Carina Avram

Hover or tap on an image to view it fully. Home Page Browse available restaurant deals on surplus food, ready to make a difference. Restaurant List View participating restaurants offering discounted meals to reduce food waste. Restaurant Detail Explore meal options from a selected restaurant with detailed item descriptions. Impact Tracker Track the positive impact of your purchases, including meals saved from waste and donations made to charity causes over time. Cart Review your selected items before purchase, supporting charity and saving on meals. Confirm Payment Securely complete your purchase, knowing your choice contributes to a positive cause. See the Prototype Features List Food Deals from Surplus Purchase meals from participating restaurants at reduced prices. Charity Donations Proceeds from purchases go to a cause of the user’s choice. User-Friendly Interface Easily browse available food deals and make purchases. Impactful Metrics See how much food has been saved and donations generated in real-time. Design Thinking Phases Conceptualization “Leftover Heroes” is a mobile application designed to reduce food waste and support charitable causes. Every day, restaurants have excess food that, if not sold, often goes to waste. This app enables users to buy this food at a discounted rate at the end of the day. In addition to offering affordable meals, the revenue generated is donated to various charitable organizations, empowering users to make a positive social impact with their purchases. Problem In the United States, around 22 to 33 billion pounds of food is wasted annually, yet millions of people struggle with food insecurity. At the same time, many consumers are looking for ways to contribute to societal causes but often face financial or time constraints. Restaurants are also looking for ways to reduce waste and manage surplus more effectively. Proposed Solution “Leftover Heroes” connects users to participating restaurants with excess food, allowing them to purchase meals at a reduced price. Users can view a list of restaurants and the meals available for the day. After selecting and buying the food, the amount is donated to a cause of their choice, such as cancer research or environmental sustainability. This app reduces food waste while also providing individuals with an easy way to support charitable causes in a financially sustainable manner. Effectiveness “Leftover Heroes” serves a dual purpose by addressing both food waste and societal needs. It appeals to budget-conscious consumers seeking meal deals and also attracts those motivated by social responsibility. The app’s ease of use, combined with its tangible impact on communities, makes it an effective solution for a significant global issue. Problem Statement Every year, restaurants throw away tons of perfectly edible food, contributing to environmental waste and missed opportunities to support those in need. At the same time, individuals eager to make a difference are often unsure how to effectively contribute without straining their own resources. Leftover Heroes provides a platform where users can purchase surplus food at a discount, with proceeds going to charity. This reduces food waste and supports causes that matter. Visual Design Assets Empathy Map – Understanding Leftover Heroes Users User Persona – Profile of a Leftover Heroes Advocate User Journey – From Discovering Leftover Food Deals to Making an Impact   A visualization of user emotions, motivations, and pain points specific to reducing food waste and supporting charity, helping me design with empathy for their needs. A comprehensive profile of the typical Leftover Heroes user, detailing goals like accessing affordable meals and contributing to social causes, as well as challenges in achieving these goals. A mapped journey of the user’s experience in Leftover Heroes, capturing the steps from finding discounted meals to selecting a cause for their donation, illustrating their path to making a positive impact. Low-Fidelity & High-Fidelity Wireframes Low-Fidelity WireframesInitial Concept Sketches Low-Fidelity Wireframes Our first drafts focused on essential user flows, laying out the core functions like restaurant discovery, food selection, and donation options. These early sketches set the foundation for a simple, impact-driven app experience. High-Fidelity WireframesPolished, Interactive Design High-Fidelity Wireframes The refined design brings the concept to life with intuitive layouts, thoughtful color schemes, and enhanced visual clarity. High-fidelity wireframes provide a near-final representation, ensuring the app is engaging, accessible, and purpose-driven.