The Baker Baking Application UX/UI

A user-centred baking app designed to help users discover, share, and create recipes with ease. The project focuses on usability, intuitive navigation, and cohesive branding across mobile and desktop prototypes, refined through user testing and iterative design improvements.

Overview

Project Brief

Key Objectives

Design Recommendation

UI Design and Branding

Key Screens

  • To design a baking application that supports both novice and expert bakers.

  • To create an intuitive, visually appealing interface that enhances user experience.

  • To establish a cohesive brand identity that reflects creativity and warmth.

  • To conduct usability testing to identify and resolve user pain points.

  • To apply design heuristics to improve navigation, accessibility, and engagement.

Reflection

Takeaways

This project focuses on the design and development of a baking application that helps users explore, share, and create baking content easily. The app was designed to serve both beginners and experienced bakers by providing access to step-by-step recipes, video tutorials, and a supportive baking community. It aims to make baking accessible, enjoyable, and collaborative, offering users a platform to express creativity through food while connecting with others who share the same passion.

The brief required designing an interactive digital platform that demonstrates strong usability, consistent branding, and user-centred design principles. My chosen concept was a baking app that simplifies recipe discovery, content creation, and community sharing. Users can log in, browse content, upload their own recipes or baking videos, and interact with others through shared stories. The project involved developing wireframes, high-fidelity prototypes, and user testing to refine the design and enhance overall usability.

Problem Statement

Research Goals

Primary Research

User Personas

Many baking enthusiasts struggle to find reliable, easy-to-follow recipes or a space to share their creations in a supportive environment. Existing baking apps often feel cluttered, lack community features, or fail to provide clear task flows. The challenge was to create a user-friendly platform that balances functionality and aesthetics, allowing users to navigate effortlessly while engaging with content in an enjoyable way.

1. Understand user behaviours, motivations, and frustrations when using baking or recipe apps.

2. Identify usability patterns that make content browsing and uploading efficient.

3. Apply interaction design principles to create a seamless experience across mobile and desktop platforms.

4. Test prototype performance through timed tasks and qualitative feedback.

Primary research included user testing sessions and usability analysis. Participants were asked to complete specific tasks such as signing up, browsing recipes, uploading content, and sharing stories on both desktop and mobile prototypes created in Adobe XD. Time-to-task completion data was collected and analysed through line graphs to identify usability trends. The results showed consistent task performance across users, with some challenges noted in the Upload Content and Create Story sections. Post-test interviews provided valuable insights into areas for refinement, such as clearer navigation and progress indicators.

  • Amateur Bakers: Individuals new to baking who need guidance and step-by-step tutorials to learn and build confidence.

  • Experienced Bakers/Creators: Skilled users who enjoy sharing their recipes, videos, and creative baking ideas with a wider audience.

User testing revealed opportunities for improvement:

  • Introduce a progress bar during video uploads and story creation to show progress and reduce uncertainty.

  • Separate the “Upload Content” and “Create Story” sections to make navigation more intuitive and tasks easier to distinguish.

  • Maintain consistent visual design and iconography to reduce cognitive load.

These changes were implemented in the revised prototype, improving clarity, navigation, and user satisfaction.

The app’s visual identity reflects warmth, creativity, and approachability, mirroring the joy of baking.

  • Logo: A hand-drawn logo combining a loaf of bread and a chef’s head, symbolising passion and personality in baking.

  • Colour Palette: Soft peach (#f7caca), beige (#fff4db), and coral (#e8635f) evoke comfort and friendliness.

  • Typography: Clean sans-serif fonts ensure readability and modern appeal.

  • Icons: Simple, recognisable symbols (camera for upload, pencil for edit) provide intuitive navigation.

  • Layout: A grid-based structure ensures balance and clarity, guiding users smoothly through tasks.

The design was developed using Adobe XD for prototyping and Illustrator and Photoshop for visual refinement.

This project was a valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of user experience design, usability testing, and interaction design principles. Designing both mobile and desktop versions challenged me to maintain consistency across devices while adapting layouts for different contexts. The feedback-driven refinements, such as adding progress indicators and reorganising features, highlighted the importance of iterative design. The process also strengthened my technical proficiency in Adobe XD and my ability to interpret usability data to inform design improvements.

  • Gained practical experience in UX research, testing, and prototyping.

  • Learned to apply Nielsen’s usability heuristics and Norman’s affordance principles effectively.

  • Understood the importance of user feedback in refining interactive design.

  • Improved my skills in visual design, typography, and brand cohesion.

  • Developed a stronger appreciation for the connection between usability, aesthetics, and user satisfaction.