hosted by Adobe XD and Innovative Design (USC’s student creative agency), our challenge was to create an app encouraging safe, socially distanced connections in just 24 hours. We decided to digitally recreate the restaurant experience. We zeroed in on two key aspects of that environment: a shared menu and opportunity for socialization.
Results
jump to: key features
We won 1st place out of over 60 submissions! Judges praised our timely concept, well-executed prototype, and strong branding.
Key Learnings
jump to: reflection & learning
Working on Chow showed me that continually returning to a prompt and a goal is an excellent way to streamline a concept. Each aspect of the project should align with these guiding principles. Thinking about Chow in 2024 also makes it clear that even solid concepts may need to pivot due to external factors.
Goals & Metrics
Goals
Address the prompt thoughtfully
Design user-friendly flows for video chats, food ordering, and restaurant/event browsing
Practice and improve design, teamwork, and prototyping skills
Key Metrics *hypothetical
Judge feedback and competition success
*App engagement (video chat length, amount of video chats over a certain length, number of orders)
*Reported improvements in mental health of users
*Reported boosts to local restaurant economy
Research
My team and I focused our research on COVID’s negative impact on the restaurant industry and on our collective mental health. We also found that shared meals can be a crucial factor in strong human connections.
Data from the National Restaurant Association and International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology showed significantly lower sales for restaurants and significantly higher rates of depression reported amongst adults in 2021 as compared to 2017. And in a 2017 interview with NPR, social psychologist Ayelet Fishbach discussed her findings that people trust and feel connected to those they share a meal with.
These findings pushed us towards our final concept.
Key Features
"start a party" flow
"community table" button
Video Chat Flows
what it is
Users can dine with friends or join public “community tables.”
why it matters
We thought users would prefer to eat with friends or family, for an experience more like typical in-person dining. But we also wanted users to be able to engage without a dedicated group to join.
how we approached it
We created two main flows for ordering food. One way is to join or start a “party,” then choose a restaurant with your “party” group. The other way is to browse restaurants, then join a community table.
is it successful?
The “party” flow works well, but the “community table” seems like a safety issue (e.g. Omegle comes to mind). Alternatives might include making open rooms text-only chats, or making them available only when there is a structured experience with a dedicated speaker, like a large Zoom call with the audience’s video and audio turned off.
alternate concepts
We brainstormed as many ways as possible to digitally combine socialization and eating. Some of my ideas included a focus on live public events, a "reserve table" functionality for advance planning, and an algorithm to match diners based on preferred cuisines and dietary restrictions.
Restaurant, item page, order summary, order confirmation
group ordering flow
Food Ordering Interface
what it is
A food ordering system built into the video interface.
why it matters
One key aspect of eating at a restaurant is a shared menu. Being able to discuss dishes or try the same thing creates a more authentic, communal experience.
how we approached it
We drew inspiration from familiar food delivery apps like UberEats and DoorDash--these systems are popular for good reason and we wanted an intuitive design. Our concept also involved syncing the ordering process for groups, so that everyone chose and received their orders at a similar time, like a real restaurant.
is it successful?
The idea of group ordering is fun, but large orders could overwhelm restaurants. One solution could be to cap party capacity based on the largest group a restaurant might seat, or limit restaurant options based on group size.
Reflection & Learning
what went well?
As a team our communication was clear and thorough, and we did a good job of delegating tasks without getting siloed. In terms of ideation, we were able to use the prompt and our research to come up with a concept that addressed multiple timely and relevant issues. As we worked, we constantly referred ourselves back to the prompt and our goal, which helped to clarify and streamline our vision.
what would I do differently?
A digital restaurant experience would not be enticing with society at large back to “normal”, so in 2024, a pivot would be necessary for Chow.
To keep the app relevant, I would start by researching the mukbang trend--as a popular form of digital connection over food, I wonder how it might inform new features. I would also investigate how the app might be helpful for immunocompromised people and others who still practice social distancing, as well as those in long-distance relationships and friendships.
