top of page

Sugarwise

Sugarwise is an Augmented Reality (AR) - based mobile application. It enable users to scan grocery products at the grocery stores with the vital information, such as sugar content and provides healthier alternatives for those scanned products.

Timeline

Aug - Oct 2023

Role

UX designer

Team

Namitha Murali, Rutika Bangera, Saksham Rajput

IMG_0343 1.png

My story begins with observing a concerning trend:

​

The widespread consumption of sugary snacks and beverages among young adults, particularly students. This normalization of high sugar intake troubled me, evident in the prevalence of vending machines stocked with such items. Motivated by the health risks posed by excessive sugar consumption, I embarked on this project to promote healthier eating habits and mitigate potential health hazards among students.

Understanding the users

The design journey was initiated by addressing these questions first:
 

  • Who is our target audience?

  • What is the reason for choosing them as the target audience?

  • How will the application help them with the problem?

  • What is the scope of the project?

Research method used

IMG_0355 1.png

User Surveys -

We conducted a research study with Indian international students in the United States experiencing homesickness. Using surveys and one-on-one interviews, we gathered responses from 30 participants in just 38 hours. Our analysis of the 12 questions revealed valuable insights into their experiences and emotions.

70%

Percent of students who like sugary products

18-35

Age group

60%

New Students
 (Being in the US for less than a year)

Some participants reported dependence on processed food products and instant products like bread, uncrustables due to time restrictions.

Participants shared that many students are unsure or lack confidence about reducing the amount of sugar they consume in their diets.

Participants highlighted lack of awareness about sugar alternatives was a common obstacle for them to care about their sugar intake.

All participants mentioned that emotional impacts of sugar consumption included immediate pleasure and mood enhancement.

User Interviews -

To better understand the challenges of high sugar consumption in our target audience, we conducted one-on-one interviews. The 6 participants we interviewed shared their dietary habits and various different insights about sugar consumption.

IMG_0356 1.png

This helped us to create a persona that was kept front and center while designing.

Brainstorming & Ideation

IMG_0342 2.png

Sketching & Prototyping

Proposed Solution

Our solution enables users to scan individual products at grocery stores as students mainly rely on pre-packaged food available at the grocery stores. Upon scanning, the app displays vital information, such as total sugar content, and provides healthier alternatives for the scanned products.

Our goal is to simplify the process for students to educate them on maintaining the right balance in eating habits and guide them toward healthier food choices.

Final Designs

Setting Daily Limit

  • Empowering users to customize their daily sugar intake based on age and gender. Offering a personalized touch — users can also opt for a custom option to set a unique daily sugar limit that aligns perfectly with their individual preferences and health goals. This flexibility ensures a tailored and user-centric approach to managing sugar intake for a healthier lifestyle.

Scanning a Product

  • The application offers a swift product scan feature that instantly reveals the sugar content. Beyond the quick scan, users receive a comprehensive product description, providing detailed insights into the item.

​

  • Taking personalization to the next level, the app considers the user's previously entered personal details. It not only displays the sugar content but also breaks down the portion-wise intake tailored to the user's specific information.
     

Scanning an Aisle

  • The application provides a unique feature that enables users to scan entire aisles, identifying products with low sugar content. This functionality goes beyond individual product scans, offering a holistic view of healthier options within a given aisle.

​

  • Users can quickly assess products and receive recommendations for healthier substitutes. This not only simplifies the process of making informed choices but also promotes a convenient way to opt for alternatives with lower sugar content.

Usability methods used

  • We conducted usability studies to identify and rectify system problems, tailoring the app to user expectations and requirements.

​

  • We used a variety of evaluation methods, including think-aloud sessions and heuristic evaluations to gather valuable insights and identify opportunities for design enhancement.

​

  • These methods helped us identify areas for improvement, answer questions about which aspects of the interaction were challenging for users, and determine what improvements they expected.

Key Evaluation Insights

Our evaluations included heuristic analysis as well as think-aloud sessions. They revealed important information on the scanning system.

Future Scope

We plan on integrating user and expert feedback to enhance our platform's functionality. Our goal is to improve user engagement and event completion rates. We’d also focus on regularly assessing new features to refine the design and enhance the user experience. Plus, we’ll be testing social connection features to foster a stronger community vibe. Continuous improvement through iterative design and user input is at the heart of what we do.

Takeaways

This project has been pivotal in my growth as a designer, deepening my grasp of user research and its impact on crafting exceptional user experiences. It has not only honed my technical skills but also ignited my creativity. I look forward to applying these skills to future projects, pushing the boundaries of design innovation and user engagement.

bottom of page