Cookidoo Add a feature project
The goal is to add useful features to the existing Thermomix app. blending into the brand design, and solving users current pain points.
Thermomix is a multifunctional smart cooker that combines heating, blending, weighing.The appliance is closely integrated with the Cookidoo® app, which provides guided cooking, step-by-step recipes, and smart features that help users cook with confidence. In this case study, I focused on designing and adding a new feature to the Thermomix Cookidoo app to further enhance usability and improve the overall cooking experience.
Background
Problem
Users can’t edit recipes properly.
Recipes are available only in a specific language.
Research Goal
We want to: Understand how users discover and interact with the recipe-management experience and identify improvements that help retain subscribers beyond the free trial period.
Research Plan - Add a feature
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Define research personas
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Conduct user interviews
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Generate an affinity map
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Analyze result
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Determine problem statement & Project scope
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Create low-fidelity wireframes and run initial test
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Iterate to mid-fidelity wireframes
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Testing & Prototype
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Analyze results
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High-fidelity wireframes prototype
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Last testing & Iterations
UX Research
Meet Miguel & Sofia
Research Personas
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Miguel and Sofia represent Cookidoo users. Users who like to try international dishes and elaborate recipes use their Thermomix once or twice a week, and users who like simple everyday recipes make their cooking experience fast and easy.
*Photos generated with AI
Affinity map Results
All participants participating in the interview own a Thermomix; they all have different habits with their Thermomix. However, they have common frustrations regarding the Cookidoo frustration they experience.
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Full speed features are scary to use.
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Multi-language search and translation are too rigid.
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There's no remote control for the TM
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Instructions can be confusing.
Problem Statement 1: Limited Recipe Variety & Customization
Background:
Cookidoo’s current recipe library is often described by users as repetitive, lacking fresh everyday options, and offering limited ability for users to adapt or share custom recipes.
Problem Statement 2: Lack of Multi-language Support & Ingredient Flexibility
Background:
Cookidoo’s search and content are often locked to a single language, recipes do not translate automatically, and there’s no built-in support for finding ingredient substitutes — making it hard for bilingual or international users to find and cook what they want.
Project Goals
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User Flows
The primary tasks developed were: “Edit an existing recipe” and “Create a new recipe.” Research shows these are the flows users need most.
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UI Design
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
The Low-Fidelity wireframes are a first draft of how the user/task flows will integrate into the existing app.
The Cookidoo app has a complex layout to find the different recipes. One can access a specific recipe through the main page, the collections, the search bar, or through the app suggestions.
For this case study - Modify an existing recipe- we approach the recipe through the search bar.
For the flow - Create a new recipe- the path is through "My Recipes."
The brand identity and coherent layout are respected, and the final product should look like a natural insert to the app.
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Edit a recipe Thermomix Cookidoo
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Create a recipe Thermomix Cookidoo
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
This is an example of the discrete modified design of the current app.
The inserts feel natural and almost invisible.
The design of the Mid-fidelity wireframes follows the organic paths that users showed in the low-fidelity testing results.
For this case study, the necessary screens were designed. Such as:
Home
Search
My recipes
Recipe main page
Editing menu input
Creating menu input
Saved message pop-up screen
Iterations
Iterations resulting from mid-fidelity testing focused on reducing the amount of information users needed to complete in order to continue editing.
Before
4 Screens Step
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After
1 Screen Step
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Key Takeaways
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A major challenge during the interviews was reconciling contradictory feedback from participants, making it difficult to identify which insights were most relevant to inform design decisions.
To resolve this, feedback was synthesized by identifying recurring patterns and validating them against usability observations rather than relying on individual opinions.
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I initiated this case study after identifying a language barrier in Cookidoo that limited users’ access to recipes. While exploring automatic AI translation as a solution, a new pain point emerged: users lacked intuitive ways to manipulate and customize recipes.
An unexpected insight from user research revealed concerns I had not initially anticipated. For example, several participants found using the TM at full speed intimidating—highlighting a gap between system capability and user confidence.
A key trade-off in this case study involved simplifying the number of adjustable recipe parameters. Users were overwhelmed by details that were not critical to their goals, many of which could be handled automatically through AI-driven assistance.
AI played a central role in organizing and enhancing the experience by grouping similar inputs, reducing cognitive load, and generating supportive visuals where appropriate.
These decisions ensured customization remained flexible while reducing complexity for less confident users.
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