portfolio

Context

This was a 3 week project for my minor Behavior Design called 'Consuminder': The assignment focuses on designing an intervention that supports more sustainable behavior by encouraging repair, making, or production.

Human behavior and psychology are central to the project. Rather than designing for a broad target group, the focus is on designing for one specific individual using the SUE Behavorial Design Method.

The human: Kimberley

This is Kimberley, the human we're focussing on this project, she's a 20 year old fashion student who has to commute at least 2 hours every day to school. Combined with long classes and travelling she doesn't have a lot of energy and time for food.

Her solution? Buying food on the go at the Albert Heijn To Go or other snackbars on the trainstation.

Behavioral statement

How can we help Kimberley, a student who often uses public transport (target group + specific moment), to avoid cravings, save money and make her morning calmer (job-to-be-done) by using a game to help her build a routine of preparing and taking food with her in advance (desired behaviour), so that it feels less like an effort (fear) and she stays because of rewards (comfort), instead of buying something 'on the go' for convenience (undesirable behaviour)?

SUE IF

Pains

Long commutes (2 hours~)
Difficulty prepping for food → little time and energy
Bread toppings expire quick → can't buy them at the end of the week
Talking to workers at store feels like a drag
No healthy food at the schoolcantine

Comforts

AH To Go feels hygienic and self scan is easy
One time use packaging is comfortable → no problems with bag space
At the station there will always be food → assurance

Gains

Buying at AH To Go is easy and quick
Diverse selection → every day something else
Satisfied feeling after getting food
Bringing own food brings a sense of pride

Anxieties

Mealprepping costs time and energy
Associates healthy meals with cold meals
Feels bad sometimes about the one time use packaging
Bringing a lunch box takes up space

Lo-Fi

During the interview we heard from Kimberley that she works well with streaks for example tiktok streaks. She mentioned that she likes cute pets and raising them together with a friend.

We got inspired by the concept of tamagotchi's: raising a cute pet and making sure it gets fed and taken care of. We decided on a shiba, because it was her favourite animal and it gets fed when the user logs their meal in the app.

Feedback after testing

The flow of logging a meal was confusing
Introduce short term goals instead of only long term
Let small items count for less points
Show more progression
Friends ranking system is not really motivating
Give more short term rewards

Hi-Fi — What is Buddy Prep?

Buddy Prep is a gamified meal prep app designed to encourage sustainable eating habits.

Inspired by Tamagotchi, users raise a virtual Shiba by logging their own home-prepared meals — earning points to unlock accessories and rewards along the way. Designed using the SUE Behavioral Design Method turning a daily chore into a fun and rewarding routine.

Onboarding

The onboarding flow is the first thing a user sees when they open Buddy Prep for the first time. It'll ask them a couple of questions: What motivates you? When do you want to receive notifications?

During the onboarding you'll also receive a quick explaination on how the app works and what you can find!

Logbook

To make your buddy happy, you need to feed him and how does that happen? By feeding yourself.

When you go to prep you can take a picture of your meal and select what type of meal it is: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks or a drink.

Afterwards you can find these back in your calendar on the account page and see your streak!

Store

After you log a meal into the app you'll receive points based on the meal. You can exchange these points for accessories or furniture for your buddy and his room.

You can't get all the items immediately yet... some items are locked and to unlock them you need to reach a certain level.

Away for a few days?

No problem! Send your buddy on holiday, so you can take a break when needed with holiday mode.