SafePlate: Allergen-Friendly Restaurant Finder
Helping users with food allergies find safe dining options through clear filtering and accessible design.
Role
UI/UX Designer
Timeline
June - August 2024
Team
Group project at Coded By Kids
Tools
Figma, Miro, Google Forms
Overview
SafePlate is a mobile app designed to help people with food allergies easily find restaurants that accommodate their dietary restrictions. Through user research and iterative design, I created an intuitive filtering system that prioritizes safety and trust.
The Challenge
People with food allergies struggle to find reliable restaurant information and often feel anxious about dining out. Existing apps lack comprehensive allergen filtering and don't address trust concerns around food safety.
Research & Discovery
User Interviews
I conducted interviews with 8 people who have food allergies to understand their pain points:
- ~75% feel anxious when trying new restaurants
- ~60% have had negative experiences with incorrect allergen information
- ~90% rely on word-of-mouth recommendations from others with allergies
Key Insights
Users need more than just a list of restaurants—they need confidence that their safety concerns are understood and addressed. They want clear, verified allergen information and the ability to see other users' experiences.
Design Process
Wireframes & User Flow
I started with low-fidelity wireframes to map out the core user journey: search → filter → review restaurant details → save or navigate. The goal was to minimize clicks while maximizing relevant information.
Design System
I established a warm, trustworthy color palette and clear typography hierarchy. Accessibility was a priority—all text meets WCAG AA standards, and interactive elements have clear focus states.
The Solution
Key Features
- Smart Allergen Filtering: Multi-select filters for common allergens (nuts, dairy, gluten, shellfish, etc.) with the ability to save custom profiles
- Safety Scores: Restaurants display verified allergen information with user ratings on how well they handle allergies
- Community Reviews: Users can share their experiences and flag any safety concerns
- Clear Navigation: Simplified menu structure with prominent CTAs for filtering and viewing restaurant details
Results & Takeaways
During usability testing with 6 participants:
- 100% task completion rate for finding and filtering restaurants
- Average time to filter reduced from 2min → 30 seconds
- High satisfaction scores (4.8/5) for clarity and trustworthiness
What I Learned
This project reinforced the importance of designing for trust and safety, especially in health-related contexts. Small details—like showing verified badges and community feedback—made a huge difference in user confidence. I also learned to prioritize accessibility from the start, not as an afterthought.