I'm a creative strategist with a passion for exploring culturally relevant topics and a keen eye for the latest trends.
Final Project
FlavorWander
Taste the World Stories, Embrace Lives
This service system partners with local restaurants to facilitate cultural exchange, using local food and stories to bridge cultural gaps and aim to foster a positive attitude towards exploring diverse cultures without bias.
Background & Problem
The food tourism consumer market is experiencing rapid growth, with destination dining and culinary experiences gaining increasing prominence in the minds of travelers. While prospective visitors express a strong inclination to indulge in local food and beverages, the reality is that fewer than half of them actually do so frequently during their visits. For tourists seeking to bridge cultural boundaries while discovering culinary similarities during their journeys, establishing trust in unfamiliar local cuisines can be a challenge. When confronted with unfamiliar dishes that they struggle to embrace within the local culture, their motivation to explore new culinary horizons may wane. In certain cases, some individuals may even exclusively dine at McDonald’s for the entire duration of their trip, potentially leading to an unsatisfactory travel experience and a significant expenditure of both time and money.
Insights
UX Vision Statement
“I believe there is an opportunity to create a service system tailored to cultural curiosity travelers, aimed at fostering trust in the local food culture that would offer a more immersive culinary experience by strengthening their understanding of the cultural context behind the local cuisine.”
Design Outcome
These pages feature a compilation of foods and their local popularity timelines. For instance, consider the example of afternoon tea. Each entry includes a concise history of its ascent to popularity, local customs associated with its consumption, and a brief instructional video demonstrating the ritual. For a deeper dive into the culinary and cultural context, explore more detailed information.
The app seamlessly connects local food and stories to a network of recommended restaurants. On the homepage, you’ll find a diverse selection of restaurants from various countries. When exploring food stories, discover the eateries serving the dishes you’re interested in. And, on the food map, locate nearby restaurants for an immersive local food experience.
These pages offer restaurant online booking, featuring essential details such as restaurant introductions and available appointment schedules.
Ecosystem Map
This map illustrates the business-to-consumer service model, where local restaurants partner with us to offer their food through the app. The business management team establishes collaborations with potential franchise partners. Designers work on the app’s structure and interface, while content creators, including historians and food anthropologists, craft articles and interactive historical narratives. Food taste testers assess partner restaurants for quality, and financial support comes from sponsors. Educational institutions ensure historical accuracy, technology partners provide technical support, and the tourist board and media handle publicity. Local health inspectors and government agencies provide support and regulatory approvals.
Value Perspective
Several valuable impacts that this service can have on both individuals and society.
At the individual level, this service enhances travel satisfaction, fosters a positive attitude toward new experiences, promotes knowledge acquisition, encourages respect for local cuisine, and reduces food waste. It also drives exposure and revenue for local restaurants.
On the societal level, it stimulates local business innovation and diversification, contributing to the local economy. In terms of ecology, it helps mitigate carbon emissions from food transportation and safeguards local ecosystems. On a cultural and societal aspect, it supports the sustainable development of local cultures, heritage preservation, reduces cultural bias, and promotes social inclusion. Additionally, it enhances the reputation of local food and culture, deepens understanding of cultural diversity, and bolsters cultural confidence among local communities.
Awards
- The Ford Motor Company Fund Smart Mobility Challenge 2022 Winner
Experience
Cambridge Consultants: April 2023 – June 2023
UX Design & Service Design – Collaborative team working on an EV charging project, designing a support system tailored to 20-60-year-old EV owners residing in Tier 2 cities across the UK, particularly those with family transportation needs, to plan long-distance charging routes and locate suitable charging points in real-time to alleviate charging anxiety, ensuring a more seamless in-car charging experiences.
Visionary Thinkers
Visionary Creators
Visionary Makers