LifeSync

LifeSync is a highly personalized user experience that seamlessly integrates individual health tracking data, to guide informed and sustainable food choices, catering to a wide spectrum of behaviors and needs. This design solution is specifically designed for the devices in the Apple ecosystem.

It is the outcome of my master's thesis titled "Designing Personalized User Experiences for Food Consumption: An Investigation into Digital Transformation,Nutritional Information Accessibility, and Health and Well-Being in Germany," written under the supervision of Prof. Ingrid Stahl at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt.

My Role

Used several UX design methods for UX research, concept, user flow, visual identity, UI design, and prototyping, including writing the master's thesis for my M.Sc in User Experience Design.

Supervisor

Prof. Ingrid Stahl
Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt

Background & Motivation

The evolution of food consumption from foraging to shopping for food in supermarkets inspired this study. Digitization can improve food quality, nutrition, health, and cultural dietary practices. With technology in a revolutionary phase, its combination with user experience design will help people choose better and decide easier.

My research is motivated by a desire to improve food shopping's efficiency and transparency for users in Germany.

Research Questions

UX Research Methodology

The user research included a literature review followed by several quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Some of the significant insights gathered from the literature review.

Results and insights from the Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research methods.

Affinity mapping led to the discovery of these insights, which were then organized into these themes.

Based on the thematic analysis, I defined these three archetypes with varied interests and complex behaviors.

Problem Statement

Navigating the complexity of food shopping is a significant problem, amplified by diverse personal preferences, health considerations, transparency of information, and socio-economic factors.  

The design challenge is to craft a highly personalized user experience that seamlessly integrates individual health tracking data, to guide informed and sustainable food choices, catering to a wide spectrum of behaviors and needs.

I used speculative design fiction to reimagine food consumption and shopping. Personalization was my goal. I imagined and designed solutions for near- and far-future scenarios.

My design solution is built on three emerging trends: the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) into device operating systems for hyper-personalized experiences, a shift towards wearable technology reducing reliance on mobile phones, and the incorporation of health data to deliver personalized digital experiences based on individual preferences and needs. I envision my designs within a world where these trends have already materialized, shaping our daily interactions.

My design used the Apple Health app. I made "LifeSync," a digital bento box of widgets. Widgets work on all Apple devices. These widgets provide hyper-personalized food shopping and consumption insights using Apple Health data. These widgets give users archetype-based diet advice.

Creating the information architecture and design systems that will ensure a consistent user experience across all LifeSync widgets.

A rating system to assist users in selecting appropriate products, as well as information cards for each item, were key components. These cards provide detailed information about the products, allowing users to make informed food choices that align with their personal health goals and dietary needs.

LifeSync allows users to set up and manage profiles, each with its own unique set of preferences and priorities. This means that users can create multiple profiles, each tailored to different dietary needs or health goals.

Search enables you to find products, supermarkets, and widgets to add to your profile. It even includes an AI-powered option for creating custom widgets simply by typing what you need.

MyList widget analyzes your digital supermarket bills, generates a regular grocery list, and even provides personalized product recommendations. These recommendations are based on your health data and other factors, such as seasonal changes.

MyTracker keeps you on budget, provides insights on your food consumption, and even shares sustainability data. This includes information on your food's journey and your sustainable purchasing habits

MyMarkts provides information about your most frequented supermarkets and the deals they offer, reducing the need for paper pamphlets and making deal-hunting more efficient and environmentally friendly.

SmartPantry uses refrigerator cameras and computer vision to give you insights into your food's health and expiration dates. An intelligent storage system, which is IoT-powered, keeps you informed in real time about the quantity and freshness of your food.

TapToScan is a feature designed for the Apple Watch. It allows users to tap on a product's info tag in the supermarket to get a rating for that food item. This feature is particularly useful when your hands are full, providing you with important information without needing to use your phone.

I also envisioned these experiences for a mixed reality (MR) context. Starting with a future where the Apple Vision Pro headsets are common, I projected forward to a time when MR glasses are as scaled-down and commonplace as our current reading glasses, seamlessly integrating these personalized food shopping and consumption experiences into everyday life.

Pick any product and check if its a good fit for you or not.

Pick any product and know whether you should avoid it.

If a product looks less suitable for you, it will also suggest you alternatives to shop for.

The Ingredient Map feature assists you in finding all the necessary products for a particular dish in the supermarket, streamlining your shopping experience and making cooking preparation easier.

Through speculative design fiction methods, I've also imagined personalised food consumption experiences into the distant future, envisioning how they could evolve and adapt in a world shaped by technological advancements and changing user needs