I'm thrilled to share my experience designing Ashirwad, a mobile application aimed at revolutionizing food donation.  As the lead UX/UI designer, I worked closely with a team of five for six months to create a user-friendly platform connecting food donors with NGOs.  Our goal was to simplify the donation process, improve transparency, and facilitate more efficient food distribution. We used Figma for design and prototyping, Google Analytics for monitoring, and conducted user research using surveys and interviews.

The problem we tackled was the inefficiency and lack of transparency in food donation.  Many surplus food sources didn't have easy ways to donate, and NGOs struggled with inconsistent food supply.  Donors often lacked visibility into where their donations went.  User research, including surveys and interviews with potential donors and NGO representatives, revealed a critical need for a streamlined, trustworthy platform.  The interviews illuminated anxieties surrounding food safety and the desire for real-time updates. Quantitatively, we found that 80% of respondents expressed interest in using a food donation app, and 70% highlighted the importance of transparent tracking of their donations.

Our main objectives were to create an intuitive app that increased food donations by 50%, improved the efficiency of food distribution, and boosted NGO participation by 40%. We also aimed for 90% positive user feedback and high user retention.  Key performance indicators (KPIs) included the number of successful food donations, average pickup time, NGO app usage, user ratings and retention.

User research involved interviews with potential users, including individuals, restaurants, and NGO representatives.  We learned about their existing donation methods, pain points, and desired features.  Surveys helped us understand user demographics, attitudes towards food donation, and technology preferences. Based on our research, we developed user personas representing different donor and NGO profiles.  Our competitive analysis showed existing solutions lacked real-time tracking and efficient logistics.

We used brainstorming sessions and sketching to generate ideas.  We explored different interface designs, focusing on simplicity and ease of use.  We prioritized features like real-time tracking, scheduling, and communication tools between donors and NGOs.   A crucial feature was the incorporation of a robust verification system to build trust and improve efficiency.  Feedback was gathered and iteratively incorporated through usability tests with various user groups.

We created wireframes to outline the app's structure and functionality before proceeding to high-fidelity prototypes using Figma.  These prototypes were tested with various user groups to gather feedback and refine the design. The visual design focused on a clean, modern aesthetic with a calming color scheme. Key design decisions emphasized simplicity and intuitiveness, with clear visual cues and minimal text.  Usability testing was conducted throughout the design process. Based on initial test results, we adjusted the placement of key features to enhance user navigation and experience.

One challenge was building trust. We addressed this by implementing a verification system for both donors and NGOs.  Another challenge was ensuring seamless logistics; we solved this with real-time matching and communication tools.  The diversity of our user base required a design that was accessible to everyone, regardless of their technological proficiency.  We addressed this by utilizing simple, intuitive interfaces with clear visual cues and minimizing the need for complex interactions.  We also provided multilingual support.

Ashirwad is now a fully functional app that is user friendly and efficient.  Post-launch metrics show a 65% increase in user participation within the first two weeks, with 90% of donors rating the donation process as simple and intuitive.  NGOs reported a 40% increase in food supplies and volunteers saw smoother coordination, with 85% of scheduled pickups completed successfully.  The real-time updates fostered trust and users appreciated impact stories, leading to high engagement and retention.

This project reinforced the importance of thorough user research and iterative design.  I learned the value of close collaboration and agile development methodologies in responding to user needs and solving logistical issues.  I would refine our initial onboarding process with more interactive tutorials, and increase the capacity of our logistics algorithms. My skills in user research, prototyping, and visual design were honed, and I discovered the importance of prioritizing user trust and communication in app development.

Ashirwad has demonstrably improved food donation and distribution.   Future plans include expanding to new regions, integrating with more NGOs, and adding features such as food waste prevention tips for donors and inventory management for NGOs. Ashirwad is not just an app; it’s a testament to the potential of technology to address real-world problems and foster a more compassionate society.

Connecting food donors with NGOs to combat food insecurity.  Improving efficiency and transparency in food donation.

Ashirwad: A Food Donation App Case Study

Easily lend, invest in mutual funds, and make secure payments

The problem at hand is the lack of user-friendly and versatile financial applications that can seamlessly accommodate both lending activities and mutual fund investments, thereby hindering individuals from efficiently managing their financial resources. Additionally, the absence of a platform that provides fast and secure online payment options and smooth fund transfers exacerbates the challenges people face when conducting various financial transactions.

The solution entails the development and implementation of a robust, all-in-one financial application, such as Lend Squad, designed to address these challenges. This application will empower users by offering a seamless and intuitive interface for lending and investing in mutual funds, while also ensuring the swiftness and security of online payments and fund transfers. Through Lend Squad, individuals can effectively manage their financial activities, enhancing their financial well-being and peace of mind.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Empathize In this stage, designers and problem-solvers seek to understand the problem from the user's perspective. This involves conducting interviews, surveys, and observations to gather insights into the needs, behaviors, and emotions of the people who are experiencing the problem. The goal is to develop a deep sense of empathy for the end-users.

Define Once a solid understanding of the problem and the users' needs is obtained, the next step is to define the problem statement. This involves synthesizing the information gathered in the empathy stage to identify the core issue that needs to be addressed. The problem statement should be specific and focused.

Ideate: In this stage, the design team generates a wide range of creative ideas and potential solutions. Brainstorming sessions and other creative thinking techniques are often used to encourage free thinking and idea generation. The emphasis is on quantity rather than quality at this stage.

Design Creation and development of innovative solutions to address a specific problem or challenge. Design is the central focus of this problem-solving methodology, and it involves generating ideas, concepts, and prototypes to ultimately arrive at effective and user-centered solutions.

Test In the final stage, prototypes are tested with real users to gather feedback. This feedback is used to refine and improve the design. The testing phase often involves observing how users interact with the prototypes, asking for their opinions, and analyzing their reactions. The results of testing may lead to further iterations of the design or a return to previous stages if necessary.

Lend Squad is designed for users who seek a seamless and secure way to manage multiple financial tasks within a single app.It targets: Individuals Professionals

Lending app 

The Shopify Mobile App is an all-in-one mobile solution designed to empower merchants to run their businesses anytime, anywhere. With this app, users can create, customize, and manage their online stores directly from their smartphones, eliminating the need for a desktop or office setup. It offers a seamless experience for entrepreneurs and small- to medium-sized businesses by integrating essential e-commerce tools into one compact platform. From product uploads to order fulfillment, marketing campaign management, and time performance tracking, the app simplifies and streamlines the complete commerce workflow.

The Shopify Mobile App serves a diverse range of users who are actively involved in the daily operations of an online business. The primary user groups include

&nbsp; Users rely on the Shopify Mobile App to efficiently complete a variety of critical business tasks on the go

&nbsp; Identified Issues &amp; Solutions

When adding products, there is minimal validation for required fields allowing incomplete entries

Some users report delays in order status updates or lack of real-time feedback when actions are performed

The placement of key actions varies across screens, potentially confusing users who expect consistent navigation patterns.

The primary users of the App are small business owners and store managers with varying levels of technical expertise. They typically access the app through modern smartphones and expect a seamless, optimized mobile  experience. Many users may have accessibility needs such as larger font sizes, color options, or compatibility with assistive technologies. Across the board, users value intuitive navigation, minimal use of jargon, and clear guidance, particularly during onboarding and when completing critical tasks like order fulfillment or product management.

 Mobile accessibility standards must be met, including support for screen readers, adjustable font sizes, and color contrast

The app should perform reliably across different devices and operating systems, with a focus on minimizing load times

 The app cannot collect or store Shopify user credentials directly and must comply with all Shopify App Store policies.

The UX audit of the Shopify Mobile App evaluates the user experience to ensure smooth, intuitive, and efficient store management on mobile devices 

UX Audit Shopify App

The goal was to design a seamless, visually engaging e-commerce experience for a women’s accessories brand. The project covered the complete user journey—from browsing products to completing purchases—prioritizing usability, modern aesthetics, and business growth.

&nbsp; Women’s accessory shoppers often face hurdles like cluttered product displays, confusing filters, and a lack of inspiration. The challenge: 

How might we create an online store where users can easily discover, evaluate, and purchase accessories with confidence and delight?

Reviewed leading fashion/accessory e-commerce sites to benchmark navigation, discovery, and checkout flows

Gathered insights from women aged 18–40 about their online shopping pain points. Main findings:

Women’s accessory shoppers often face hurdles like cluttered product displays, confusing filters, and a lack of inspiration. Mainly target Working Professional

Visually engaging e-commerce experience for a women’s accessories brand.

Hello! I'm thrilled to share my experience designing the ZenVibe app, a fitness and wellness application focused on inclusivity and holistic well-being.  My role was as the lead UX/UI designer, and the project spanned from January 2023 to October 2023.  We were a team of five—myself, two other designers, a developer, and a project manager. We primarily used Figma for design and collaboration, and Jira for project management.

Our goal was to create an app that truly caters to everyone, regardless of gender, age, or fitness level. We wanted to move beyond the typical fitness app and build a platform supporting physical fitness, mindful nutrition, and mental wellness—all within a welcoming and supportive environment.

Many fitness apps fall short.  They often focus solely on aesthetics or specific demographics, excluding many potential users.  Many are also overwhelming with information, or lack features that promote holistic well-being.  This leads to low engagement and user drop-off. Our research confirmed this:  users craved an app that would simplify their wellness journey and empower them to reach their goals, regardless of their background.

Our primary objective was to design an inclusive, user-friendly fitness and wellness app that encourages long-term engagement.  Our key performance indicators (KPIs) included a 90-day retention rate of 50%, an average session duration of 20 minutes, a daily active user (DAU) rate of 40%, and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 70 or higher. We also aimed for a positive user feedback response rate of 80% from in-app surveys.

We conducted thorough user research, including user interviews, surveys, and competitive analysis. Our interviews revealed a strong desire for personalization, integration of different wellness aspects, and a supportive community. We then created detailed user personas to guide our design decisions, representing various ages, fitness levels, and wellness goals.

Our competitive analysis showed a gap in the market for a truly inclusive and holistic wellness app. Existing apps often lacked a focus on mindful nutrition or lacked diverse representation in their visuals and content.

We used a combination of brainstorming sessions, sketching, and mood boards to explore different design concepts.  We focused on creating a clean, intuitive interface with a calming color palette. We emphasized clear navigation and visually appealing charts to track progress. User feedback was integrated at each stage, shaping our design choices.

We started with low-fidelity wireframes to define the app's structure and user flow.  These were iterated based on user feedback before moving to high-fidelity mockups.  The visual design incorporated a calming color palette, simple typography, and encouraging imagery.  Throughout the process, we conducted usability testing, incorporating user feedback at each stage.

We focused on creating a truly inclusive design, being mindful to avoid gender stereotypes in imagery and language, and offering a wide range of content relevant to all genders and fitness levels.  Accessibility was a priority, ensuring sufficient color contrast and scalability for different screen sizes.

One major challenge was balancing personalization with simplicity.  We needed to offer enough customization to cater to diverse needs without overwhelming users.  We solved this by using a modular design, allowing users to choose the features most relevant to them.  Maintaining user motivation over the long term was another challenge; we addressed this by incorporating gamification elements like streaks and rewards to keep users engaged.

The final ZenVibe app is a clean, intuitive, and inclusive platform that supports fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness.  Post-launch data has been very positive, exceeding our initial KPIs.  User feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising the app's inclusivity and ease of use. We achieved a 90-day retention rate of 65%, an average session duration of 25 minutes, and a DAU rate of 55%.  Our NPS stands at 78, and the positive user feedback response rate exceeded 90%.

This project reinforced the importance of thorough user research and iterative design.  The focus on inclusivity proved critical to the app's success, showing that creating a truly welcoming environment attracts and retains a broader user base.  If I were to do it again, I would incorporate even more robust A/B testing to fine-tune specific features based on real-time user data.

The ZenVibe app has exceeded expectations, proving that a thoughtful, inclusive design approach can lead to significant user engagement and business success.  Our future plans include expanding the community features, adding more personalized content, and integrating with wearable devices.

A UX case study detailing the design and development of an inclusive fitness and wellness app, focusing on user research, iterative design, and achieving holistic well-being.

Divya UX Designer

Sreebharath

UX Designer