portfolio

lau.com

Cupcake App

DIETARY RESTRICTION

Inclusive cupcake delivery mobile app for people with lactose/gluten/sugar intolerancy

lau.com

portfolio

Project Info

Role: UX Designer and Researcher

Timeline: 6 months (duration of the course)

Platform: Mobile Application

Tools: Figma for prototypes, Power Point and templates given during course

*This project was developed during Google UX Design Coursera Certification!

Context

This project was developed as part of the Google UX Design Certificate (Coursera) and focuses on designing a mobile app for cupcake delivery tailored to people with dietary restrictions.

While food delivery apps are widely used, users with restrictions such as lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, allergies, or dietary preferences often face difficulties finding safe dessert options. Information about ingredients and allergens is frequently unclear, hidden, or inconsistent, which can lead to frustration and lack of trust.

As a lactose intolerant myself, the goal of this project was to design an inclusive and user-centered delivery experience that prioritizes transparency, accessibility, and confidence for users with specific dietary needs.

Success Criteria

The success of this project was defined by the following criteria:

Users can easily identify cupcakes that meet their dietary restrictions through clear filters and labels.
Ingredient and allergen information is visible, easy to understand, and accessible throughout the experience.
The app flow feels simple, intuitive, and trustworthy, reducing anxiety during decision-making.
The design follows accessibility and inclusive design principles, ensuring usability for a diverse range of users.

The Problem

Users with dietary restrictions often struggle to order desserts through traditional delivery apps. These platforms are usually designed for a general audience and do not adequately support users who need clear, reliable information about ingredients, allergens, and preparation methods.

As a result, users may spend excessive time checking product details, feel uncertain about the safety of their choices, or avoid ordering desserts altogether. This lack of clarity negatively impacts user confidence and limits access to enjoyable food experiences.

Slide 16_9 - 1 1_edited_edited_edited.png

My Role

I designed this project independently as part of the Google UX Design Certificate. I was responsible for the entire design process, from defining the problem and developing personas to creating wireframes and the final prototype.

Defining the product concept and scope
Conducting user research and creating personas
Mapping user needs and scenarios
Designing wireframes and user flows
Creating the hi-fi and lo-fi mobile prototypes

Users & Scenarios

Three primary user profiles were identified as personas through research. Although they differ in age and context, they share a need for safe, transparent, and accessible dessert delivery.

Alice

9-year-old lactose-intolerant child who loves cupcakes but depends on adults to access them. Since she cannot go out alone, delivery becomes her only way of enjoying sweets.

For Alice (and her mother), trust and clarity are essential. Dairy-free options must be unmistakably labeled, easy to identify, and safe. The experience must also be simple enough for a young user to navigate with minimal friction.

Matteo

20-year-old university student and programmer who lives alone and follows a gluten-free diet. Cupcakes represent emotional comfort and nostalgia from his childhood.

With a demanding routine, Matteo values efficiency. He wants to find safe gluten-free options without analyzing complex ingredient lists. Convenience and emotional connection are key factors in his experience.

Evelyn

Evelyn is a 72-year-old pre-diabetic retiree with reduced mobility. Although she does not have food allergies, she needs balanced, low-sugar options that align with her health condition.

Accessibility, autonomy, and safety are fundamental. The interface must be readable, intuitive, and supportive of informed choices without overwhelming her.

Key Insights

There are some shared needs across these users...

• Clear and trustworthy dietary information (ingredients, allergens, sugar levels)
• Easy filtering based on dietary restrictions (lactose-free, gluten-free, low sugar)
• Simple and intuitive navigation for users of different ages and abilities
• A trustworthy experience that reduces uncertainty before ordering
• Convenient delivery that removes the need to visit physical stores

Key Design Decisions

Based on the personas (Alice, Matteo, and Evelyn) and the app's objective, some design decisions appear naturally.

01. Dietary Restriction Filters

Problem:
Users often need to manually review ingredient lists to determine whether a product is safe, slowing down the browsing experience and creating uncertainty.

Solution:
The app introduces dietary restriction filters at the beginning of the browsing experience, allowing users to immediately narrow down products that meet their needs.

Impact:
Users can quickly discover safe cupcake options without repeatedly checking ingredient details, making the browsing process faster and more reliable.

03. Simple and Accessible Interface

Problem:
Users with different levels of digital familiarity may struggle with complex interfaces, particularly older users who benefit from clearer navigation and readable layouts.

Solution:
The interface prioritizes simplicity, using clear visual hierarchy, readable typography, and simple navigation structure to support users of different ages and abilities.

Impact:
The app becomes easier to navigate and more inclusive, allowing users to browse and order cupcakes confidently and independently.

02. Clear Dietary Labels

Problem:
In many food delivery platforms, allergen and dietary information is hidden within long product descriptions, making it difficult for users to quickly evaluate the items.

Solution:
The design highlights dietary labels directly on product cards and product detail pages, ensuring that key information such as allergens or sugar levels is visible.

Impact:
Users can assess product suitability at a glance, increasing trust in the platform and reducing the risk of selecting unsuitable options.

04. Streamlined Checkout Experience

Problem:
Busy users often want to complete food orders quickly, but overly complex checkout flows can create unnecessary problems and increase the likelihood of abandonment.

Solution:
The checkout process was simplified to minimize steps and present clear confirmation screens, allowing users to complete their orders with minimal effort.

Impact:
Users can place orders quickly and confidently, improving overall satisfaction and reducing friction during the purchasing process.

The Process

This user flow illustrates the core journey of the app, from discovering cupcakes to completing an order. The flow highlights two key moments in the experience: filtering products based on dietary restrictions and verifying ingredient safety before purchase.

Cupcake app user flow (1)_edited_edited.

Wireframes

Early wireframes were used to define the structure of the experience and prioritize key interactions such as filtering and product evaluation.

Prototypes

The final prototype brings together the key design decisions. Users can explore cupcakes based on their dietary needs, review ingredients with confidence, and complete their orders through a simple and intuitive flow.

The Figma File

Click on the button below to access the Figma file of this project and explore the full interactive prototype.

Go to Figma ── .✦

Constraints & Challenges

Limited user feedbacks

As this project was developed within a course environment, access to real users for usability testing was limited. This meant that some design decisions were based on my own experience and secondary research rather than direct validation.

Multiple dietary restrictions

Supporting different dietary needs introduced complexity in both navigation and product customization. Ensuring clarity without overwhelming the user required simplifying choices and prioritizing safe defaults.

Scope and time limitations

The project was developed within a limited timeframe, which influenced the level of exploration and iteration possible, particularly in areas such as advanced personalization and real-time validation features.

Outcomes

Users can quickly identify safe products through clear dietary filters and labels.

Experience reduces uncertainty by prioritizing ingredient transparency at key decision points.

The interface supports a wide range of users, from children to older adults, through accessible and simple navigation.

Customization flow ensures that all topping options are compatible with the user’s dietary restrictions.

The end-to-end journey, from discovery to checkout, is streamlined to minimize friction and improve usability.

What I learned...

Learnings

Small UX decisions, such as labeling and information hierarchy, have a significant impact on user confidence.

Designing for dietary restrictions goes beyond filtering, it requires building trust through clear and visible info.

Simplicity is essential when designing for a wide range of users, especially when balancing different needs.

Email

Linkedin

Resume

lauhundcontato@gmail.com

Laura Hundzinski da Rocha

Download PDF file

Email

This case study highlights selected decisions and reconstructed examples. I’d be happy to walk through the full context, trade-offs, and iterations in an interview..png

Want to know more ?

This case study highlights selected decisions and reconstructed examples.
I’d be happy to walk through the full context, trade-offs, and iterations in an interview.