The Shopping Assistant app was a conceptual design project focused on creating a holistic digital grocery shopping experience that goes beyond existing list and coupon apps. The client’s goal was to integrate health, budget, environmental, and social priorities into one seamless tool.
UX/UI Designer. This was a one week individual project I did for the Computer Interface Design class during my M.S HCI.
Most grocery apps treat food shopping as a transaction: lists, deals, and checkout. But real people juggle:
When I looked at existing apps, I realized they rarely let you balance those dimensions in one place. And they ignore the in-store experience — wayfinding, on-the-spot decisions, inventory awareness.
Big question: What if your shopping app felt more like a personal concierge — guiding you toward better choices while making the act of shopping simple and delightful?
I spoke to people who grocery shop weekly. Many carry “healthy eating” intentions but give up in the store under stress. Coupons and deals are fragmented, hard to track. Users hate decision paralysis when faced with too many options, especially for new foods. Food waste is a pain — “I forgot I already had tomatoes at home.”
I analyzed best-in-class grocery apps and identified their shortcomings in integration, personalization, and sustainability features. My design strategy emphasized:
I ran card sorts with hypothetical user segments (weekly shoppers, bulk buyers, specialty shoppers) to test how features group together (e.g. “Offers vs Coupons vs Deals”). This helped me clarify what features should live under “Home,” “Store,” or “Inventory.”
From 10+ candidate features, I narrowed down to an MVP set:
In-Store Wayfinding & Route Optimization
Health / Sustainability Filters
Pantry Inventory & Expiration AlertsDeal/Coupon Aggregation
This is the initial storyboarding in order to sketch out the player registration flow that a club secretary would go through. From there we did initial wireframe sketches and completed a preliminary linear task analysis/site map.
Smart Lists & Recipes
BuyingUsers can build lists by selecting recipes or past purchases. The app asks: “Do you want to repeat your usual list?” or “Try our seasonal variations?”
In-Store Wayfinding
Once inside a store, the app maps your list into an optimized route. It shows progress, “you’re halfway,” “3 items ahead,” or “aisle 7 next.”
Health & Sustainability Filters
Users can set priorities: “low sugar,” “organic first,” “local first.” The app subtly ranks or flags items in UI.
Pantry & Expiration Awareness
Before you shop, the app tells you “You still have broccoli,” or “Tomatoes expire tomorrow — use soon.” This reduces duplicates and waste.
Deal Aggregation & Nudges
Coupons, store offers, and competitor deals are consolidated. When browsing, friendly suggestions appear: “Your favourite cereal is 20% off,” or “This brand is fair trade — want to switch?”
This concept reframes grocery shopping as an intentional, assistive experience.
A unique value proposition: health + sustainability + ease
A foundation for future growth (community, gamification, social shopping)
A differentiated narrative in a crowded app space.
Usability testing with prototypes. Partnering with local stores for floor plan integrations. A/B tests on nudge timing and phrasing. Adding community / social features in later phases