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IoT Kitchen Assistant

Overview

The IoT Kitchen Assistant was a rapid, three-day project completed for Company X (name withheld due to NDA). 

Task

I began the project by mapping out actions needed for the task at hand.

"Imagine you've been asked to design an app interface for a connected microwave, what might the app interface look like?"
Connected microwave

Research traditional and smart microwaves​

To acquire general knowledge about microwaves

Learnings

The above groundwork led to several learnings:

Company X's app

  • The app interface mimics actual Company X products

I would adopt the same approach for Company X's microwave

Traditional microwaves

Uses

Functions

  • Defrost​

  • Reheat

  • Roast

  • Grill

  • Boil

  • Steam

  • Blanch

  • Bake

  • Start​

  • Stop / Clear

  • Time (X min X sec)

  • Power (Level 1-10)

  • Defrost

  • Reheat

  • Not all traditional microwaves provide such diverse uses. The basic uses are 'Defrost' and 'Reheat' while other uses allow for cooking.

I didn't have enough information about Company X's microwave and its uses which made it difficult to scope out what the app could and couldn't do

Smart microwaves

  • WiFi-based appliances, Able to control remotely via an app

Challenge

A key challenge was the lack of information about Company X's product strategy. It was unclear whether Company X's microwave incorporated any proprietary technology that could affect the app's priorities and design direction. Without such knowledge, it was difficult to assess the kind of features Company X could support. I knew I would have to make assumptions about the app's priorities—something I would aim to clarify early on with stakeholders in a real-world setting.

Process

Using the Double Diamond framework to structure my design process and outline key activities for each phase

Discover phase:

  • User Research

Explore / Define phase:

  • Synthesis

  • Prioritisation

Develop / Test phase:

  • ​Wireframing & Prototyping

  • Testing*

  • Iteration*

Deliver phase:

  • Next Steps

*Due to time constraints, I wasn't able to carry out these activities

User Research

I conducted User Interviews with two individuals, each lasting approximately 30 minutes.

The Goal

  • To gather insights from users regarding their microwave usage

  • To discover needs and pain points with regards to existing traditional or smart microwave usage

  • To explore features for microwave usage through an app

Interview Guide

  • How often do you use a microwave?

  • What do you use a microwave for?

  • For _ with a microwave, what type of dishes do you prepare? (Repeat for each use)

  • Please describe your routine when you _ with a microwave. (Repeat for each use)

    • What do you think about it?

    • How do you feel about it?

  • How do you interact with the microwave's settings when you _ with a microwave? (Repeat for each use)

  • Is there anything you wish to do with a microwave that you currently aren't able to? Please explain.

  • ​In what ways do you think an app could improve your microwave usage? Please explain.

Synthesis

With insights gathered from the user research, I created a Value Proposition Canvas. 

The Goal

  • To gain an understanding of users and ensure the app is positioned around their needs and pain points

  • To conceptualise features for the app

See Figma

Prioritisation

From there, I ranked features based on its importance using the MoSCoW method (Must Have, Should Have, Could Have, Won't Have).

The Goal

  • To manage time constraints - For a minimum viable product 

  • To opt for features that provide a strong foundation for the app's functionality and usability

See Figma

Solution

The solution consists of all features under Must Have and some features under Should Have.

See Figma

Design decisions

Pink Poppy Flowers

Lets users know the microwave’s status

  • ON / OFF

  • In Use / Not In Use

​

To get started with the app, users are prompted to switch on the microwave if they have not done so. When not in use, they're reminded to switch off the microwave for safety and energy efficiency.

Pink Poppy Flowers

Visual indicators

  • ON → Bright, OFF → Dark

  • An opened / closed door is shown on the app based on the actual microwave

​

Lets users control the microwave's settings remotely (Under Must Have). A button is enabled only when the microwave is ready.

Pink Poppy Flowers
Pink Poppy Flowers

Lets users combine multiple functions in a cycle (Under Must Have).

  • 'Defrost' OR 'Reheat'

  • 'Defrost' AND 'Reheat'

Pink Poppy Flowers
Pink Poppy Flowers

Lets users choose between automatic and manual modes based on their preferences (Under Must Have).

Pink Poppy Flowers
Pink Poppy Flowers

'i' icon provides more information to users so that they can make the right choice.

​

A button is enabled only when the microwave's settings are configured.

Pink Poppy Flowers

Lets users know their food's status ​(Under Should Have)

  • Time left

  • Configured settings

Pink Poppy Flowers
Pink Poppy Flowers

Only one button is enabled based on the action users can take

  • If the microwave is running, users can only tap 'STOP / Clear'

  • If the microwave is not running, users can only tap 'START'

 

If the microwave is not running, users can also tap 'Edit' to change the microwave's settings.

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Pink Poppy Flowers

Lets users receive a notification when their food is ready (Under Should Have).

Pink Poppy Flowers
Next Steps

Given the tight, three-day timeline, I was able to deliver a first-pass design for the IoT Kitchen Assistant. Assuming I now have enough information about Company X's product strategy—and using the existing design as a baseline—I plan to carry out Usability Testing to assess usability and task completion. At post-launch, I'd gather additional feedback through in-app prompts and Apple App Store / Google Play Store reviews. These insights are to be shared with stakeholders to re-assess the app's priorities and guide design updates for future releases.

Try it out!

See Figma

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