Circlemeal
Circlemeal is a smartphone application that allows users to quickly compare packaged foods, through an interactive display of nutritional information. The aim is to provide an immediate understanding of the nutrients of each product, promoting the adoption of informed and healthy food choices.
Selected as semifinalist in the international competition Adobe Design Achievement Awards 2013 in the Information Design category.
This project won the first prize at Confood Competition and was awarded by Confconsumatori – the Italian National Association of consumers which protects consumers’ rights.
Concept
This thesis report describes the research process and the design development of Circlemeal, starting from the analysis of existing projects and technologies in food communication, and coming to the definition of the concept and the description of the function and visual design of the app. In the contemporary context, marked by the proliferation of packaged processed products, and the consequent increase in diet-related diseases, Circlemeal aims to complement the nutritional information found on food labels making it more meaningful and useful for the consumer.
Teaser video
The app uses the camera to recognise a product’s label which is then matched to entries in a database of products.
The data is then recalculated according to the user’s preferences and personal nutritional needs. The information is displayed in augmented reality. Simply moving the frame from one pack to another, the data of the new product are added to the previous graph, allowing immediate comparison. The user can choose to display the nutritional value compared to his GDA (Guideline Daily Amounts) or the list of ingredients, and, if necessary, set the system to watch for potential allergens. Circlemeal, therefore, is designed to be completely customizable.
In addition to consultation in camera mode, for comparing foods during shopping, the app contains three other sections. “My nutritional needs” you can calculate the nutritional value of purchased products on the basis of custom portions.
“Browse and compare” allows you to browse all products in the database, divided into categories, and compare up to three products simultaneously; in the section. It is always possible to edit the information and change the settings in the profile page.
First Wireframes
Thesis report
Below you can read the full italian report, with the abstract in english. This thesis report describes the research process and the design development of Circlemeal, starting from the analysis of existing projects and technologies in food communication, and coming to the definition of the concept and the description of the function and visual design of the app.
