COMPANY
Kook
EXPERTISE
UX/UI Design
YEAR
2025
Kook - Simplifying households’ daily lives against food waste
KOOK addresses a critical issue: food waste at home, caused by several common challenges:
Confusion around dates: Users often don’t understand the difference between “use by” and “best before.”
Excessive caution: Safe to eat items are discarded out of fear.
Lack of inspiration: Leftovers remain in the fridge because users don’t know how to use them, eventually going to waste.
KOOK’s Solution:
Smart inventory management: Barcode scanning and automatic reminders help users track what needs to be consumed today or soon.
Personalized recipe suggestions: Recipes adapt to available ingredients, including leftovers, making meals appealing and reducing waste.
AI-powered assistant: Guides users, answers inventory questions, and recommends recipes tailored to their lifestyle.
Primary Target Users:
Eco-conscious individuals concerned about budget and sustainability.
Busy professionals and families with limited time for cooking.
Role: UX/UI Designer
Responsibilities: User research, journey mapping, prototyping, testing, iteration, interactive interface design
Goal: Deliver a user-centered application combining AI-driven intelligence and personalization to maximize food waste reduction.
Process
Research & Problem Understanding
I studied household food waste and its ecological impact (CO₂ emissions, resource usage).
I conducted user interviews to uncover recurring pain points, such as confusion around expiration dates and difficulty using leftovers.
I collected insights to empathize with users and clearly define the problem space.
Analysis & Prioritization
I synthesized research findings to identify critical user needs and opportunities.
I defined the essential features for the MVP to maintain a simple, intuitive, and focused experience.
Synthesis & Pattern Analysis
After the interviews, I created insight cards for each observation.
I grouped and sorted these cards to identify recurring patterns and common pain points.
This process helped me prioritize the most critical needs and guide feature selection.
Wireframing & Prototyping
I developed multiple low-fidelity wireframes to explore layout and feature placement.
I iterated based on usability feedback to ensure clarity, accessibility, and intuitive navigation.
Key Features Implementation
AI Assistant: I designed it to guide users, answer inventory questions, and provide personalized recipe suggestions.
Barcode Scanner: I implemented this feature to enable quick addition of items and seamless inventory tracking.
Iteration
The iteration phase was the longest and most intensive part of the project.
I explored different layouts, workflows, and feature arrangements to find the optimal balance between functionality and simplicity.
I conducted multiple rounds of testing and refinement to ensure that all core features were accessible, intuitive, and user-friendly without overwhelming the interface.