Explored User Needs
Gathered insights from users and stakeholders to inform direction.
Created wireframes
Explored structure and interactions through low fidelity sketches.
Mapped User Flows
Outlined core tasks and journeys to shape the experience.
Designed the UI
Built a polished, consistent visual system across the product.
Finding recipes is easy, turning them into real meals is messy. Most people juggle screenshots, saved links, and scattered notes just to plan dinner.
Other tools either focus on entertainment, feel practical but joyless, or lack any personal flow. None truly support the journey from “That looks good” to “It’s on my plate.”
Zesty brings it all together in one calm, joyful space, helping you collect, organize, and actually cook the things you love.
Research
Started with curiosity
Talked to 5 home cooks to hear how they actually plan meals.
Peeked into the app store
Scanned user reviews for Whisk, Paprika, and Tasty to surface what works (and what doesn’t).
Mapped UX patterns
Compared structure and flow across recipe apps and planning tools.
What clicked
Capture recurring themes using mini recipe style notes or food inspired icons.
Key Insights
Cleared the clutter
People want their recipe space to feel organized, not overwhelming.
Hard to find later
Saving is easy. But finding that one recipe you loved? That’s where most tools fall short.
Planning, but loosely
Compared structure and flow across recipe apps and planning tools.
Flexible food identities
“I eat vegan… most of the time.” Preferences shift, so the system needs to adapt just as easily.
I shaped the wireframes directly from what I heard. Clutter became clean cards, saved recipes were easier to surface, and filters reflected how people actually eat. Each screen started with behavior, not just ideas, so the layout naturally fit into real routines.
The user flow balances discovery and action.
Recipes can be found through multiple paths and every entry point leads to key decisions: save, plan, or cook.
This structure supports casual browsing while keeping core actions always within reach.
Zesty was designed to support real life moments, from last minute meal decisions to weeknight scheduling. Every screen was desіgned to reduce friction and improve clarity, meeting users where they are instead of forcing them to adapt.
Throughout the process, I learned how subtle UX decisions, such as a simpler lаyout, a clearer filter and one less tаp can make a product feel helpful. Ιt reminded me that good design is less about features and more about how people feel when using them.
