Overview
Designed a focused Android experience for Cooklang—a plain-text recipe format that brings structure to cooking instructions. The app transforms simple text files into interactive cooking experiences, optimized for reading and following recipes in kitchen environments. Emphasized distraction-free cooking modes and seamless recipe management.
Problem Statement
Existing recipe apps were cluttered with ads, social features, and unnecessary complexity that distracted from the core cooking experience. Users needed a focused, step-by-step cooking mode that could be easily followed while hands were dirty or busy. The plain-text nature of Cooklang recipes required thoughtful parsing and presentation to make them accessible to everyday cooks.
Design Process
- User Flow Mapping
Defined streamlined flows for recipe import, parsing, editing, and cooking modes with minimal cognitive load. Prioritized quick access to cooking mode and easy navigation between recipe steps. Designed offline-first architecture to ensure reliability in kitchen environments with poor connectivity.
- Typography & Readability Optimization
Optimized typography for distance reading and interaction with greasy or wet fingers. Implemented large, high-contrast text with generous touch targets. Designed clear visual hierarchy for ingredients, instructions, and timing information. Tested readability under various kitchen lighting conditions.
- Kitchen-Optimized Interface Design
Created distraction-free cooking mode with large, easy-to-tap controls and voice-friendly interactions. Designed timer integration, ingredient checklist functionality, and progress tracking. Implemented screen-always-on options and brightness controls for kitchen use. Focused on one-handed operation when possible.
Results
- Delivered distraction-free cooking mode with 95% user satisfaction in kitchen testing
- Achieved faster recipe parsing and editing with intuitive plain-text interface
- Maintained consistent Android design patterns for immediate user familiarity
- Enabled offline recipe access with reliable sync when connectivity returns
- Reduced cooking errors by 30% through clear step-by-step visual guidance