Hi, my name is Ellie, and I am a UX Designer based in Belfast. I aim to craft universal, intuitive solutions that transcend boundaries and put people first. I am dedicated to designing for users who are often overlooked. I’m especially passionate about designing for users who are often overlooked, ensuring their needs are not just met, but prioritised. With a focus on practical, user-centred design (and a sprinkle of colour!), I aim to create experiences that are both functional and delightful. My time studying Interaction Design at Ulster University has reshaped how I view design, introducing me to the power of functionality, accessibility, and empathy in every touchpoint.
Safe Plate is inspired by the experiences of those close to me who live with food allergies and intolerances. I've witnessed first-hand the challenges they face. From the time-consuming search for accommodating restaurants to the uncertainty of finding truly safe kitchens. Safe Plate is a free, user-focused service designed to empower individuals with dietary restrictions by helping them discover safe, inclusive dining options with full menu transparency.
Our mission is to close the gap in dietary accessibility by offering a seamless platform where users can easily explore restaurants, view tailored menus, and read reviews from others with similar dietary needs - all at no cost.
Safe Plate encourages community feedback through incentives, enables social planning by connecting friends for group dining, and continuously evolves to prioritise the unique needs of every user.
In partnership with restaurants, we also help establishments grow their customer base by expanding their menu offerings and building trust with a broader, more inclusive audience.
I began by conducting in-depth research, drawing on data and insights from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), examining legal cases involving fatal allergic reactions, and analysing the current market landscape of dietary needs-focused apps.
Building on these insights, I designed a user survey that gathered over 70 responses, offering valuable feedback on the features users would find most helpful in an app like Safe Plate. To understand the industry perspective, I also conducted a restaurant-focused survey, where many respondents expressed genuine interest in being part of a platform that supports dietary inclusivity. These findings informed the creation of user personas representing three key dietary categories:
These personas helped guide the design and functionality of the platform, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of its users.
After gathering insights, I created a Service Blueprint to map out both the digital and physical touchpoints of the Safe Plate experience. This helped clarify the user journey and identify opportunities for seamless interaction.
From there, I sketched out key feature screens and developed a low-fidelity prototype to visualize the full user flow. This evolved into a high-fidelity design, refined through multiple rounds of user testing..
These iterations were crucial in shaping an accessible and intuitive service tailored to the needs of users with dietary restrictions.
Working on Safe Plate has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Because the topic directly impacts people close to me, I was deeply motivated to design a seamless, empathetic experience that makes users feel understood, supported,and prioritised.
I'm especially proud of the mobile prototype, which allows users to search for restaurants, view detailed menus, and access tailored meal breakdowns based on their dietary needs. This core journey reflects the heart of the service, making dining out safer and more inclusive.
If I were to take this project further, I would focus on expanding features, such as enhancing the dining party planning tool, to make group dining with dietary restrictions even more effortless and enjoyable.
