A Combination of Food & Friends
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A Combination of Food & Friends ✧
Munch Mates
Duration: 16 Weeks
Team Members: Jaida Ocampo, Hailey Thornhill, Aaron Hardy, Gavin Fortenberry
Problem:
A significant number of college students struggle with the dual challenges of limited budgets and the desire for social connections. The difficulty in finding affordable dining options and suitable meal companions can lead to a sense of isolation and financial strain. Munch Mates aims to bridge this gap by providing a platform that facilitates social connections over shared meals.
Solution:
The key solution for Munch Mates is to embrace a user-centric approach, prioritizing the needs and preferences of college students. By establishing a continuous feedback loop, adopting an iterative development strategy, and offering personalized experiences, the app can address challenges such as user adoption, competition, and privacy concerns. Building a sense of community within the app, forging strategic partnerships with local businesses, and employing cost-effective marketing strategies contribute to a user-focused ecosystem. The emphasis on transparency, trust, and adaptability ensures Munch Mates not only meets the evolving needs of its target audience but also cultivates a loyal and engaged user base, positioning the app for sustained success in the competitive food and socialization app landscape.
Research:
In order to gain a deeper understanding of the dining preferences and expectations of college students, we took a proactive approach by conducting surveys through Google Forms. The survey aimed to capture valuable insights into users' interactions with food-related apps, their decision-making processes for dining, and their interest in socializing over shared meals.
Survey Insights:
Frequency of Food App Usage:
The survey revealed that a significant number of respondents frequently use food-related apps, indicating a high level of digital engagement in the target demographic.
Valued Features in Food Apps:
Users expressed diverse preferences, with features like discounts, reviews, and event recommendations ranking prominently. This information guided the team in designing a multifaceted app that caters to a variety of user needs.
Current Usage of Food Apps:
Understanding the apps currently used by the target audience provided insights into user expectations and the competition landscape, helping Munch Mates position itself effectively in the market.
Decision-Making for Dining:
By analyzing responses to the question on how users decide where to eat, the team gained a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing dining choices. This data informed the development of features to facilitate decision-making for users.
Value of Discovering Unique Food Experiences:
The survey underscored the importance of discovering new and unique food experiences close to campus, emphasizing the need for an app that goes beyond routine dining suggestions.
Interest in Socializing through the App:
The survey revealed a strong interest among respondents in using the app for socializing and connecting with other students who share their passion for food. This insight formed the core of Munch Mates' value proposition.
Privacy and Security Concerns:
Addressing users' concerns about privacy and security in interactions with other users became a key consideration in the app's development, ensuring a safe and trustworthy platform.
Culinary Preferences:
User preferences for specific types of cuisine and their curiosity about trying foods from different cultures influenced the app's content curation, ensuring a diverse and appealing range of food options.
Interest in Discounts and Student Offers:
The survey highlighted the importance of budget-friendly options and discounts in influencing users' choices, shaping the app's strategy in partnering with local establishments to offer exclusive deals.
Openness to Meeting New People:
Users' openness to meeting new people on the app for shared meals or food-related events was a crucial insight, reinforcing the social aspect of Munch Mates.
App Wireframes
Case Scenario
Credit: Jaida Ocampo
Voiceover: Miriam Lopez
Challenges:
One significant challenge for Munch Mates was the limited response to the surveys, making the depth of insights desired for user preferences and behaviors. Convincing individuals to actively engage in surveys proved challenging, impacting the app's ability to fully understand the dining and socialization needs of college students.
Learnings:
By integrating survey findings, Munch Mates not only validated its assumptions about user preferences but also gained valuable insights that directly influenced the app's development, features, and overall strategy. This user-centric approach positions Munch Mates as a tailored solution to the specific needs and desires of its target audience—college students seeking both budget-friendly dining options and meaningful social connections. In addition to the insights gained from survey data, the Munch Mates project provided valuable personal learnings for the team members. Coordinating the survey process within the group project required effective time management skills to ensure deadlines were met and tasks were completed efficiently. Collaborating with team members and presenting survey findings involved clear and concise communication to ensure everyone was on the same page and ideas were effectively conveyed. Addressing challenges such as limited survey responses required creative problem-solving skills to brainstorm alternative approaches and adapt strategies accordingly. Adapting to unexpected challenges and changes in project direction helped team members develop flexibility and resilience in navigating project complexities. Working collaboratively on a group project provided opportunities to enhance teamwork skills, including active listening, conflict resolution, and leveraging each member's strengths to achieve common goals. Overall, the Munch Mates project not only provided valuable insights into user preferences and behaviors but also facilitated personal growth and development among team members through practical application of key skills such as time management, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, flexibility, and teamwork.
Role:
Survey Coordinator
Responsible for Planning and executing the survey process within the group project
Developing survey questions, collecting and analyzing data & presenting the findings to the group
Project Overview:
Munch Mates is a mobile application designed to enhance the dining experiences of college students by connecting them with like-minded peers for affordable and enjoyable meals. The app aims to address the common challenges faced by students in finding budget-friendly dining options and compatible meal companions within their local community.