Making Fruit Consumption More Sustainable and Fun.

Lemin

As part of a university research project, myself and four teammates conceptualized, prototyped and tested a solution aimed at improving the experience of buying, storing and eating fruit. We conducted initial research and developed the concept for a prototype as a team.

We then each designed the final product individually, staying in close contact to make sure we were still in alignment with our goals and requirements. .

Deliverables

Diary Study 
Focus Group
Interviews
Wireframes
Product Design

User Research

Understanding fruit eating habits with a 10-day diary study

Understanding the target audience and their challenges were our priority. We wanted to gain a deeper understanding of people’s fruit storage habits, consumption behaviors and most importantly, pain points experienced around fruit in everyday life. To gain these insights, we decided to conduct a 10-day diary study. The study consisted of several repeating questions (e.g. If you went shopping today, what fruits did you buy?) and unique daily questions (e.g. Do you grow your own fruit?) with 5 – 7 questions daily. Each study was followed up with a 30-minute interview for additional insights and clarification. For this, a semi-structured interview guide was developed. The questionnaire was implemented through Typeform. Participants were recruited through our personal network, and in total we received 18 responses. To analyze the data, we came together as a team and organized all answers into an affinity diagram using Miro.
Short Shelf Life
Making fruit last longer was a concern for many participants, and something they wished to learn more about. Some participants used hacks, such as wrapping banana stems in aluminum foil.
Food Waste
Some participants struggled to include fruit in their diet, and would forget about the fruit in their fridge until it was already expired, creating food waste.
Missing Excitement
Participants wanted to easily find new and exciting ways to bake or cook with fruit to bring more fun and variety into their diet.

Based on our research, we identified three major pain points around fruit.

The Fruit BFF
The BFF loves to eat fruit and always has a great variety of them at home. They even grow their own in the garden and love to bake with fruits. When they notice a fruit is no longer eatable, they try to use it for baking rather than throwing it out.
“Help me find new and innovative ways to use fruits in my diet, so that I can spend more time baking and eating and less time planning.”
The Fruit Acquaintance
The acquaintance does not include much fruit in their diet, and usually buys the same fruits each week. They struggle to always consume the fruits they bought and often have to throw them out because they went bad. They would like to include more fruit in their diet for health benefits, but struggle finding ways to do so.

“Help me build more fruit into my diet, in order to be healthier and avoid food waste.”

The Fruit BFF
The BFF loves to eat fruit and always has a great variety of them at home. They even grow their own in the garden and love to bake with fruits. When they notice a fruit is no longer eatable, they try to use it for baking rather than throwing it out.
The Fruit Acquaintance
The acquaintance does not include much fruit in their diet, and usually buys the same fruits each week. They struggle to always consume the fruits they bought and often have to throw them out because they went bad. They would like to include more fruit in their diet for health benefits, but struggle finding ways to do so.
“Help me find new and innovative ways to use fruits in my diet, so that I can spend more time baking and eating and less time planning.”

“Help me build more fruit into my diet, in order to be healthier and avoid food waste.”

We also developed two main personas with different needs, that could both benefit from our solution.

Concept Testing

Developing an initial prototype that alerts users about the state of fruit in their fridge and presenting it to a focus group

For our first concept, we decided to developed an initial prototype for a physical device that would alert users whenever a fruit was about to go bad. The device detects available fruits and ripeness stages automatically through sensors placed in the fridge and fruit storage spaces. To test this prototype, we organized a focus group with 5 participants.

The idea was to hold the focus group in person, showing the prototype to participants and acting out how it would be used in everyday life. Due to the pandemic situation, however, we had to switch to a remote focus group one day before the planned date. To still give participants a good idea of the prototype, we created a storyboard presenting a use case and a sketch of the prototype.

storyboard for a use case of the jerry device. A person is working, the device is next to her on the table. It lights up in red, makes a noise and the person then goes to the fridge and prepares some fruit.

Storyboard presenting the prototype and a possible use case

Main takeaways from the focus group discussion:

  • The idea was well received and participants understood the functions and value

  • A recipe function was brought up and seen as extremely useful in combination with the device

  • Participants agreed that a color coded system would be most helpful to show the fruit ripeness, and the green = ready to eat was most easily understood

  • Participants wished for a smaller device like a bracelet or simply a mobile application

Addressing Behavioral Barriers to Eating More Fruit

Possible features to address the behavioral barriers to fruit consumption and promote behavior change

To address the pain point of struggling to include fruit into the everyday diet, we brainstormed additional features and solutions for common behavioral barriers, utilizing Steve Wendel’s CREATE action funnel.

Habit Stage

Cue

Barrier

Forgetting to eat fruit, not planning the fruit into everyday meals

App Features

Notifications & Reminders, Meal Plans

Habit Stage

Reaction

Barrier

No positive association with fruit, preferring other options

App Features

Highlighting immediate benefits, Making fruit eating fun through trackers & games

Habit Stage

Evaluation

Barrier

Preparing fruit seems like too much effort

App Features

Highlighting easy & quick options, like simply eating a banana

Habit Stage

Ability

Barrier

User doesn’t know how to prepare fruit or how to use it in a recipe

App Features

Detailed recipe suggestions & preperation advice for each fruit

Habit Stage

Timing

Barrier

No urgency, procrastinating on eating the fruit

App Features

Creating urgency by showing the optimal ripeness level and when it will likely be over

Habit Stage

Barrier for Behavior

Cue

Forgetting to eat fruit, not planning the fruit into everyday meals

Reaction

No positive association with fruit, preferring other options

Evaluation

Preparing fruit seems like too much effort

Ability

User doesn’t know how to prepare fruit or how to use it in a recipe

Timing

No urgency, procrastinating on eating the fruit

App Features

Notifications & Reminders, Meal Plans

Highlighting immediate benefits, Making fruit eating fun through trackers & games

Highlighting easy & quick options, like simply eating a banana

Detailed recipe suggestions & preperation advice for each fruit

Creating urgency by showing the optimal ripeness level and when it will likely be over

Possible application features to address each barrier within the action funnel. 

Design

Sketching Ideas

At this point, we proceeded with our work individually. I began the design process with low-fidelity sketches and wireframes to accelerate decision-making through visualization. My sketches were based on the previously developed concept. I created several sketches for the subpages, and tried out different variations for the elements on the page.
two initial sketches for the jerry mobile app screens

Design

Wireframing

Using Figma, I then translated my first sketches into low-fidelity wireframes. I also visualized the possible interactions and the flow through the prototype.
wireframes and wireflow for the jerry mobile app

Design

UI Design

Using the wireframes, I conducted some initial testing and was able to identify some improvements. I decided to add the amount of total and expiring available fruits on the home screen, as well as the detailed fruit screen. I would also include corresponding tips of the day on the fruit pages.

After implementing the improvement in my wireframes, I then moved on to design the final screens in Figma. My goal was to create a visual identity that was fun and engaging.

mockups of three jerry mobile app screens on a white background

Explore More Case Studies:

Lemin | UX Research & Design

I joined Lemin, a startup developing a coaching software for team and personality development, in its initial beta-testing and launch phase. Based on insights discovered during user research, I implemented design changes that resulted in an increased engagement rate of 7%.

Read Case Study

APS Germany | Web Design

APS specializes in offering jet blast and run-up noise protection solutions for the airport industry. By giving the website a modern update, and providing strategic opportunities for clients to get in touch, I increased the contact rate by 9%. 

Read Case Study

Let's craft UX Magic together!

Let's Chat