Look, cook, learn: A Recipe for improved functionality in cooking design

Abstract

Look, Cook, Learn: A Recipe for Improved Functionality In Cooking Design is a thesis which explores the relationship and differences between print media and digital media. Both are studied in respect to instructional cooking materials with their strengths and weaknesses .The final application involves a digital application for the Apple iPad as well as a printed recipe book.

The user experience is of great importance and therefor information layering, visual layout, and consumer expectations are all considered. All information that is included in both the digital application is broken into sections depending on the function or action that the user is trying to preform.

The `Look' sections refers to the user experience of browsing or searching for recipes. Key information that would be useful or critical in the searching process has been highlighted and emphasized in a strategic way to allow users to more easily find a recipe that they would be interested in preparing.

The "Cook' section is designed so that once a user has selected a recipe that they wish to prepare, the process of actually executing the steps necessary are clear and understandable. Care was taken to make sure language, supplementary imagery, and layout all aided in the execution of each step.

The "Learn' section is devoted to helping assist and educate users in kitchen practices such as nutrition, knife skills, substituting ingredients, and converting measurements. This section is handled differently in the print and digital application since the medium properties of each allows for a different user interaction.

Overall this thesis is designed to help improve the functionality and usability of cooking materials by considering user experience, information design, and information layering.