Kyndal Lofton
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Mobile App Design
Project Duration:
May 2022-
August 2022 (12 weeks)
Role:
UX/UI Designer
Usability Researcher
Visual Designer
We're not your typical taco truck...
We're an everything you want & more truck!
From the break of dawn to late night munchies,
We got you covered for anything and everything in between!
Anytime is Taco Time!

T

u

r

k

'

s

 

T

a

c

o

s

Mobile App Design
We're not your typical taco truck...
We're an everything you want & more truck!
From the break of dawn to late night munchies,
We got you covered for anything & everything in between!
Anytime is Taco Time!

Let's taco 'bout it

“Is your lunch break long enough to wait in line?”
For many, grabbing a quick bite from a food truck is the ultimate convenience. With mobility, these businesses can deliver delicious meals at various locations, attracting busy individuals on the go.
But there’s a problem—most food trucks rely on outdated operations, requiring customers to physically place their orders at the truck. This limits their customer base and results in long wait times.
‍
Turk’s Tacos saw an opportunity: by leveraging technology, they could enhance customer experience and expand reach.
Various Menu Screens
This project explores key success factors—customer satisfaction, repeat business, revenue, and competition—and how technology can be a game-changer for food truck operations.
Could this be the future for food trucks and mobile dining?
Research
The target market for Turk's Tacos includes busy professionals, students, and urban dwellers who seek quick, delicious meals on the go. Their motivation to visit a food truck like Turk's Tacos includes the convenience of fast service, the appeal of diverse and flavorful taco options, and the added benefit of using a mobile app to avoid long wait times and order ahead.

This tech-savvy audience values efficiency and accessibility, making Turk's Tacos an attractive choice for satisfying their meal needs promptly and conveniently.
Personajourney map
Evaluating the Competitive Landscape
Key Insights

  • In-direct competitors  offer varying degrees of usability in their platforms.

  • Accessibility issues such as poor typography and color schemes are common.

  • Direct competitors do not have a website or a mobile app.
Opportunities for Design Implications
Accessibility
Use clear, readable fonts and high-contrast color schemes to improve readability.
User-Friendly Navigation
Simplify the menu structure and reduce text-heaviness to enhance the user experience.
Assessing Business Goals for Turk's Tacos
Enhance Customer Convenience
Launch a mobile app enabling customers to order, customize, and schedule pickups, reducing wait times and streamlining the ordering process.
Expand Visibility and Reach
Increase brand visibility with the app, drawing in new customers regardless of the truck's location and driving overall sales through digital engagement.
Initial Design
Drafting iterations on paper with colored sticky notes ensured seamless translation of elements and colors into digital wireframes.
Each screen prioritized a quick, easy ordering process and a contrasting color scheme for better usability.
Paper wireframe sketches
In the initial design phase, I based screen designs on user research feedback, focusing on easier navigation and more intuitive customization options.
A wireframe of the homepage for Turk's Tacos is on the right. On the left is the description of the navigation layout with arrows pointing to the area it is describing.A wireframe of the homepage for Turk's Tacos is on the left. On the right is the description of the navigation layout with arrows pointing to the area it is describing.
wireframes
Prototype
The complete set of digital wireframes was used to create a low-fidelity prototype, primarily focusing on the user flow for ordering a taco. This prototype was then used in a usability study with users.
prototype
Usability Study
INITIAL STUDY
The usability study  consisted of two rounds with 10 users ages 18-75 with the option of being remote or in person.
90%
Wanted a more detailed customization option.
60%
Preferred a simple and easy to use design.
SECOND STUDY
Only 5 users from the initial group returned with the addition of 5 new users added. These users revealed frustration with payment options.
75%
Wanted to be able to use payment options that they already have set up, like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Refining the Design
The study identified areas of the mockups needing refinement, particularly in the customization features on the menu layouts.

To enhance the user experience, I focused on users' specific needs and iterated the design accordingly. The high-fidelity prototypes highlighted these improvement areas.
Customization
User testing emphasized the need for customization, leading to the inclusion of a pop-up feature. This feature allows users to adjust ingredient amounts and add preferences, enhancing the personalized ordering experience.
customization screens
Customization screens
Simplified Information Architecture
The new design enhances convenience by integrating dietary options into item screens, simplifying  the selection.

It accommodates multiple dietary restrictions, making it easier to find suitable choices without extra searches.
Streamlined Payment Process
Feedback indicated that users wanted multiple payment options during checkout for both work and personal phones.

To address this, I redesigned the payment options screen for easier selection of preferred methods, ensuring usability on any phone.
payment screens
Customization
User testing emphasized the need for customization, leading to the inclusion of a pop-up feature. This feature allows users to adjust ingredient amounts and add preferences, enhancing the personalized ordering experience.
customization screens
Simplified Information Architecture
The new design enhances convenience by integrating dietary options into item screens, simplifying  the selection.

It accommodates multiple dietary restrictions, making it easier to find suitable choices without extra searches.
Customization screens
Streamlined Payment Process
Feedback indicated that users wanted multiple payment options during checkout for both work and personal phones.

To address this, I redesigned the payment options screen for easier selection of preferred methods, ensuring usability on any phone.
payment screens
The Design System
Turk's Tacos aims for a relaxed ambiance with a touch of playfulness. While the client insisted on their signature green color, they sought a design that felt open and welcoming, resonating with their target audience while maintaining a distinct brand presence.
Color Scheme
Upon client request, bright, neon, or pastel greens were to be incorporated into the app's color scheme. Fortunately for me with green being my favorite color, crafting a fitting palette was effortless.
Green color schememulti colored scheme
Main menu screen
After expanding the menu with additional items, I sought a method to ensure the pop-up screen matched the selected item. I opted to utilize a deeper hue of the primary color of the extra item to maintain a cohesive aesthetic throughout the interface.
Sub menu color scheme
sub menu screens

Iconography

To simplify information architecture, I divided text-heavy menus into digestible sections, complemented by visual aids like images and icons. Icons facilitated navigation, while detailed imagery elucidated menu items.

Employing flat icons not only enhanced navigation but also injected a playful aesthetic, aligning with the client's artistic preferences and adding a fun element to the app.
flat food icons
other menu screens
Typography
To honor the client’s Texas roots, the logo features a font reminiscent of their background, resonating with tradition-loving customers. This authenticity enhances the brand's appeal, evokes local pride, and forges deeper audience connections.
typography
Enhanced User Engagement
A timed carousel on the homepage allows users to quickly view Turk's Tacos specials or events and access more information with a click. Regular menu updates with new items are highlighted on the homepage, ensuring users stay informed and engaged.
Coming soon
Implementing a digital loyalty program that rewards frequent customers and encourages repeat business.
End Results
The introduction of the mobile app has yielded impressive results for Turk’s Tacos:
Conclusion
Turk’s Tacos has successfully leveraged technology to gain a competitive edge in the food truck industry. By introducing a mobile app for online ordering, they have enhanced customer convenience, expanded their reach, and built a loyal customer base.

This strategic initiative not only sets Turk’s Tacos apart from competitors but also positions them as a trailblazer in the industry. As the food truck market continues to evolve, Turk’s Tacos’ innovative approach serves as a model for others to follow, demonstrating the power of technology in driving business growth and customer satisfaction.
On a Final Note...
The personalized app approach enhances engagement by catering to individual needs. Designing involves various factors like user needs, functionality, aesthetics, cost, materials, creativity and research.

Overcoming these challenges was possible through empathy for both the user and the client, while ensuring desired needs and outcomes were met.

Moving forward, I will continue conducting further research, usability studies, and refining designs will be essential for ongoing improvement.
TACO
Earthly Ideas
Kyndal Lofton
 2025
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