Deanna Brusca conducted ethnographic research on students dining in a cafe at Hofstra University. Observations found that lines were long during busy periods and ordering/paying took time. Students wanted a faster way to order, pay for, and pick up food. The proposed app would allow users to order from their phone, pay by credit card or meal points, and receive alerts for when orders are ready to reduce time spent in lines. Some concerns were raised about losing human interaction. Further research looked at similar food ordering apps for design inspiration.

1. Welcome
Deanna BruscaApp Research and Development

2. Unmet Need or Desire
• Faster system for ordering, receiving, and paying for food
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3. The Observed Group
• Students dining in Bits and Bytes Café at Hofstra University
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4. Ethnographic Research Observations
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5. Ethnographic Research Observations
Deanna BruscaDeanna BruscaApp Research and Development

6. Ethnographic Research Observations
Deanna BruscaDeanna BruscaApp Research and Development

7. Ethnographic Research Interview
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8. Ethnographic Research Interview
Deanna BruscaDeanna BruscaApp Research and Development
• Crowded during the middle of the day
• Need for more cashiers

9. Ethnographic Research Interview
Deanna BruscaDeanna BruscaApp Research and Development
• Location is near most classes, and has consequently become
very popular
• People dine alone and dine with friends

10. Ethnographic Research Observations
• Many people become bunched up when deciding on food
• Lines for registers become long and block paths to get to food
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11. Ethnographic Research Observations
• Long register lines also block paths to exit the food area
• Sometimes the cashiers are nowhere to be found
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12. Ethnographic Research Observations
• When people pay with cash it takes much longer
• People dining leave messes, usually when the dining area is
more empty
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13. App Idea
• A system for ordering food once the user is in range of
a dining location
• Connects to a self-service register/pay method
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14. App Idea
• Will lessen time spent ordering meals, preparing, and
paying for meals
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15. Ideation Session
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16. Ideation Session
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17. Ideation Session
• Include ability to create custom orders
• Provide alerts for when food is ready
• Allow payment through credit cards and meal point system
• Problem risen: Lose of human interaction?
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18. Research on Smartphone Apps
Deanna BruscaDeanna BruscaApp Research and Development
• GrubHub: Food Delivery and Take-Out
• Uniform border, drop-down menu
• Use of red creates a bold appearance, red dots for breaks

19. Research on Smartphone Apps
Deanna BruscaDeanna BruscaApp Research and Development
• Seamless: Free Food Delivery and Take-Out
• Consistent border that connects to home screen
• Clear images of food options