KitchenNote.
Overview
The KitchenNote is an innovative recipe recording and postcard-printing device designed to preserve culinary legacies and foster connection. By bringing the tactile joy of postcards into the digital age, KitchenNote ensures that every recipe becomes a lasting keepsake.
Time
Fall 2024
Skills
Interviewing
Researching
Rapid Ideation
Product Visualization
Prototyping
Mentors
Stephanie Chang
Jess Kessin
Darrick del Moral
This idea stemmed from a much larger problem.
“In the US, 28% of seniors live alone, totaling more than 14.7 million people.”
(ConsumerAffairs)
Societal Issue
Loneliness is something that plagues a large number of people older than 70 years.
This can lead to a variety of health complications, including (but not limited to):
Dementia: Risk increases by 50%
Stroke: Risk increases by 32%
Heart disease: Risk increases by 29%
Mental health disorders: Risk increases by 26%
Premature mortality: Risk increases by 26%
I needed to hear their story.
Interviews were conducted.
Across the 7 or so people we interviewed, one particular quote I found interesting came from from Cathy, who is in her mid-70s.
"I was so struck these last couple days how good it felt for someone to ask me to do something for them... makes me teary… Other people are always helping us.”
How might we design a way for independent seniors to help people and feel fulfilled doing so?
Cooking is ubiquitous, and gratifying to everyone involved.
The idea was to create a device that:
Records your verbal cooking instructions as you create, including specific anecdotal moments related to the dish.
Allows the user to take a photo of the finished dish
Creates a postcard that features an AI-synthesized version of the recipe that includes the stories and memories associated with it.
Aesthetic Inspiration
Analog and tactile.
Once I knew the mechanism’s components, I iterated more silhouettes derived from how the user would interact with it.
Every recipe tells a story — record yours and share the memories.
Control how loud you want your playback.
Magnetic fastening for easy mounting.
Intuitive controls so you don't get lost.
Easily fastened and secure, so your session remains uninterrupted.
Cards are easily printed.
Storage of cards remains upright in a "rolodex" fashion.
More than just a recipe - KitchenNote records, prints, and preserves your cooking memories in a way no phone can. Tangible, personal, and made to share.
