PENDASI
An iOS app that can provide recommendations to assist in preparing and tracking a baby's MPASI (complementary feeding) for parents with babies aged 6-12 months by generating various ingredient combinations based on the baby’s age
Role
UI/UX Designer
Role
UI/UX Designer
UX Researcher
RESPONSIBILITY
Research
Thoroughly understanding target user through desk research, surveys, interviews, and user feedback analysis.
UI Design
Organized the app's content to create an easy-to-use structure and developed wireframes and prototypes to visualize the app's layout.
User Testing
Doing Concept and Usability testing to make improvements
Project Management
Oversaw project timelines and resources, ensuring that the development process ran smoothly and stayed on track
Teamwork
Collaborate with developers and other team members ensured a smooth translation of the design into the final product.
OVERVIEW
In this project, we aimed to help parents prepare and make complementary food. We researched to understand the challenges users face when dealing with complementary food and various aspects related to it. After numerous iterations to identify the root cause of the problem in complementary food and determine which aspects we could address, we ultimately chose to provide recommendations to assist in preparing and tracking baby's MPASI (complementary feeding) for parents with babies age 6-12 months by generate various ingredients combination based on baby’s age
DESIGN PROCESS
Research
Research to understanding target user and the problem
Ideation
Turn idea from concept and brainstorm to MVP
Testing
Concept Testing to make sure the idea meets user expectation
Design
Convert the idea to High Fidelity Prototype
Testing
usability testing to make an improvements
RESEARCH
DESK RESEARCH
Problem
The various problems related to complementary feeding :
Beliefs/Myths: Numerous myths and misconceptions emerge when dealing with problems or illnesses in infants, influencing decisions on what should be consumed.
Lack of In-depth Knowledge: Parents may face difficulties due to insufficient understanding of the intricacies of complementary feeding, impacting the nutritional well-being of their child.
Busy with Work: The demands of work can be a significant barrier, limiting the time parents can dedicate to researching, planning, and preparing nutritious complementary meals.
Disregard for Information: Despite available information, some parents may disregard or overlook crucial guidance on proper complementary feeding practices.
Lack of Motivation: A general lack of motivation or awareness can hinder parents from actively engaging in and prioritizing the essential aspects of complementary feeding.
Varied Needs for Complementary Feeding: Each child has unique requirements for complementary feeding, adding complexity, especially concerning aspects like supporting height/weight gain, which necessitates tailored approaches for optimal nutritional outcomes.
The Gap
The existing gap contributing to these challenges in complementary feeding can be identified through several key factors:
The effective utilization of Maternal and Child Health Handbooks (KIA) by mothers of toddlers is still low, at 21.43%.
Maternal knowledge about complementary feeding information in the KIA does not correlate with actual complementary feeding practices, even when factoring in:
- Experience: Some mothers rely on personal experience, gaining validation from their social circle.
- Socio-cultural factors: Abundance of circulating beliefs/myths.
- Internal factors such as low knowledge and education levels lead to mothers not knowing where to obtain valid information.
- UNICEF highlights a deficiency in platforms providing accurate information, data, and the status of complementary feeding nutrition.
Complementary feeding (MPASI) is crucial for babies aged 6-24 months, especially during the pivotal 6-12 months when exclusive breastfeeding can no longer meet all nutritional needs. As babies grow and require more MPASI, the challenge lies in providing diverse menus due to the varied nutritional compositions of different foods. In Indonesia, where 38% of the population faces difficulties affording a diverse and nutritious diet, caregivers encounter obstacles in preparing their baby's meals.
The demands of work and household responsibilities further compound the struggle for parents, limiting their time to research, shop, and prepare a variety of nutritious foods. Despite these challenges, introducing diverse menus is vital for babies to develop healthy food preferences, broaden their choices, and recognize different tastes and textures, crucial for sensory development. Moreover, varied menus prevent boredom, fostering an enjoyable eating experience and establishing positive eating habits, ensuring babies receive sufficient nutrition.
INTERVIEW
We conducted interviews with 7 parents, each having at least one child currently in the complementary feeding phase. The objective of these interviews is to understand parental behaviors and challenges encountered during the provision of complementary foods to their children.
OBSERVATION
We are complementing our research by observing parents through vlogs as they share their experiences in providing complementary foods to their children. This approach aims to delve into the real-life situations, contexts, the unfolding process from planning to actual feeding, and all relevant aspects surrounding the introduction of complementary foods. Through these vlogs, we seek to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire journey and intricacies associated with complementary feeding practices.
According to her, complementary feeding should include the recommended IDAI components: Carbohydrates, Animal Protein, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, and Iron.
She aims to promote weight gain in her child through strategies like doubling protein intake, incorporating high-calorie options, and including cheese in the diet.
Additionally, she uses Olive oil to enhance the flavor of the complementary foods.
According to her, finding the right texture for complementary feeding is quite challenging, especially without using a baby food processor.
Her child struggles with both overly dry and overly liquid foods, leading to instances of vomiting and choking if the texture is not appropriate.
She also experiencing difficulty in determining the optimal timing for introducing complementary foods adds another layer of challenge for her as a parent.
She adopts the Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) method to foster her child's enjoyment at the dining table and avoid the hassle of preparing porridge when on the go.
To enhance her understanding of BLW, she actively participates in workshops, and virtual courses, and reads books on baby-led weaning.
In her perspective, it is the parent's responsibility to observe the right timing, provide a conducive environment, and offer nutritious food. She emphasizes that it is the child's right to decide how much to eat or play with the food, highlighting a balanced approach to the parent-child feeding dynamic.
For the first introduction of complementary feeding, she opts for a combination of foods (protein: chicken, carbohydrates: rice, unsalted butter, and vegetables) processed using a food processor.
The outcome is notable, as her child enthusiastically consumes the meal. On the first day, the child exhibits a habit of sticking out their tongue each time food enters their mouth. This initial positive response suggests an eagerness to engage with and enjoy the introduced complementary foods.
IDEATION
USER STORY
As a parents, I want to be able to plan my baby MPASI menus, so i can optimize the MPASI preparation process
As a parents, I want to able to plan various MPASI menus with selected ingredients, so I can provide nutritious and varied MPASI for my baby
USER FLOW
Splash Screen
Displays the app logo, creating a visually appealing and recognizable introduction to the user.
Onboarding
Briefly introduce the app, emphasizing its unique features that simplify complementary feeding.
Dashboard
Provides a comprehensive view of the weekly meal plan, addressing the user's preference for planning simplicity.
Menu Section
Lists foods suitable for infants
Food Details
Offers detailed information on each food item, including calorie content, cooking time, and a simplified recipe.
Allergy and Alternatives
Allows users to modify menus based on their infant's allergies. If an allergy is detected in a recipe, the user can easily switch to alternative menu suggestions.
CONCEPT TESTING
We conducted concept testing to gather valuable insights and refine the proposed concept for the app. This testing aimed to understand user preferences and concerns to ensure the app meets the practical needs and expectations of parents navigating the intricacies of complementary feeding for their infants.
Unique Value Proposition
By exploring why users should opt for the app over a website, we have to to define and articulate the unique features that make the app more appealing and user-friendly.
Calorie Counting Concerns Users don't find it important to count calories, It will be better if the app tracks essential nutrients without complicated calculations.
Nutritional Focus
Users care about protein, carbs, and fats. We need to focus on these and make sure the app gives the info they want.
Texture Guidance
People said they needed help with textures. They need the app recommend the suitable texture for their baby.
Content Repository
Transparency on content sources and intellectual property addresses user concerns, ensuring confidence in the app's reliability.
Community Engagement
Users like community features and expert advice. The app will have both to keep users engaged and trust the app.
Trustworthiness
Making sure the app has accurate and reliable info so users can trust it for their baby's nutrition.
FEEDBACK ANALYSIS
We are diligently examining the feedback gathered from concept testing, and while some valuable insights have surfaced, we've encountered challenges and limitations in implementing certain suggestions:
Texture Guidance
Customizing texture recommendations for each child is complex due to varying preferences and digestive abilities, making it challenging to base suggestions solely on age.
Content Repository
The recipes in our content repository are safeguarded by intellectual property rights, restricting our ability to use them verbatim.
Community Engagement
The app prioritizes individual usability, posing a challenge in fostering extensive community engagement.
FEATURE AND USER FLOW
In response to the challenges identified, we've decided to enhance our planning and tracking features for baby complementary feeding. Our solution involves recommending menus based on optimal combinations of protein (prohe) and carbohydrates, ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet. The added innovation lies in tailoring the texture of the recommended menus to align with individual preferences and digestive capabilities.
FEATURE LIST :
Planning:
Users can customize the texture and exceptions based on their infant's needs, allowing for personalized planning tailored to individual preferences and dietary requirements
Weekly Plan:
Users can get the planned meal recommendation for the entire week, covering three meals a day. The app ensures that recommended foods vary throughout the week to prevent children from getting bored.
Ingredients:
Provides a comprehensive list of ingredients needed for cooking the planned menus for the week.
Specifies the quantity of each ingredient required, aiding in efficient meal preparation.
Detail Menu:
Recommends menus based on optimal combinations of protein and carbohydrates.
Includes details on how to cook each menu, expected cooking time, and cooking methods to guide users in the kitchen.
Enhances user engagement by providing fun facts about the ingredients, adding an educational and entertaining element to the feeding process.
Reaction:
Enables users to log data about their child's reactions to specific menus. This data is utilized to refine future recommendations, ensuring a more suitable and enjoyable experience for the child.
History:
Allows users to view the history of meals consumed by their child.
Tracks how often specific ingredients have been consumed and correlates this data with the child's reactions, providing insights into preferences and potential allergens.
USER FLOW :
DESIGN
LO-FI
HI-FI
USABILITY TESTING
Following the creation of our Hi-Fi design, we conducted usability testing to refine the user experience. The testing conducted with predefined scenarios and highlighted several areas for improvement:
Rencana MPASI Page:
The phrase "Ayo Mulai" lacked contextual clarity, leading to user confusion about its purpose. A more explicit description is needed to guide users on their initiating action.
Users found it challenging to understand the meal plan page when only animal protein and carbohydrates were represented by images. It is recommended to include clear labels to enhance user comprehension.
Users found it challenging to interpret the dates on the Meal Plan page, so we had to adjust the UI to improve the visibility and comprehension of displayed dates.
Page Titles Visibility:
Users occasionally struggled to identify the page titles. To address this, page names should be prominently displayed in the title area for better orientation.
Detail Menu:
The button for entering a child's response was not prominent and was easily overlooked, especially when placed in a detailed section. So we must consider making it more visible and separate from detailed information.
History Page:
Users didn't understand what the purpose of the like and dislike icon
Color Tone:
The color scheme was deemed too vibrant. Users suggested toning down the colors for a more visually balanced and user-friendly interface.
REFINED HI-FI
After conducting usability testing and further research, we implemented several improvements to the UI and introduced new elements:
Weekly Plan Default State:
The default state for the weekly plan is now based on the child's age. This simplifies the user experience by eliminating the need for users to manually select age, texture, and exceptions.
Texture Selection Removal:
Texture selection has been removed from the options, as all foods are adaptable to various textures. This streamlines the planning process and reduces complexity for users.
Editable Weekly Plan:
Users can now easily modify the contents of the weekly plan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, providing greater flexibility and customization.
Exception Filters:
The introduction of filters for exceptions allows users to efficiently navigate and select specific exceptions, enhancing the precision of their meal planning.
Child Response in Notifications:
Users can now add their child's response directly within notifications. This empowers users with the flexibility to provide feedback without feeling obligated to go through a separate process.
These UI enhancements and additional features are designed to streamline the planning process, offer greater flexibility, and provide a more intuitive and user-friendly experience for parents navigating the app.
RESULT
We are thrilled to report that following the refinement of our Hi-Fi design based on user feedback, the response has been exceptionally positive. Users are expressing satisfaction with the improved flow and UI enhancements, highlighting the practical assistance the app offers in navigating the intricacies of baby complementary feeding.
While we are grateful for the positive feedback, we acknowledge that some users still don't feel the full happiness and find the app less visually appealing. We take this valuable input seriously, and it underscores our commitment to continuous improvement. In the next iteration, we are dedicated to addressing these concerns, aiming to enhance the overall user experience and aesthetic appeal of the app to ensure it not only meets but exceeds user expectations. We sincerely appreciate the trust and enthusiasm shown by users and remain dedicated to refining and perfecting the app for an even more delightful user experience.
UPDATE
I have updated and redesigned the UI for our application. To ensure the changes align with user preferences, I'm gathering feedback through usability testing and A/B testing. See the study case here.
