Nutrikids
A Playful Journey to Healthy Eating
Client.
Student Project
Tools.
Figma, Adobe Ai
Year.
2023
Role.
UI/UX Designer
When I started designing Nutrikids, I wanted to make diet and health an adventure. The goal was to help kids with signs of allergies, like 6-year-old Tima who has allergies, learn about their bodies and diet in a fun and interactive way. With features like a food tracker and an allergen scanner, Nutrikids became a tool for both education and safety. At the core of Nutrikids lies a narrative-driven approach, where storytelling and illustration are not just stylistic choices but functional tools for connection. The design treats the app like a storybook—every screen, interaction, and animation contributes to a visual journey that feels familiar and inviting to children. By using illustrative elements throughout the interface and centering the experience around Zi, I aimed to create a sense of continuity, comfort, and emotional engagement.
Zi
The first step was designing Zi, the app’s friendly guide. I wanted Zi to feel like a trusted companion, so I gave her a hand-drawn style inspired by kids’ drawings. The name was picked for its simplicity and ease for young users to remember.
User Interface
For the UI, I opted for darker, natural colors over pastels to make the design both calming and functional. I kept the layout clean, with plenty of space to highlight the most important features. Typography and navigation were chosen to ensure everything was intuitive for young users.
App Features
Nutrikids is designed to help children build healthier eating habits through playful interaction and meaningful feedback. Kids can log their meals by capturing photos of what they eat—whether it’s breakfast, snacks, or main meals. The app then analyzes each meal, calculating the amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, and rewards healthier choices to gently discourage junk food consumption. This system not only makes nutrition engaging for kids but also collects valuable dietary data. A connected parental dashboard allows caregivers to monitor their child’s eating patterns remotely, offering insights and support even when they’re apart. A built-in calendar helps track daily, weekly, and monthly eating habits, creating a continuous and supportive journey toward better health.
Reflection
Designing Nutrikids was a deeply educational experience that sharpened both my visual and functional design thinking. I learned how thoughtful spacing, hierarchy, and contrast can shape not only how an app looks, but how it feels to use. Balancing playfulness with clarity became essential, especially when designing for children and their parents. Small details—like consistent typography behavior or creating emotional connection through illustration—made a big impact on usability and trust. This project reminded me that design is not just about aesthetics, but about guiding behavior, building relationships, and creating experiences that feel intuitive, safe, and joyful.