ShelfFinder
concept mobile application for indoor
grocery navigation.
Role: UX/UI Designer ● Deliverables: User flows, wireframes,
UI design, interactive prototype ● Tools: Figma
Duration: 6 weeks
Role: UX/UI Designer ● Deliverables: Sitemap, wireframes,
UI design, prototype ● Tools: Figma
Duration: 6 weeks
Introduction
ShelfFinder is a mobile application that helps users quickly locate products inside physical grocery stores by showing the exact aisle and shelf location. The goal of the project was to reduce time wasted searching for items and to support users in crowded stores or environments with limited staff availability.
Understanding the User
better understand grocery shopping behaviors, a survey was conducted among regular shoppers. The results showed that while most users enjoy grocery shopping and typically spend less than an hour instore, many still experience friction when locating products.
A significant number of users shop without a predefined list, often losing track of time while searching for items. Although most users persist until they find what they need, the process can be inefficient especially in larger stores or unfamiliar layouts.
These insights highlighted an opportunity to support shoppers during moments of uncertainty, helping them locate products quickly without disrupting the overall shopping experience.
Breaking Down The Process
To better understand the opportunity space, a competitive audit was conducted across
grocery and store navigation applications. The review revealed common friction points
such as cluttered navigation, lack of product history, and limited in-store guidance.
Based on these findings, key opportunities were defined:
-
Simplify product and store navigation
-
Provide quick access to previously searched items
-
Introduce wishlist and support features
-
Reduce time spent searching inside stores
To visualize the experience, both a big-picture storyboard and
a close-up storyboard were created.
User flows were then mapped to ensure a clear path from store selection
to aisle location and item confirmation.
Problems To Be Solved
● Confusing Store Layouts
shoppers struggle to find products quickly due to poorly organized stores.
leads to frustration and wasted time.
● Missing Features in Existing Apps.
Lack of simple navigation and quick access to previous searches.
no wishlists or support to streamline the shopping experience.
● Time Inefficiency.
Shoppers spend too long looking for items.
without help,they may abandon purchases or avoid stores.
Process & Ideation
With the core problems defined, the next step was to explore different ways these issues could be addressed through design. Early ideation focused on how product information could be presented more clearly without overwhelming users, as well as how authenticity and craftsmanship could be communicated beyond standard product listings.
Multiple layout directions were explored, including variations in information hierarchy, visual emphasis, and content grouping on product pages. Different approaches were also considered for communicating brand authenticity, ranging from subtle visual cues to more explicit storytelling elements. These explorations helped clarify which ideas supported trust and understanding without compromising the calm, minimal nature of the experience.
Solutions
● Store & Product Navigation ShelfFinder introduces a two-level search system.
Users first select or search for a specific store, then search within that store for a product. Results clearly display aisle, line, and shelf location, reducing layout confusion and eliminating unnecessary wandering inside large stores.
● Favorites & Shopping List
To reduce repeated effort, users can:
- Add products to Favorites for quick future access
- Create a Shopping List before visiting the store
These features support preparation and repeat behavior, allowing users to return and locate items instantly without restarting the search process.
● Clean & Focused Interface
The interface was intentionally designed with:
- Minimal visual clutter
- Clear hierarchy
- Large, readable typography
- Soft green and white palette
Green was chosen for its strong association with grocery, freshness, and environmental cues. Icons are simple and consistent to reinforce quick recognition.
The goal was not to impress visually — but to remove friction.
Final Design
What i Learned
● Small Frictions Matter More Than Big Features.
Users don’t struggle because apps are missing massive features.
They struggle because of small moments of confusion. In grocery shopping, even a few minutes of uncertainty creates frustration. Designing ShelfFinder reinforced how powerful clarity and direction can be.
● Simplicity Requires Intentional Decisions .
Making an interface “simple” is not automatic. It requires removing unnecessary steps, reducing visual noise, and prioritizing only what supports the user’s goal. Every element in ShelfFinder had to justify its existence.
● Structure Builds Trust .
When information is predictable and organized, users feel in control. Clear store selection, visible location details, and transparent navigation reduced anxiety and made the experience feel dependable.
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