Spice Cabinet
Thesis Statement
How can I create a platform that will allow individuals to build meals based off the spices and seasonings they have available?
Project Narrative
As an aspiring home chef, I grew interested in spices and herbs to improve my cooking. When cooking I kept asking myself, “I have these spices, how can I use them?” and “I have this ingredient, what seasonings can I use with it?” I began researching online and quickly became overwhelmed and frustrated that information was so spread out. I started compiling my research and began organizing it into categories for an app. My goal for this project is to provide the fundamentals of meal building with the spices and seasonings the individual has available.
Goals
My goals were to utilize spices and herbs the individual has available and to build a foundation to establish options for creating a meal.
Audience
My intended audience for this app is any home cooks seeking to gain knowledge on herbs and spices to improve their cooking.
Research Process
I began my research with the definition of what is an herb and a spice. Herbs are the leaves and spices are the seeds, flowers, and fruit of a plant. Then considered they can be fresh or dried when used. I further looked into how different spices can be combined and even identify ways to be utilized in dishes. The final part of my research was how to connect the available herbs and spices to recipes.
Research Sketches
Influences
Visual Development
Logo
I started this process by finding textured images of herbs and spices. Using these images, I looked at the flavors of seasonings as an influence on my logo. At first, I focused on flavors and found that to be too limiting. From that, I wanted to encompass a wide range of spices into the logo. I decided to go with an idea that’s a little closer to home. I call the area where we keep our spices and herbs the “spice cabinet”. This contains a wide range of seasonings. To bring another aspect of spices and herbs into the logo, I reviewed colors from images I gathered on various herbs and spices. As an added feature, I turned the “dot” of the letter “I” in “Spice” into a leaf and added a color gradient to represent mild to hot seasoning. I added a green and yellow color to demonstrate freshness and to balance out the contrast. (What typeface is this?)
App
I started formatting this app around options for making recipes. I narrowed the scope down to a concept of identifying and matching herbs, spices, and recipes. I further expanded this by adding a protein section for the ingredients. I was influenced by the idea of what spices an individual may have available, what substitutions can occur with seasonings, and the ability to create a personalized recipe. I added the recipe feature where one can search for new recipes and have access to favorite recipes. Later features include the ability to keep track of the available herbs and spices an individual has to ensure freshness. There is another area where an individual can learn more about techniques for blending, cooking, and drying their own herbs and spices. An individual can keep their information by logging into an account and creating a profile that will adjust their recipes based on their preferences.
Symbols
For the navigation, I created a symbol system. I used a chef’s hat for the cooking menu of the app. I used a recipe list to refer to the recipe section of the app. The spice cabinet area of the app is represented by a stalk of leaves. Finally, the profile image is represented by a silhouette of a person. For this system, I used yellow to contrast against the green background. For the food icons, I used some of the colors I picked from the spices to represent the color of the food.
Conclusion
During the course of this project, I focused on learning about herbs and spices including their origins and how they can be used. I began implementing some of the techniques into my own cooking in order to experience and expand my knowledge. This turned out to be beneficial when I learned how to blend different spices and helped me to implement this feature into my app. Some of the information I obtained during my research could not be put into the app due to time limitations. A strength I realized while working on this project is that I have the ability to work with tight deadlines on a project that has many variables. A weakness I noted is that I tend to get caught up in the details of what I wanted and lost focus at times on the end goal. I would have to review and regroup to get back on track. Overall, I learned a lot.
References
12photography, (Photographer), (n.d.), Spice Natural Sweet Dried Red Sweet Pepper Powder [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/spice-natural-sweet-dried-red-pepper-1031908303
Adding Spices and Herbs to Food. (2020, October 30). Retrieved from https://spiceadvice.com/usage/adding/
Africa Studio, (Photographer), (n.d.), Composition of bottles with oil on wooden table [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/composition-bottles-oil-on-wooden-table-598098032
…, (Photographer), (n.d.), dried herbs, spices and and pepper, on wooden background [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dried-herbs-spices-pepper-on-wooden-111143822
Allergenic foods and Their Allergens, with links TO INFORMAL. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://farrp.unl.edu/informallspicesherbs#:~:text=Allergy%20to%20spices%20and%20h
Apeace. (2015, December 30). Cooking with fresh herbs. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://www.urbancultivator.net/cooking-with-fresh-herbs/
Artfotxyz, (Photographer), (n.d.), Ground Black Pepper, [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/ground-black-pepper-552429799
AVIcon, (Illustrator),(n.d.), Chef hat line icon, outline vector sign, linear style pictogram isolated on white. Cuisine symbol, logo illustration. Editable stroke [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/chef-hat-line-icon-outline-vector-1014608647
Boone, R. (2016, November 02). How Do I Save a Dish That's Too Spicy? Retrieved from https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-fix-a-dish-thats-too-spicy-article#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20best%20ways,milk%20can%20do%20the%20trick.&text=Sugars%20help%20to%20neutralize%20the,balance%20out%20too%2Dhot%20flavors.
Brent Hofacker, (Photographer), (n.d.), Homemade Fettucini Aflredo Pasta with Chicken and Parsley, [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/homemade-fettucini-aflredo-pasta-chicken-parsley-209213722
…, (Photographer), (n.d.), Homemade Chicken Fajitas with Vegetables and Tortillas, [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/homemade-chicken-fajitas-vegetables-tortillas-191598431
Chlebowski, E. [Ethan Chlebowski]. (2020, June, 18). Beginner's guide to BUYING, STORING & ORGANIZING SPICES [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya8m34WeDdg
[Citytv]. (2014, April, 30). The difference between herbs and spices [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzcJAOhWzJU
Cooklist Incorporation. (2018-2021). Cooklist. (1.50.9). [Mobile App] App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cooklist-pantry-to-recipes/id1352600944
Creatus, (Photographer), (n.d.), Bay Laurel Leaves on White, [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/bay-laurel-leaves-on-white-120878581
Essential spice guide. (2015, December 14). Retrieved February 02, 2021, from https://www.spicehunter.com/spice-school/essential-spice-guide/
Fablok, (Photographer), (n.d.), Dried Granulated Garlic on a White Background [DigitalImages], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dried-granulated-garlic-on-white-background-340078226
…, (Photographer), (n.d.), Small Dried Basil Leaves Abstract Background [Digital Images],https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dried-granulated-garlic-on-white-background-340078226
Farmers daughter herbs. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2021, from, https://www.farmersdaughterherbs.com/info/cooking-herb-chart
[Gooseberry Patch]. (2013, March, 27). Quick tip: On how to Pair herbs with food. [video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iUiBoFXhi4
Janosmartan, (Photographer), (n.d.), Homemade Fettucini Aflredo Pasta with Chicken and Parsley,[Digital Images], Christmas grilled chicken breast [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/christmas-grilled-chicken-breast-53340932
JIANG HONGYAN, (Photographer), (n.d.), Dry Red Pepper on White Background [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dry-red-pepper-on-white-background-92556886
Kellner, J. [MOTHER EARTH NEWS and friends]. (2016, April, 19). Herb Basics: Drying and Preserving Herbs [video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYdv3jCozTo
Krol, K. (2021, January 20). How to code a website (using html & css). Retrieved February 04, 2021, from https://websitesetup.org/website-coding-html-css/
Little_Desire, (Photographer), (n.d.), Dried Chilli Flakes Isolated on White Background [DigitalImages], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dried-chilli-flakes-isolated-on-white-127258463
Maks M, (Photographer), (n.d.), Dried Oregano Leaves, Close-up; can be Used as a Background[Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dried-oregano-leaves-close-can-be-51503506
Maks Narodenko, (Photographer), (n.d.), Ginger with Leaves Isolated on a White Clipping Path[Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/ginger-leaves-isolated-on-white-clipping-782615017
Maria Sliusarenko, (Photographer), (n.d.), Green Coriander Leaves on a White Background [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/green-coriander-leaves-on-white-background-1690869793
McHugh, H. (2020, February 19). 36 key terms for Describing taste and flavor. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://imbibeinc.com/food-and-beverage-industry-media/blog-postings-from-the-drink-tank/36-key-terms-describing-taste-flavor
Michelle Lee Photography, (Photographer), (n.d.), Onion Powder Spilled from a Teaspoon[Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/onion-powder-spilled-teaspoon-1111216142
M-Vector, (Illustrator), (August 20, 2016), Avatar Icon Stock Illustrator [Digital Images],https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/avatar-icon-gm589555498-101279725
SOMMAI, (Photographer),(n.d.), Pile of Cayenne Pepper on White Background[Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/cayenne-pepper-on-white-background-633430226
Nadianb, (Photographer), (n.d.), Chicken stir fry with vegetables and sesame in the wok. Traditional asian food. [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/chicken-stir-fry-vegetables-sesame-wok-710360962
Naglich, M. (2019, September 24). This is how to season meat like a pro. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-season-meat/
Pink.mousy, (Photographer), (n.d.), Set of green leaves design elements. This image is a illustration [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/set-green-leaves-design-elements-this-1820793989
Poce, S. (2019, September 27). Think like a chef: How to use a design system. Retrieved February 04, 2021, from https://ux.shopify.com/think-like-a-chef-how-to-use-a-design-system-ae1f0e0e0dd7
[Pro Home Cooks]. (2019, November, 14). Learn Every Single Technique for Using Spices In One Dish [Video],.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utxce8Q3x_I
Q15, (Photographer), (n.d.), Chilli Powder or Spice Mix on a Background New [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/chilli-powder-spice-mix-on-background-1607829508
[Reluctantgourmet]. (2020, April 12). Ratio chart CONVERTING fresh herbs to Dry herbs to Ground Herbs. Retrieved February 02, 2021, from https://www.reluctantgourmet.com/converting-fresh-herbs-to-dried-ratios/
Sylwia Brataniec, (Photographer), (n.d.), Pile of Cumin Powder Isolated on White Background.Heap of Ground Caraway. [Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/pile-cumin-powder-isolated-on-white-1193262853
Timquo, (Photographer),(n.d.), Pile of Minced Garlic Isolated over the White Background[Digital Images], https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/pile-minced-garlic-isolated-over-white-571597948
Vector Point, Iconscout (Illustrator), (n.d.), Free Herb Icon of Line style - Available in SVG, PNG, EPS, AI & Icon fonts https://iconscout.com/icon/herb-1556270
Watson, M. (2017, December 28). The ultimate Herb & SPICE Flavor Pairing guide - delishably - food and drink. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://delishably.com/spices-seasonings/The-Ultimate-Spice-Pairing-Guide
Weissman, J. [Joshua Weissman]. (2019, November, 17). How to make your own spices from scratch [video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IIZmIu17wY
Weeks., K. (n.d.). When to use fresh herbs vs. dried herbs. Retrieved February 02, 2021, from https://www.thespruceeats.com/tip-fresh-versus-dried-herbs-912860
U.S. forest Service. (n.d.). Retrieved February 02, 2021, from https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ethnobotany/food/spices.shtml
Yummly Incorporation. (2021). Yummly. (6.6). [Mobile App] App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yummly/id589625334
