Competitive
Analysis
We looked at information-driven solutions that currently exist on the market. Limitations with these current platforms included over-complexity, lack of information, information overload, irrelevant functionalities, and non-inclusive design or ethics.
Outcome: We concluded that there is no technology that necessarily provides a platform that promotes information inclusivity, simplicity, and interactivity for small-scale restaurants specifically.
U.S. Small Business
Administration Relief Platform
Puget Sound Small Business Interactive Map
01 - Difficult Discoverability
Current restaurant directory platform hierarchy systems make small, independent restaurants more challenging to discover for users. Smaller establishments are often discovered via word of mouth or by chance.
02 - Difficult information navigation
Lack of streamlined, relevant restaurant information on current restaurant information platforms creates a time-consuming hassle for users
03 - Shared information interests
Interviewees valued cuisine imagery, display of exclusively relevant, simple information, and basic search flexibility when researching restaurants.
04 - Safety Concerns
Interviewees valued cuisine imagery, display of exclusively relevant, simple information, and basic search flexibility when researching restaurants.
05 - Ubiquity of mobile phone
Subjects often rely on their phone for entire restaurant research process - searching directory platforms, menu inquires, comparing pricing, etc.
Design Implication: The solution should be mobile-based and easily accessible.
Generated Themes
User Interviews
Goal: To gain insight into the pandemic consumer perspective as well as user tendencies, ideas, and values when searching for a restaurant. Direct interviews were appropriate as we wanted to gain a more detailed and personal insight. We interviewed university students in the Seattle area to do so.
Outcome: Our interviews revealed a pattern of common preferences in interaction habits and search concerns as well as current solution pain points.
Survey
Goal: To gain insight into the impacts of the pandemic on small restaurants in the International District based upon stakeholder responses to a variety of multiple choice and free response questions.
Outcome: Dramatically reduced visitation rates to the International District was expressed during the pandemic compared to before the spread of the virus. The drastic change in visitation highlights the loss of business for small restaurants in the international district — huge losses of income due to the lack of visiting people in the international district.
User Personas
Outcome: Using data from our research, interviews, and survey, we were able to create distinct user personas involved in this issue and identify their needs, goals, and pain points. These personas ensured our solution would remain user-centered.


The Bottom Line
Many people have a set of criteria and goals when considering a charitable donation, but are faced with a narrow scope of organizations, personal misgivings, and difficulties throughout the entire donation experience.