This is one of the most interesting project I've worked on, Tell a story here are link each part of the project phase properlly like a good story will be, introduction - suspence - climax -. Make it engaging

Project Overview

The Yakoyo mobile application is a digital solution aimed at revolutionizing the way people, be it the locals, students, nine-to-fivers, and expatriates, enjoy indigenous (Nigerian) and international cuisine. "Yakoyo," is a popular name adopted by most food vendor in southwest Nigeria, a Yoruba term that translates to come in and get fed, encapsulates the essence of this project. The primary goal was to create a seamless, user-friendly platform that connects users with a wide range of indigenous food options/vendors, allowing them to explore, and savor the rich culinary heritage of Nigeria easily without the traditional chaotic way if buying food in Nigeria.

Project Context

Nigeria boasts a diverse and vibrant culinary landscape, with a myriad of indigenous dishes that vary by region and culture. Despite the popularity of these delicacies, there existed a gap in the market for a modern, convenient, and culturally sensitive food-ordering app tailored to the unique needs and preferences of the locals and foreigners.

My Design Process

In making this project, the design journey went through design thinking approach for systematically identifying the user needs in order to ideate the solution that given lasting value for the customer. 

Empathize

To start this project, there were series of meeting with the product owner and other stakeholders to understanding the problem we are trying to solve, gathering a deep understanding about user needs, their pain points and motivations. This brought us to a general conculsion that we needed to answer the questions:
Who are we building for i.e our Target Audience?
Why are we building this app?
What is the solution we are offering?
What makes us different from others i.e our Unique Selling Point?

The research aimed to comprehensively understand the diverse needs, preferences, and challenges faced by potential users in ordering indigenous Nigerian cuisine through a mix of interviews and surveys. The study included 10 in-depth interviews and a subsequent survey with a sample size of 50 participants across different Nigerian regions and demographics.

To best collect this data accurately, I encouraged the team to adopt both the qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, as it allows the users to describe exact pain points and narrow down problem areas, while conducting the research. Participants were selected through a combination of random sampling and targeted recruitment based on demographic diversity. Efforts were made to include participants from urban areas, rural regions, and different age groups. The stuctured interview with open ended questions were conducted in local settings, allowing participants to express their experiences comfortably and also enabled researchers to uncover deeper insights into cultural preferences and buying habits. Also, the survey was distributed digitally and in-person, ensuring a broad and diverse response pool, efforts were made to capture data from regions with varied access to technology, ensuring representation across socioeconomic backgrounds.

I spoke to different potential users and, guiding the conversations with these questions. I then created an affinity diagram with post-its to organize key ideas that came out of these conversations. 

Sample Interview Questions:

1. Demographic Questions:
   • What region of Nigeria are you originally from?
   • How frequently do you consume indigenous Nigerian food in a typical week?
   • Do you prefer ordering food for delivery or dining at local eateries/restaurants?
2. Behavioral Questions:
   • Can you walk me through the process you currently follow when buying indigenous Nigerian food?
   • What factors influence your decision when choosing a particular dish or restaurant?
   • How important is it for you to have a variety of dishes available on a food-ordering app?
3. Needs and Pain Points:
   • What challenges do you face when trying to find authentic Nigerian dishes through existing food-ordering platforms?
   • How significant is the cultural aspect when buying Nigerian cuisine? Are there specific cultural considerations that should be incorporated into an app's interface?
   • Can you share any frustrations or inconveniences you've encountered while ordering food, particularly related to payment methods or delivery times?

Key Research Findings:

This research, comprising interviews and a survey, provided rich insights into the nuanced needs, behaviors, and pain points of users in relation to buying indigenous Nigerian cuisine. These findings serve as a robust foundation for designing the Yakoyo app, ensuring it caters authentically to the diverse culinary preferences and cultural sensitivities of its users.

Define

The transition now moves from collecting insights during the research phase to the critical tasks of synthesis and definition. We aim to pinpoint the core problems and needs of our users, asking ourselves essential questions: What solution are we presenting? What sets us apart from others in the field?

Problem Statement

Difficulty to get a local food joint and limited options of indigenous dishes on already existing food app.

Target Audience

Our multifaceted target audience comprises:

1. Local Connoisseurs: Indigenous Nigerians, residing in various regions, who cherish the authenticity of their local dishes. Yakoyo aims to be their trusted companion in exploring and relishing their culinary roots.
2. Global Explorers: Lagos is becoming an international city with many expatriates and tourists visiting Nigeria, intrigued by its rich cultural diversity and cuisine. Yakoyo is their passport to an unforgettable gastronomic journey through Nigeria.
3. Busy Urban Dwellers: The bustling city life demands convenience without compromising on authenticity. Yakoyo caters to urban professionals and families who seek quick access to their favorite dishes without the constraints of time and location.

Affinity Mapping:

Using the notes from the user interviews, I created an affinity map to find. A few patterns emerged.

1. 1. Their experience ordering on food ordering apps
   2. Their current platform
   3. Attitudes
   4. Frustrations
   5. Interest

Empathy Mapping:

Utilizing the insights derived from the affinity mapping process, I formulated an empathy map to centralize and structure the patterns identified during the user interviews. This approach enhances the comprehension of the user, facilitating the subsequent phase of persona creation.

User Personas:

Yakoyo's journey unfolds through vibrant personas, defining a diverse tapestry of user needs, desires, and frustrations. Each persona, like a mosaic of behaviors and aspirations, weaves a unique thread into the fabric of the indigenous Nigerian cuisine experience. Meet Amina, David, Aduke, and Raj—emerging from essential patterns discovered in user interviews, refined through empathy mapping.

User Buying Journey:

User Journey Map for Amina - The Culinary Explorer:

User Journey Map for David - The Urban Professional:

User Journey Map for Adwoa - The Cultural Connoisseur:

User Journey Map for Raj - The Global Citizen:

Competitive Analysis

Define

Research is the compass that guides every successful design journey. In this pivotal phase, I embarked on a mission to uncover insights, empathize with users, and decode the intricacies of their experiences. However, raw data and observations are just the beginning; the true magic lies in transforming these findings into tangible, user-centric design solutions.

Unveiling User Insights

My journey began with an immersive exploration of user behaviors, needs, and pain points. Through a meticulous combination of user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, I gathered a wealth of data that served as the foundation for our design strategy. It was not merely about accumulating information but delving deep to understand the nuances of user interactions and motivations.

Crafting Personas: Bridging the Gap

With a trove of research findings at hand, I embarked on the critical task of crafting personas. These archetypes became the living embodiment of our users, encapsulating their goals, frustrations, and aspirations. Each persona became a guiding star, ensuring that our design decisions were anchored in the real needs of the people we aimed to serve.

Affinity Mapping: Connecting the Dots

To distill the complexity of our research, affinity mapping emerged as a transformative tool. It allowed me to organize, categorize, and visualize the patterns and themes that emerged from the vast sea of data. This process not only unveiled hidden connections but also provided a roadmap for the subsequent design phases, ensuring a focused and purposeful approach.

Empathy Mapping: Infusing Humanity

The transition from insights to solutions demanded a deep dive into the emotional landscape of our users. Crafting empathy maps became the bridge between understanding and action, allowing us to visualize the thoughts, feelings, and pain points of our users. This human-centric approach fueled the creation of designs that resonate on a visceral level, fostering a genuine connection between the product and its users.

In essence, the "Bringing the Research to Life" phase is the alchemical process that transforms abstract data into a vivid canvas of user experiences. It lays the groundwork for a design that is not just aesthetically pleasing but deeply meaningful, aligning with the authentic needs and desires of those who will interact with the Yakoyo.

Infomation Architecture

As the foundation of any user-centric design, Information Architecture (IA) serves as the unseen architect, shaping the framework upon which user experiences unfold. In this crucial phase, my focus transcends the visual allure, delving into the meticulous organization and structuring of information. It's a journey that unfolds like an intricate puzzle, where every decision is a calculated step towards creating an intuitive, cohesive, and delightful user journey. In this section, I unravel the thought processes and methodologies that underpin the creation of a seamless information landscape, ensuring users not only navigate effortlessly but also find meaningful connections within the digital realms we design.