Tea Finder
Tea Finder
Tea Finder
It provides search, educational, and e-commerce services for all tea lovers.
It provides search, educational, and e-commerce services for all tea lovers.
It provides search, educational, and e-commerce services for all tea lovers.
Role
Role
Role
UX Researcher
UX UI Designer
UX Researcher
UX UI Designer
UX Researcher
UX UI Designer
Tools
Figma | Notions
Otter | Pinterest
Timeline
Jan 2024 - April 2024
Devices
IOS APP
Tools
Tools
Figma | Notions
Otter | Pinterest
Figma | Notions
Otter | Pinterest
Timeline
Timeline
Jan 2024 - April 2024
Jan 2024 - April 2024
Devices
Devices
IOS APP
IOS APP
Overview
Overview
An innovative tool tailored for the tea market
An innovative tool tailored for the tea market
An innovative tool tailored for the tea market
What is the challenge
What is the challenge
I began drinking tea after learning about its many supposed health benefits. However, as a newcomer to the tea
scene, I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options. I had no clue where to start, how to pick the right
one, or which tea would meet my expectations. At first, I thought I was the only one feeling this way, unsure if
anyone else was in the same boat.
So, I reached out to some fellow tea enthusiasts and, it turns out, they all felt the same. Selecting the ideal tea products from numerous brands to meet a user's specific drinking preferences can be challenging, due to the significant gap in consumer knowledge about the benefits and varieties of functional teas.
This barrier will cause consumers to feel confused in the selection process, indicating a potential need to
simplify the process.
I began drinking tea after learning about its many supposed health benefits. However, as a newcomer to the tea scene, I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options. I had no clue where to start, how to pick the right one, or which tea would meet my expectations. At first, I thought I was the only one feeling this way, unsure if anyone else was in the same boat.
So, I reached out to some fellow tea enthusiasts and, it turns out, they all felt the same. Selecting the ideal tea products from numerous brands to meet a user's specific drinking preferences can be challenging, due to the significant gap in consumer knowledge about the benefits and varieties of functional teas.
This barrier will cause consumers to feel confused in the selection process, indicating a potential need to
simplify the process.
I began drinking tea after learning about its many supposed health benefits. However, as a newcomer to the tea scene, I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options. I had no clue where to start, how to pick the right one, or which tea would meet my expectations. At first, I thought I was the only one feeling this way, unsure if anyone else was in the same boat.
So, I reached out to some fellow tea enthusiasts and, it turns out, they all felt the same. Selecting the ideal tea products from numerous brands to meet a user's specific drinking preferences can be challenging, due to the significant gap in consumer knowledge about the benefits and varieties of functional teas.
This barrier will cause consumers to feel confused in the selection process, indicating a potential need to simplify the process.
What is the goal
What is the goal
Design a digital solution that can help tea lovers simplify the herbal tea-selection process and help them find the perfect tea to meet their drinking objectives.
Design a digital solution that can help tea lovers simplify the herbal tea-selection process and help them find the perfect tea to meet their drinking objectives.
Design a digital solution that can help tea lovers simplify the herbal tea-selection process and help them find the perfect tea to meet their drinking objectives.
What is the result
What is the result
After a 10-week development, I got the opportunity to present the 'TeaMate' concept and prototype on
demo day. It was an incredible experience as I received extensive feedback from attendees.
People are interested in the app as there appears to be no similar digital product currently in the tea market.
The tea drinkers are keen to see it go live and be the user.
My project became a foundation concept for a start-up brand called PlanTea.
After a 10-week development, I got the opportunity to present the 'TeaMate' concept and prototype on demo day. It was an incredible experience as I received extensive feedback from attendees.
People are interested in the app as there appears to be no similar digital product currently in the tea market. The tea drinkers are keen to see it go live and be the user.
My project became a foundation concept for a start-up brand called PlanTea.
After a 10-week development, I got the opportunity to present the 'TeaMate' concept and prototype on demo day. It was an incredible experience as I received extensive feedback from attendees.
People are interested in the app as there appears to be no similar digital product currently in the tea market. The tea drinkers are keen to see it go live and be the user.
My project became a foundation concept for a start-up brand called PlanTea.
Design Process
Design Process
Beginning with current market research
Beginning with current market research
Beginning with current market research
I began researching consumer behaviour and current tea consumption trends. According to recent studies, more people are increasingly focusing on their health and wellness. Meanwhile, there is a growing demand for organic and herbal teas, which are perceived to offer health benefits such as boosting the immune system and reducing stress.
I began researching consumer behaviour and current tea consumption trends. According to recent studies, more people are increasingly focusing on their health and wellness. Meanwhile, there is a growing demand for organic and herbal teas, which are perceived to offer health benefits such as boosting the immune system and reducing stress.
31 %
31 %
Consumers were purchasing
more items tailored for their health.
Consumers were purchasing
more items tailored for their health.
Consumers were purchasing
more items tailored for their health.
55 %
55 %
Consumers in the UK are currently seeking food and drinks products with health benefits.
Consumers in the UK are currently seeking food and drinks products with health benefits.
Consumers in the UK are currently seeking food and drinks products with health benefits.
47 %
47 %
An increasing proportion of the population is shifting towards other warm drinks to herbal infusions.
An increasing proportion of the population is shifting towards other warm drinks to herbal infusions.
An increasing proportion of the population is shifting towards other warm drinks to herbal infusions.
1022
The total number of tea
companies in the UK.
$2.45 bn
The herbal beverages market is expected to reach this amount by 2028.
34 %
People have been taking positive steps to improve their health by eating healthier.
1,022
The total number of tea
companies in the UK.
The total number of tea
companies in the UK.
$2.45 bn
The herbal beverages market is expected to reach this amount by 2028.
The herbal beverages market is expected to reach this amount by 2028.
34 %
People have been taking positive steps to improve their health by eating healthier.
People have been taking positive steps to improve their health by eating healthier.
Talking with potential users
Talking with potential users
To better understand user needs and confirm the challenge dose exist, I interviewed six individuals who loves to drink tea from different culture background but all lived in the UK. My aim is to gather qualitative feedback on the obstacles shoppers face when selecting tea products and to assess their awareness of tea's health benefits.
To better understand user needs and confirm the challenge dose exist, I interviewed six individuals who loves to drink tea from different culture background but all lived in the UK. My aim is to gather qualitative feedback on the obstacles shoppers face when selecting tea products and to assess their awareness of tea's health benefits.
To better understand user needs and confirm the challenge dose exist, I interviewed six individuals who loves to drink tea from different culture background but all lived in the UK. My aim is to gather qualitative feedback on the obstacles shoppers face when selecting tea products and to assess their awareness of tea's health benefits.
Example questions that I ask them
Example questions that I ask them
How do you decide which tea to try when looking for specific health benefits?
How do you decide which tea to try when looking for specific health benefits?
How do you decide which tea to try when looking for specific health benefits?
Can you describe the process you go through when selecting teas or drinks? What factors do you consider most important?
Can you describe the process you go through when selecting teas or drinks? What factors do you consider most important?
Can you describe the process you go through when selecting teas or drinks? What factors do you consider most important?
After the interviews, at least 5 participants confirmed that they find selecting tea products challenging due to factors like the variety of brands and products in the market, as well as a lack of knowledge about which tea suits their mood or the ingredients involved. Based on this information, I organised my findings using affinity mapping.
After the interviews, at least 5 participants confirmed that they find selecting tea products challenging due to factors like the variety of brands and products in the market, as well as a lack of knowledge about which tea suits their mood or the ingredients involved. Based on this information, I organised my findings using affinity mapping.
After the interviews, at least 5 participants confirmed that they find selecting tea products challenging due to factors like the variety of brands and products in the market, as well as a lack of knowledge about which tea suits their mood or the ingredients involved. Based on this information, I organised my findings using affinity mapping.
Key findings
Key findings
Confusion in choose the right tea
Confusion in choose the right tea
Confusion in choose the right tea
The overwhelming variety of tea options makes it challenge to find a tea that suits personal preferences.
The overwhelming variety of tea options makes it challenge to find a tea that suits personal preferences.
The overwhelming variety of tea options makes it challenge to find a tea that suits personal preferences.
Lack of knowledge about tea’s benefit
Lack of knowledge about tea’s benefit
Lack of knowledge about tea’s benefit
Most tea consumers feel a lack of guidance or information when selecting specific benefits from the tea, it is difficult to explore further and inefficiently.
Most tea consumers feel a lack of guidance or information when selecting specific benefits from the tea, it is difficult to explore further and inefficiently.
Most tea consumers feel a lack of guidance or information when selecting specific benefits from the tea, it is difficult to explore further and inefficiently.
Health-Conscious choice
Health-Conscious choice
Health-Conscious choice
Consumers have become more health-conscious and pay more attention to healthier food and drinks. Most of them are looking for sugar-free products to take care of themselves.
Consumers have become more health-conscious and pay more attention to healthier food and drinks. Most of them are looking for sugar-free products to take care of themselves.
Consumers have become more health-conscious and pay more attention to healthier food and drinks. Most of them are looking for sugar-free products to take care of themselves.
User persona
User persona
User persona
Based on what I find, I start to picture who will be the user and what will they look like? How might we assist them in navigating the vast selection of tea products more effectively, ensuring they can easily find teas that align with their preferences ? (such as wellness, dietary and gifting needs)
Based on what I find, I start to picture who will be the user and what will they look like? How might we assist them in navigating the vast selection of tea products more effectively, ensuring they can easily find teas that align with their preferences ? (such as wellness, dietary and gifting needs)
Based on what I find, I start to picture who will be the user and what will they look like? How might we assist them in navigating the vast selection of tea products more effectively, ensuring they can easily find teas that align with their preferences ? (such as wellness, dietary and gifting needs)
Olivia Bennett
Olivia Bennett
Olivia Bennett
Age: 32
Age: 32
Age: 32
Occupation: Communication Manager
Occupation: Communication Manager
Occupation: Communication Manager
"As personal experience during the last 3 years, I want to take more care of my health. Thus, I drink more health-oriented herbal tea to help me sleep and digest. However, it is difficult for me to explore further as I don't know other effects and benefits."
"As personal experience during the last 3 years, I want to take more care of my health. Thus, I drink more health-oriented herbal tea to help me sleep and digest. However, it is difficult for me to explore further as I don't know other effects and benefits."
"As personal experience during the last 3 years, I want to take more care of my health. Thus, I drink more health-oriented herbal tea to help me sleep and digest. However, it is difficult for me to explore further as I don't know other effects and benefits."
About
About
Olivia has shifted her focus towards health and wellness significantly after the pandemic. She’s particularly interested in organic and herbal teas, drawn to their natural benefits like immune support and stress reduction. However, Olivia finds herself overwhelmed by the variety of tea options available, struggling to choose products that align with her health-focused objectives. Most of time, she need to do her own research before explore further options.
Olivia has shifted her focus towards health and wellness significantly after the pandemic. She’s particularly interested in organic and herbal teas, drawn to their natural benefits like immune support and stress reduction. However, Olivia finds herself overwhelmed by the variety of tea options available, struggling to choose products that align with her health-focused objectives. Most of time, she need to do her own research before explore further options.
Olivia has shifted her focus towards health and wellness significantly after the pandemic. She’s particularly interested in organic and herbal teas, drawn to their natural benefits like immune support and stress reduction. However, Olivia finds herself overwhelmed by the variety of tea options available, struggling to choose products that align with her health-focused objectives. Most of time, she need to do her own research before explore further options.
Drinking habit: Coffee and tea, looking for sugar-free product.
Drinking habit: Coffee and tea, looking for sugar-free product.
Drinking habit: Coffee and tea, looking for sugar-free product.
Platforms: Instagram, Google, tea website.
Platforms: Instagram, Google, tea website.
Platforms: Instagram, Google, tea website.
Motivations / Goals
Motivations / Goals
Motivations / Goals
Desire to take better care of her health through natural means.
Wants to expand her understanding of the different types of herbal teas available and their specific health benefits. Find a more straightforward way to select the right herbal teas that align with her health goals.
Desire to take better care of her health through natural means.Wants to expand her understanding of the different types of herbal teas available and their specific health benefits. Find a more straightforward way to select the right herbal teas that align with her health goals.
Desire to take better care of her health through natural means.
Wants to expand her understanding of the different types of herbal teas available and their specific health benefits. Find a more straightforward way to select the right herbal teas that align with her health goals.
Frustrations
Frustrations
Frustrations
She finds challenging for her to decide which teas would best meet her health and wellness needs. She feels a lack of clear, accessible information about the specific benefits and effects of different herbal teas.
She finds challenging for her to decide which teas would best meet her health and wellness needs. She feels a lack of clear, accessible information about the specific benefits and effects of different herbal teas.
She finds challenging for her to decide which teas would best meet her health and wellness needs. She feels a lack of clear, accessible information about the specific benefits and effects of different herbal teas.
Behaviours
Behaviours
Behaviours
She is interested in exploring the benefits of various herbal teas to enhance her health. She bases her choices on the limited information she finds and personal recommendations from friends or social media influencers.
She is interested in exploring the benefits of various herbal teas to enhance her health. She bases her choices on the limited information she finds and personal recommendations from friends or social media influencers.
She is interested in exploring the benefits of various herbal teas to enhance her health. She bases her choices on the limited information she finds and personal recommendations from friends or social media influencers.
Experience Mapping
Experience Mapping
Experience Mapping
As I understand it, the opportunity often emerges at the lowest point in our experience mapping, indicating that the research phase is the optimal moment to devise solutions. However, the tea-buying process encompasses more than just research. Therefore, I believe the solution should also address the browsing phase before research and the selection phase after research. This approach will provide more comprehensive support and functionalities to the target user.
As I understand it, the opportunity often emerges at the lowest point in our experience mapping, indicating that the research phase is the optimal moment to devise solutions. However, the tea-buying process encompasses more than just research. Therefore, I believe the solution should also address the browsing phase before research and the selection phase after research. This approach will provide more comprehensive support and functionalities to the target user.
As I understand it, the opportunity often emerges at the lowest point in our experience mapping, indicating that the research phase is the optimal moment to devise solutions. However, the tea-buying process encompasses more than just research. Therefore, I believe the solution should also address the browsing phase before research and the selection phase after research. This approach will provide more comprehensive support and functionalities to the target user.
Task Flow
Task Flow
Primary - Select the tea product that meets their objectives
Primary - Select the tea product that meets their objectives
Secondary - Explore tea knowledge
Secondary - Explore tea knowledge
Wireframe
Wireframe
During the wireframe stage, I believed it was crucial to explore extensively to find the best solution that would deliver a better user experience. Therefore, I conducted two rounds of user testing after each iteration.
Here I’ll showcase some main screens from the initial wireframe that received the most feedback from users and how I made the change.
During the wireframe stage, I believed it was crucial to explore extensively to find the best solution that would deliver a better user experience. Therefore, I conducted two rounds of user testing after each iteration.
Here I’ll showcase some main screens from the initial wireframe that received the most feedback from users and how I made the change.
V1
V1
V2
V2
Key changing:
Progress Indicator: Introduced a progress bar to display the number of questions remaining, enhancing clarity and user engagement.
Improved Homescreen Layout and Copy: Refined the homescreen design and updated the copy to clarify the purpose of features like "Search All" and "Tea Library," addressing user confusion.
Save Functionality: Added a save feature, providing users with greater flexibility to bookmark products for later.
Cart Integration: Implemented a cart function to streamline the shopping process and improve efficiency.
Key changing:
Progress Indicator: Introduced a progress bar to display the number of questions remaining, enhancing clarity and user engagement.
Improved Homescreen Layout and Copy: Refined the homescreen design and updated the copy to clarify the purpose of features like "Search All" and "Tea Library," addressing user confusion.
Save Functionality: Added a save feature, providing users with greater flexibility to bookmark products for later.
Cart Integration: Implemented a cart function to streamline the shopping process and improve efficiency.
Solution prototype
Solution prototype
Presenting on Demo Day
Presenting on Demo Day
To achieve the ultimate goal of assisting users in finding the best tea to meet their drinking objectives, I have designed various features such as a Playful Quiz, Tea Library, Detailed Profile, and e-commerce functionality to approach diverse user needs. Whether they are in search of herbal tea to meet their health goals, a casual user seeking daily comfort tea, or someone looking for the perfect tea-related gift, TeaMate enables user to discover the best teas in just one minute.
To achieve the ultimate goal of assisting users in finding the best tea to meet their drinking objectives, I have designed various features such as a Playful Quiz, Tea Library, Detailed Profile, and e-commerce functionality to approach diverse user needs. Whether they are in search of herbal tea to meet their health goals, a casual user seeking daily comfort tea, or someone looking for the perfect tea-related gift, TeaMate enables user to discover the best teas in just one minute.
Takeaways
Takeaways
1) This was my first complete UX/UI design project. It started with defining the project’s challenges and deeply understanding these issues. I engaged with users, listening to their authentic voices, and gathered insights and requirements. The most striking realisation throughout this process was that UX/UI projects are never one-off tasks. By diving deeper and exploring we can continuously iterate the product to meet the user's needs.
2) Finding the target user for the usability testing is very helpful, we can take this opportunity to understand what our users in the market are looking for.
1) This was my first complete UX/UI design project. It started with defining the project’s challenges and deeply understanding these issues. I engaged with users, listening to their authentic voices, and gathered insights and requirements. The most striking realisation throughout this process was that UX/UI projects are never one-off tasks. By diving deeper and exploring we can continuously iterate the product to meet the user's needs.
2) Finding the target user for the usability testing is very helpful, we can take this opportunity to understand what our users in the market are looking for.
