This was a design exercise done in 4 hours under a 3-day span. The purpose of this project is to improve the experience and visuals of a popular app like Yelp.
I analyzed the current user experience and sought input from a few friends to gauge their perspectives on the Yelp app and its primary use for them. Here are my key observations:
I checked in with my friends to figure out what they prioritize when using the app. Here's the breakdown of features, ranked in order of importance from most crucial to least:
Most important
Least important
Search
Star Rating
Reviews
Map
Open Now
Distance
Order Online
Call
Collections
Check In Bonuses
I examined the visual aesthetics of the Yelp app, noting its vibrant and energetic vibe. However, I observed that the design incorporates details that contribute to a cumbersome experience, including unnecessary lines, colors, and information.
I gathered a few food-focused apps to see how they tackle this industry. Grubhub, Postmates, and Food Network are using mostly white, light gray, and letting the food photos speak for themselves.
I chose to focus on Search, Product, and Collections to redesign. In these pages, I kept some of Yelp’s best features like map search and categories, and decided to hide details like address, website, and user statistics due to their low must-haves rating.
I decided on a minimal and flat interface redesign. The red burst on the Yelp logo stood out against the stark white background. Invisible dividers and flat, rounded shapes also helped the content pop out more.
I enlarged the photos on search results page, kept popular features like “Open now” filter and ability to make reservations and order online.
On product page, I surfaced reviews much higher and truncated details. I also created a new Photos feature where “Menu”, “Food”, and“Ambiance” are segmented.
The result is much cleaner and modern.
I surfaced Collections upfront as a new tab since it seems to be a useful and popular feature. I also refreshed the UI to match the look and feel of the other pages.
Having wrapped up this fun exercise, I gained valuable insights. Reflecting on the project, I recognize the potential for a deeper analysis of user behaviors within the Yelp app. Given more time, I would have dived further by asking additional questions such as:
Despite these considerations, the experience was enriching, offering fresh perspectives and contributing to my learning journey.
