003/COOKING APP
savr
How I redesigned recipe guidance for the reality of kitchen multitasking
2025 (5 DAY DESIGN SPRINT)
The drag scene is electric—full of creativity, passion, and incredible talent. But here's the reality: if you want to find a show, follow your favorite queen, or connect with other fans, you're juggling Instagram, Facebook, venue websites, and word-of-mouth just to stay in the loop.
After interviewing six drag community members, one thing became crystal clear: this amazing community deserved a space as vibrant and connected as the culture itself.
SERVICES
Visual Effects, 3D Character Design, Vehicle Design, 3D Scene Design
Project Overview
SAVR is a recipe app with a growing library of quality meals and an active community of home chefs. While users love the recipe diversity and quality, they consistently provide negative feedback about following instructions for complex recipes—specifically around timing, preparation order, and learning new cooking techniques.
Design Constraints Current system: Basic ordered lists of steps Platform: Native mobile app feature (primary kitchen device) Focus: Solve problems during active cooking, not recipe discovery Timeline: 5-day design sprint methodology
At Nebula Production, I worked to create a visual spectacle for Stellar Odyssey, focusing on meticulously designing elements that fit the film's futuristic theme. My responsibilities included conceptualizing 3D characters and tools and crafting scenes that captured the essence of the unknown.
PRIMARY PERSONA
Setting the scene with the production team
I adopted a multi-faceted approach that combined creativity with technical precision. The goal was to push the boundaries of 3D design while maintaining a consistent aesthetic throughout the film.
I created detailed concept art and 3D models for unique characters, refining designs through iterative feedback with the production team. Then, I integrated these models into dynamic scenes using advanced visual effects and innovative rendering techniques to produce polished and compelling visuals.
Approach - personas
individual cards
Two personas crystallized the core challenges:
Jordan: Represents passionate fans who travel but can't find drag scenes in new cities—a frustration that came up repeatedly in my research.
Vivian: Embodies the performer struggle I heard consistently—talented artists working day jobs while exhausting themselves promoting across scattered platforms. "I just want people to know I exist," captured the visibility challenge perfectly.
Reframing Problems as Opportunities Instead of just listing frustrations, I turned them into "How Might We" questions that sparked creative solutions:
"How might we make event discovery effortless for traveling fans?"
"How might we help performers build authentic connections with fans?"
"How might we create sustainable promotion tools for drag careers?"
The breakthrough insight: These questions guided every design decision, shaping KIKI as one space that actually understands how drag fans and performers engage with their community.
Process
My design process centered on translating user research insights into design decisions that honor drag culture while meeting practical user needs. Each choice was grounded in how the drag community actually engages with events and performers, creating an experience that feels both authentic and functional:
Information Architecture: I organized the app around three needs from research: personal connection, event discovery, and performer engagement. This directly matches how people think about drag—connecting with community, finding shows, following performers.
Visual Identity: Developed a design system celebrating drag's bold aesthetic while prioritizing accessibility. Vibrant purples and pinks capture the energy, expressive typography balances personality with readability, and high contrast ratios ensure outdoor usability.
User Flow Design: Identified "red routes"—essential actions users perform regularly—and optimized core flows. For fans: discovering events and following performers. For performers: creating profiles and promoting shows.
Final Design
Product Images
"Working on the designs was a transformative experience that allowed me to push the boundaries of 3D design and visual effects. The opportunity to collaborate with such a talented team and contribute to a project of this scale was truly rewarding" — Mark Ashton
Achievements
Stellar Odyssey was a monumental project for Nebula Production, and the visual expertise brought by Mark was instrumental in realizing our vision. Their dedication and creativity were pivotal in bringing our sci-fi epic to life.
– Daniel Stone, Chief Creative Officer of Nebula Production
The visual impact of Stellar Odyssey garnered critical acclaim and set new benchmarks in the sci-fi genre. The innovative designs and seamless visual effects played a significant role in the film's success.
The project achieved a 53% increase in audience engagement, attributed to the captivating and immersive visual experience. Additionally, the client satisfaction rate was an impressive 99%, reflecting the success of the collaborative effort and the quality of the final product. The film's visual excellence was recognised in various industry forums, further establishing Nebula Production as a leader in cinematic innovation.
Audience engagement
Satisfaction Rate
