VeganHive

place page

My Role
UX/UI Designer

Timeline
Oct 2022 - Jan 2023

project introduction

Vegan Place is your ultimate guide to discovering thriving vegan communities and businesses worldwide. Whether you're exploring a new city or simply seeking out delicious and sustainable options in your local area, Vegan Place has you covered. Easily find vegan restaurants, cafes, shops, and more, all in one convenient app.

the problem

Despite the abundance of general business and place discovery apps, vegans often face challenges in finding suitable options that cater to their specific dietary needs. Current platforms can be overwhelming and time-consuming, hindering vegans' ability to efficiently discover and explore vegan-friendly businesses.

THE GOALS

Create a user-friendly app that empowers vegans to discover and connect with the best vegan businesses worldwide. The app should provide a seamless experience for finding local or global vegan options, including restaurants, cafes, shops, and more.

research

To deliver an exceptional user experience, we conducted a thorough analysis of competing apps, even those not directly targeting the vegan community. By studying their key features, information hierarchy, layout, and screen navigation patterns, we identified opportunities to enhance the search process and create a more intuitive and enjoyable experience for vegan users.

analysis insights

Through extensive testing across all pages, we gained valuable insights into UX, layout, responsive design, information hierarchy, navigation, places disposition and overall UI. These findings informed our understanding of optimal organizational structures, layout principles, and UX/UI best practices to guide our early-stage design process.

To create a user-centric experience, we conducted a thorough analysis of place preview cards on popular platforms like Happy Cow, Google Maps, and Airbnb. By examining their key features and information presentation, we identified the most valuable elements to include in our design. This analysis led us to prioritize the following information in our place preview cards:

  • Store/Business Name: Clearly display the name of the business for easy identification.

  • Rating: Showcase the overall rating to provide a quick overview of customer satisfaction.

  • Category: Categorize the business (e.g., restaurant, cafe, shop) for targeted searches.

  • Address: Provide the complete address for easy navigation.

  • Open Time: Display hours of operation to help users plan their visits.

  • Gallery: Include a preview image or gallery to showcase the business's atmosphere and offerings.

  • Action Buttons: Provide clear and accessible buttons for actions like "Save," "Directions," and "Website," allowing users to take immediate action.

By carefully selecting and organizing this information, we aimed to create place preview cards that are both visually appealing and informative, enabling users to quickly assess and engage with relevant businesses.

the solution

After a thorough analysis of our research findings, we determined the key steps necessary to achieve our goal of providing a personalized experience for vegan users.

To facilitate exploration and discovery, we opted for a full-screen map view. This immersive approach allows users to easily visualize the available vegan options in their desired location. (Box 1)

Additionally, we implemented a search bar to streamline the search process. Users can quickly input keywords or categories to find specific vegan businesses that match their preferences. (Box 2)

To further enhance personalization, we included two main filter buttons. These buttons allow users to filter search results based on their current location, ensuring that they only see relevant options within their proximity. (Box 3)

To provide a more granular search experience, we implemented custom map markers that visually differentiate between restaurants and shops. This allows users to quickly identify the type of business they are interested in while exploring the map.

To address the challenge of multiple businesses sharing the same location, we developed a clustering mechanism. When several businesses are located close together, they are grouped into a single marker on the map. Clicking on this cluster reveals a list of the individual businesses, allowing users to easily explore and compare options within a specific location.

To reinforce our commitment to the vegan community, we prominently display the vegan symbol on all listed businesses. This visual cue instantly assures users that every featured business is 100% vegan, providing them with confidence and peace of mind in their search for plant-based options.

To foster a collaborative community and enhance the platform's value, we've added a user-contributed feature. A dedicated "Add Place" button allows users to easily suggest missing businesses or locations, expanding the platform's coverage and ensuring it remains a comprehensive resource for the vegan community.

To enhance the user experience and provide more viewing options, we've added a list view alongside the map view. This allows users to quickly scan and identify businesses in a simplified list format, reducing the time spent exploring the map. By offering both map and list views, we cater to different user preferences and provide a more efficient way to discover and select businesses.

Place Card

Drawing on our extensive UX/UI research, we crafted place cards that effectively highlight key business information while maintaining a visually appealing and user-friendly design. Each card prominently displays a business's logo, name, rating, address, hours of operation, and a captivating gallery.

To streamline user interaction and encourage engagement, we strategically placed prominent call-to-action buttons. These buttons enable users to effortlessly share businesses or obtain directions with just a single click, seamlessly facilitating their journey to the listed locations.

mobile

To guarantee a seamless user experience across all devices, we adopted a mobile-first approach. By prioritizing mobile optimization, we ensured a clean and intuitive interface that adapts effortlessly to larger screens. This approach prioritizes simplicity and accessibility, allowing users to navigate and utilize Vegan Place effectively regardless of their chosen device.

takeaway

By meticulously analyzing our competitors and their strategies, we gained valuable insights into effective and ineffective approaches within the industry. This knowledge, combined with a deep understanding of our target users, enabled us to design an app that not only meets but exceeds their expectations.

Vegan Place is a comprehensive solution that addresses the challenges vegans often face in finding relevant businesses. Our app empowers users to quickly and easily search, discover, and navigate to vegan-friendly establishments worldwide, eliminating the frustration of sifting through irrelevant options.

With Vegan Place, users can effortlessly find vegan restaurants, cafes, shops, and more, all in one convenient platform. This all-in-one approach streamlines the search process and saves users valuable time, making it the go-to app for vegans seeking a vibrant and inclusive community.