UX Design
Tacobar Case Study
App design and functionality for Tacobar, an upscale Mexican food truck experience.
Google UX Certificate Year 2023
Tacobar is an upscale Mexican food truck located in the busy suburbs of a major metropolitan city. Tacobar strives to satisfy the foodie types with their farm to table ingredients and curated recipes of Mexican classics. Tacobar targets the busy city corporate employee who wants to splurge on the experience of ordering high quality food from an unassuming food truck.
Overview
Role: UX designer creating an app for Tacobar from start to end.
Responsibilities: Conducting user interviews, paper and digital wireframing, high and low fidelity prototyping, conducting usability studies, designing for brand, aesthetic and accessibility.
Research
I conducted interviews and created empathy maps to understand the users I was designing for and their needs. Through research, a primary user group was identified: working adults with a busy schedule and hobbies, who would rather order takeout than cook.
This user group confirmed initial assumptions about potential users of the Tacobar app. However, research also showed that being short on time was not the sole factor for users ordering food online versus in person. It was found that users also wanted to try new food places that often prompt customers to learn more about through online sources. Also, ordering online is an overall more convenient option for users with disabilities and food allergies.
Starting the Design
Paper wireframes
I created three sketches per each of the 5 screens I was designing for the app’s main user flow. The iterations of this exercise allowed me to explore the best design solutions for the user problem. Out of the three sketches, I chose the best one, labeled it with its page number, and used it as a starting point when starting the app design in Figma. Screen number 4 was straight-forward so I only created one iteration. See next.
Digital Wireframes
Low-Fidelity Prototype
I connected all the digital wireframe screens in the Figma file to make a full working low-fidelity prototype, ready for user testing!
Usability studies
I conducted two moderated usability studies with 5 participants in order to find out if the main user experience, placing a pick-up order ahead of time, is easy for users to complete.
Usability Study 1 Findings
Placing an order is intuitive
Group ordering should be significantly modified
Users want words and instructions added to app for clarity
Usability Study 2 Findings
Visuals helped user understand screens better
Group ordering should be made more intuitive
Participants want more help with group ordering feature
Refining the Design
After the first usability study, it was clear that the “Share Order Link” button should be moved to a page where it would feel more intuitive for users. Also, users needed a short blurb to understand what “Share Order Link” would do. After the second usability study, I changed the “Start Group Order” pop up to a slide in page, making it easier for users to understand this feature changes the “mode” of the order to group order mode.
Accessibility Considerations
Descriptive, high res photos of food were prioritized in the design of the app to help people with reading impairments better understand the food options.
Icons were added in important places of the user flow such as customizing a food item and finalizing an order to help people with reading impairments choose accurately.
“App Settings” is a designated place to enable screen readers or to change the language of the app.
Takeaways & Next Steps
Impact
This app makes users feel understood by the brand Tacobar. The app prioritizes user’s need for efficiency while maintaining an upscale nature that promises quality food.
Quote from peer feedback: "I really liked it, has great pictures and visuals, it’s a great app.”
Next Steps
1. Conduct another round of usability studies in order to find out if user’s needs have fully been addressed.
2. Continue developing the app brand for Tacobar and make it effective fulfilling user’s needs.
What I Learned
While designing the Tacobar app I learned how valuable usability studies can be and how much direction users give the app. It feels good to help fulfill user’s needs and lifestyles with quality design.
Thank you so much for reviewing my work on the Tacobar app! I would love to connect and chat further about future projects.
daniruedaart@gmail.com