Snap It AI Feature
With the Snap It feature on Lose It! members can upload or take photos of their meals directly in the app. Snap It will then recognize the food in the image and track the calories and macros automatically. No speaking or searching is necessary. Snap It can make staying on track with your goals in the Lose It! app easier than ever.
The feature can also be helpful in other scenarios, such as when you’re without cellular service or want to focus on the moment without fiddling with your phone. Imagine making a charcuterie board or preparing a complex salad — just snap a photo and Snap It will recognize the ingredients. You can even log food during meal prep or while cooking, helping you stay on track without pausing what you’re doing.
Organization
Lose it!
Project Duration
8 weeks
Team
PM, Designer, iOS + Android Eng
Role
UX/UI Designer
Impact
Most popular smart logging feature on the Lose It! app
Snap It received over 100,000 uses in the first month it was launched,
Additionally, Snap It was featured in an article on CNN Health.
Goal
To incorporate artificial intelligence features into Lose It! with the aim of streamlining the food logging process and enhancing users’ ability to maintain their dietary goals.
Iterations
Food Identification
We explored the feasibility of identifying foods in real time using the device’s camera. However, we ultimately decided against this approach due to concerns about excessive strain on processing resources and potential visual clutter, which could negatively impact the user experience.
Guiding the User - Camera Crosshairs
We considered using real-time color-corresponding crosshairs to guide users during food capture. However, we decided against this approach due to its high implementation complexity and the strain it would place on processing resources.
In alignment with our design principles of clarity and performance efficiency, we opted for simpler, static visual guides that support accurate capture without overwhelming the user or the device.
Affordances - On-screen buttons
To enhance usability we added a camera roll button, enabling users to easily upload images directly from their photo library if they were logging meals after the fact.
Anticipating potential questions regarding the feature, we also incorporated a quick tip guide screen. This guide offers clear, concise instructions, ensuring users can seamlessly navigate the feature and fully understand how to utilize it, improving the overall user experience.
Signifiers - Analyzing Animation
We implemented a dynamic analyzing animation to provide users with clear visual feedback during food image processing. During exploration, we considered both a sweeping bar scan and a loading-inspired animation. The sweeping bar was ultimately not chosen due to its tendency to elongate processing time visually, potentially causing users to perceive delays. In contrast, the loading-inspired animation offered a more efficient and subtle indicator of progress.
Iteraction Design
Snap It Entry Point and User Flow
We introduced the "Snap It" entry point to provide a clear and consistent way for users to capture food images and receive instant analysis of calories and macros. This feature simplifies the food logging process by allowing users to take a photo directly within the app, which is then automatically analyzed for nutritional information.
The user flow was designed for efficiency, ensuring that users can seamlessly transition from capturing the image to receiving results. After selecting "Snap It," users are prompted to snap a photo of their meal, after which the app quickly processes the image and displays the nutritional breakdown. To enhance clarity, we incorporated visual cues and concise instructions, making the process intuitive even for first-time users.
Additionally, anticipating user questions about how to use the feature, we added a quick tip guide screen that provides helpful instructions, reinforcing ease of use and ensuring users can confidently navigate the feature. This flow prioritizes a smooth, uninterrupted experience while maintaining consistency with the overall app design.
Snap It Discoverability - “New” Tag
To improve discoverability, we added a "new" tag to the "Snap It" button, drawing attention to the feature and encouraging users to try it. This visual cue helps ensure users are aware of the new functionality and easily guided to capture and analyze their meals.
Snap It for Free Users
For free users, we provided 3 complimentary uses of the "Snap It" feature, clearly indicated by a card displaying this information. This approach was designed to give users a taste of the feature's value, encouraging them to engage with it without commitment.
By offering limited access, we aimed to increase user interest and demonstrate the feature's utility, while also ensuring transparency and providing an incentive to upgrade for continued use. The card serves as a clear reminder, balancing access with the opportunity to experience the full benefits of the feature.
