Cuppa Dash began as a passion project during my Master’s program in the U.S. The idea came to me during a late afternoon lab session. I was hungry, but my phone and bag were in the locker. Class was about to end in a few minutes, and I had a simple thought: what if I could place my food order right from my watch?
It was frustrating to wait until I could grab my phone, unlock it, open the app, and place the order. That moment made me wonder why the food ordering experience wasn’t already built into the device I was wearing on my wrist.
So I decided to create one.
Cuppa Dash is my take on solving that small but real inconvenience. It’s a concept designed for quick, effortless food ordering right from the Apple Watch, blending real-life needs with thoughtful design.
Apple Watch 45mm
Platform
UX Designer
Role
Tool
Smartphone-dominant food delivery apps force users to switch devices, creating a clunky experience for smartwatch owners who prefer quick, hands-free ordering, especially when using phones isn't ideal.
Problem Statement
Solution
"Cuppa Dash" brings seamless, end-to-end food delivery to Apple Watch. Users browse restaurants, order, customize, pay, and track deliveries – all on their wrist – with a minimalist, intuitive interface optimized for smartwatch navigation.
My UX Design Process
Competitive Analysis
A deep dive into existing food delivery apps (leaders and rising stars) revealed a focus on smartphones, with limited smartwatch functionality. This competitive analysis highlighted a gap in the market for a comprehensive Apple Watch food ordering experience.
Insights from User Interviews
Listen & Learn
Wireframe
Utilized low-fidelity wireframes through quick paper sketches to ideate on layout and design patterns. Explored various design concepts and solutions to address user pain points and improve the overall user experience.
User Journey Mapping
"Cuppa Dash" prioritizes a user-friendly experience with a logical information architecture and hierarchical navigation. By focusing on familiar design patterns and key user tasks, essential actions are intuitive and easily accessible.
Map & Plan
Branding
Cuppa Dash is not just a food delivery app. It is a bold, minimal brand brewed for speed, simplicity, and smart interactions on the smallest screen.
Design & Build
Design
Leveraging a QR code, "Cuppa Dash" seamlessly links to the mobile app, skipping account creation. Users can explore restaurants, search by voice, personalize settings, and track deliveries, all from their wrist. An AI assistant named "Cuppa" provides in-app help and voice chat functionality.
User Testing
To evaluate and refine the usability and interaction flow of the Apple Watch ordering experience for Cuppa Dash through two rounds of user testing.
Participants
5 frequent food delivery app users
Ages 22–40
Tasks Tested
User Reactions
😊 Users loved the minimal, clean interface
😊 Voice ordering felt natural and efficient
😊 Order tracking was clear and timely
😔 Some users struggled with scrolling and small tap targets
Actionable Improvements
😊 Increase button size and spacing for better tap accuracy
Test & Improve
That even the smallest everyday problems can spark meaningful ideas.
Cuppa Dash wasn’t just about designing a food app. It was about recognizing a need, listening to real users, and crafting something simple, smart, and wearable.
This project reminded me that good design isn’t just about screens or trends. It’s about timing, context, and meeting people where they are, even if that’s just five minutes before class ends.
If you’ve ever been hungry, rushed, or just wished technology worked a little faster for you then you already get why Cuppa Dash matters.
And that’s what keeps me designing.
So, what did I learn from a moment of hunger?