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1Introduction
2Solution
Introduction⮟
TOYOTA MOBILITY FOUNDATION
Enhancing Logistics for Food Banks and Pantries
Enhancing Logistics for Food Banks and Pantries
2 mins read + 5 mins watch
Timeline
Timeline
August 2024 - Present
August 2024 - Present
Team
Team
2 UX Designers, 2 UX Researchers
2 UX Designers, 2 UX Researchers
My Role
My Role
User Research, Personas, Wireframing, Prototyping, Hi-Fi Visual designs, User Testing
User Research, Personas, Wireframing, Prototyping, Hi-Fi Visual designs, User Testing
Tools
Tools
Figma, FigJam, Miro, Google Forms, After Effects, Illustrator, Notion
Figma, FigJam, Miro, Google Forms, After Effects, Illustrator, Notion
Overview
Overview
In partnership with the Toyota Mobility Foundation, our team was tasked to tackle the logistics and mobility challenges faced by food banks and pantries across Indiana.
We discovered that manual processes, communication gaps, and lack of real-time inventory visibility were causing food waste and limiting the ability of food pantries to meet community needs.
In partnership with the Toyota Mobility Foundation, our team was tasked to tackle the logistics and mobility challenges faced by food banks and pantries across Indiana.
We discovered that manual processes, communication gaps, and lack of real-time inventory visibility were causing food waste and limiting the ability of food pantries to meet community needs.
THE PROBLEM
Fragmented logistics across Indiana’s food network
Fragmented logistics across Indiana’s food network
Food banks and pantries across Indiana are facing ongoing issues with logistics and coordination. These organizations manage inventory and distribution on their own, which often causes to delays, miscommunication, and food going to waste.
There’s no easy way for pantries to track where food is available quickly or for banks to know which pantries need it most. Volunteers also don’t have a clear system to see pickup and delivery tasks, making coordination harder. All of this makes the food distribution process slower and less efficient than it could be.
Food banks and pantries across Indiana are facing ongoing issues with logistics and coordination. These organizations manage inventory and distribution on their own, which often causes to delays, miscommunication, and food going to waste.
There’s no easy way for pantries to track where food is available quickly or for banks to know which pantries need it most. Volunteers also don’t have a clear system to see pickup and delivery tasks, making coordination harder. All of this makes the food distribution process slower and less efficient than it could be.
25% of Indianapolis
1 in 7 people
200,000 residents
9 in 10 households
25% of Indianapolis
1 in 7 people
200,000 residents
9 in 10 households
25% of Indianapolis
25% of Indianapolis
1 in 7 people
1 in 7 people
200,000 residents
200,000 residents
9 in 10 households
9 in 10 households
THE SOLUTION
A smarter, connected system
A smarter, connected system
We designed a centralized platform that connects food banks, pantries, and food donors on one seamless system.
With this, Food Banks and Pantries can now manage food distribution in one place. Our platform makes it easy to share extra food, request what’s needed, coordinate pickups and deliveries, and keep track of everything in real time.
By simplifying communication and reducing manual effort, our system helps organizations distribute food faster, minimize waste, and stay focused on serving their communities.
We designed a centralized platform that connects food banks, pantries, and food donors on one seamless system.
With this, Food Banks and Pantries can now manage food distribution in one place. Our platform makes it easy to share extra food, request what’s needed, coordinate pickups and deliveries, and keep track of everything in real time.
By simplifying communication and reducing manual effort, our system helps organizations distribute food faster, minimize waste, and stay focused on serving their communities.
A 5 mins video summarizing our work so far
A 5 mins video summarizing our work so far
impact
Here’s what it makes easier
Here’s what it makes easier
Instead of spending time tracking things manually or waiting on phone calls, food banks and pantries can quickly see what's available, request what they need, and keep things moving.
Instead of spending time tracking things manually or waiting on phone calls, food banks and pantries can quickly see what's available, request what they need, and keep things moving.
Saves time by cutting down back-and-forth communication.
Saves time by cutting down back-and-forth communication.
Gets surplus food out faster, so less of it goes to waste.
Gets surplus food out faster, so less of it goes to waste.
Makes it easier for pantries to see what's available and for food banks to respond.
Makes it easier for pantries to see what's available and for food banks to respond.
Helps volunteers find and sign up for deliveries without needing to be called or texted.
Helps volunteers find and sign up for deliveries without needing to be called or texted.
Gives food banks a better view of what's working and where help is needed.
Gives food banks a better view of what's working and where help is needed.
Reflection
Looking Back
Looking Back
This project started as a way to tackle food distribution logistics, but it quickly became clear that solving it meant building a connected network. Food banks, pantries, and volunteers were all working hard. But often separately.
It gave me a chance to think through how different parts of a process come together and how design can make that coordination clearer and more manageable. It was a good exercise in designing for real operational needs, not just individual screens.
This project started as a motion graphics assignment, but as I explored ideas, it made sense to also rethink parts of the product itself. That’s where the idea of the Social Hub came in.
I ended up working across motion design , UX, and brand design to make Spotify feel more connected and personal. I learned how to keep motion purposeful and how small interaction details can change how a product feels by a huge margin.
It also gave me more practice designing around real user needs, not just visuals. Overall, it taught me how to build more connected, intentional experiences.
Conclusion
What's Next?
What's Next?
Before we move forward, here’s what’s currently happening and what’s coming next:
Before we move forward, here’s what’s currently happening and what’s coming next:
Currently conducting user evaluation sessions to gather feedback on the prototype.
Currently conducting user evaluation sessions to gather feedback on the prototype.
Capture a baseline snapshot of existing workflows for comparison.
Capture a baseline snapshot of existing workflows for comparison.
Talk with third-party logistics (3PL) providers to explore integration opportunities
Talk with third-party logistics (3PL) providers to explore integration opportunities
Plan for handoff and presentation to Toyota Mobility Foundation
Plan for handoff and presentation to Toyota Mobility Foundation
Thank You :)
Pssst, you've reached the end… but how about one more read?
Product Design
Product Design
Product Design
Social UX
Social UX
Social UX
Desktop
Desktop
Desktop
As part of my final project
As part of my final project