Interview template

Idea: University gastronomic offer

Introduction Interviewer Introduction: Hi, my name is Tomas Angel, and I’m working on a project for one of my classes. Our main focus at the moment is to solve a specific problem for students and faculty so that they can discover dining options around our university. I’d love to get your feedback and insights to make sure we build something useful for the community.

Purpose: The purpose of this interview is to understand your dining habits, preferences, and pain points (specific problems or challenges that one might have in a situation) when it comes to finding places to eat around the university.

Confidentiality: Your responses will be kept confidential and will only be used to help improve the app. This interview should take about 10-15 minutes.

Consent: Is it okay if I record our conversation for note-taking purposes? Answer: Yeah, that’s ok.

Background Information Name (Optional): Adrian Colina.

Role/Year (e.g., Student, Faculty, Staff): Studying in Los Andes university. Currently enrolled in his sixth semester of Design.

How many meals do you have on a typical day? Mostly 2

How many meals do you have on a typical week? Mostly 14. Habits do not change over the weekend.

Do you usually eat breakfast, lunch, or snacks on campus? (Please specify which one do you usually have. If the answer to this question is no, then the interview will be useless. The main purpose is to gather information on the perspective that someone has on food and restaurants in campus.) He only has lunch at university if he doesn’t take food from home.

Current Dining Experience

• How do you usually decide where to eat around the university? He usually takes food from home but whenever he eats on or around campus, he only eats lunch. He prefers to pick a place that he personally thinks has a good balance between carbohydrates and protein although he likes to pick the one that offers him the most amount of protein possible.
• Is price a deciding factor at the memento of choosing a place? Yes, price does matter a great deal.
• Are you aware of all the dining options available on and around campus? He believes he is well aware of most options but he is sure to not know all of them.
• How do you find out about new places to eat? He usually waits until a friend introduces him to this new place as he doesnt really look for new places to eat besides the ones he already know about. He would only look for a place if a friend tells him about it, so his main source for discovering new places is voice to voice.
• What do you like or dislike about the dining options currently available?

Likes: He likes all of the food variety offered on and around campus as he feels there are a lot of different options and he “could never go a month eating the same meal” twice.

Dislikes: He feels that most places “dont cater to his caloric necessities”. Most options dont really offer that balance between protein and other nutrients he seeks for. He is always trying to look for food that fullfils his macronutrient necessities.

• Do you usually have a food preference when you decide to eat on campus? Yes he does. He will usually eat in or around the campus.
• What type of food (specifically) do you usually eat? If he eats inside campus, he goes to the main cafeteria where they offer a “plain menu that chances” (he refers to what we in Colombia know as corrientazo). When he eats outside of campus, he goes to either an Arabic or asian/Japanese place where they both offer bowls. These bowls consist mostly of rice, a lot of vegetables and 1 protein, which is usually chicken as it is his personal favorite.
• Would you say that the daily specials in a restaurant are something important to consider? Yes, it’s very important but it depends if the restaurant caters to his needs. He also thinks that daily specials are a good economic option as it is cheaper than a regular meal.
• Do you feel there’s something missing in the current dining scene around the university? If so, what? As previously said, he says there is a very diverse gastronomic offer on and around campus and he thinks there is no particular food missing on campus. For him, most meals have a lot of sides and are mostly based on potatoes and rice but not a great amount of protein (which is an important factor for him). He describes the dishes on and around campus to have a third of vegetables, a third of carbohydrates and a third of proteins when he looks for dishes in which half of the plate is protein.
• Do you feel that a loyalty card is an important feature for you to frequent a restaurant or establishment? Yes, absolutely. It does help to get rewards when eating frequently in the same place. However, loyalty cards would only really work for places that you really like and frequent. There is no use on loyalty cards from places that you won’t complete.

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Insights found

1. Nutritional Needs and Preferences: Adrian places a high priority on meals that provide a good balance of macronutrients, especially protein. He prefers dishes where at least half of the plate is protein, and he feels that many dining options around the university do not meet this requirement. This highlights an opportunity for new or current establishments to offer meals with high protein content or customizable options to meet specific dietary goals.

2. Reliance on Word-of-Mouth for Discovering New Places: Adrian typically learns about new dining options through friends rather than actively seeking them out. His primary method of discovering new restaurants is through personal recommendations. This suggests that social skills and voice to voice is the current most effective way to make recommendations or tell friends about trending spots or new places to eat around campus.

3. Economic Considerations and Importance of Daily Specials: Price is an important factor for Adrian when choosing where to eat. He values daily specials as they often offer a more economical option compared to regular meals. More people could benefit from knowing daily specials or discounts, helping budget-conscious users find affordable dining options.

4. Loyalty Programs as a Motivator: Adrian views loyalty cards as a significant incentive to frequent a restaurant. He appreciates the rewards that come with loyalty programs, but only if they are for places he regularly visits and enjoys. Some people could sometimes carry loyalty cards from different establishments, making it difficult to keep track of all the different establishments that have this type of features.

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Situations following the "What", "How", "Why" methodology

Situation	What	How	Why	Who
1. Long lines at the Cafeteria	A group of students is standing in a long line at the university's main cafeteria during lunchtime. Some students are holding trays, while others are scrolling through their phones or chatting with friends. The cafeteria is bustling with noise, and all of the tables are full of people.	The students appear to be a bit impatient, frequently shifting their weight from one foot to the other and occasionally glancing at the food options ahead. Some are smiling and laughing with friends, while others look tired or frustrated. The long wait seems to be affecting them negatively, causing a mix of boredom and mild irritation.	These students are likely in line because the cafeteria is one of the more affordable and convenient options on campus, especially during peak hours. The wait might be long because it’s a popular spot, and they are willing to endure the inconvenience because it offers meals that are familiar, quick, and generally reliable. Their reactions suggest that while they value the cafeteria, they are frustrated by the inefficiency and the time it takes to get their food.	The students in this scenario are likely a mix of undergraduates, possibly in their first or second year, who are budget-conscious and rely on the cafeteria for regular meals. They all come from diverse backgrounds, but share a common need for affordable and accessible food options during their busy schedules.
2. A student eatring alone in a quiet corner	A student is sitting alone at a small table in a quiet corner of a campus café in building C. She has a book open in front of her and is slowly eating a salad. The café is calm and only a few other people are scattered around.	The student is eating slowly and methodically, occasionally glancing at her book. She seems relaxed but somewhat pensive, perhaps enjoying the solitude. She’s not in a rush, savoring both her food and the peaceful atmosphere. Her demeanor suggests she is using this time as a break from the busyness of her day.	This student may have chosen this quiet corner because she values a calm environment where she can unwind and focus on her thoughts or studies. The choice of a salad suggests she is mindful of her diet, perhaps seeking something light and healthy. She might be using this time to recharge mentally, away from the crowded and noisy parts of campus or even the school activities she needs to hand in.	The student is likely someone who prefers introspection and values alone time. She may be academically driven, possibly a graduate student or an upper-year undergraduate, and appreciates a healthy lifestyle. Her background could involve a disciplined routine, where she integrates both mental and physical well-being into her daily life.
3. Friends discussing where to eat	A group of three friends is standing outside a classroom building, debating where to eat lunch. They’re each craving for the same thing but debating on which place is the most affortable, least busy and tastier. One friend seems particularly convinced that he has just the place but the line up usually goes for at least 30 minutes before ordering.	The friends are engaged in a lively discussion, with each one offering different suggestions. They appear excited but slightly indecisive, as they weigh the pros and cons of each dining option. The conversation is positive, with lots of laughter and good-natured teasing, but it’s clear they’re struggling to make a decision.	The group is likely trying to find a place that satisfies everyone’s tastes and dietary preferences while also fitting within their budget. Their indecision might stem from the sheer number of options or a desire to try something new due to the fact that the first suggestion one of the friends made is very busy at that time of the day. They are using their phones to look up information because they want to ensure they make a choice that everyone will enjoy, taking into account each of their preferences.	These students are likely close friends who often eat together, perhaps juniors or seniors who have established routines and which is their favorite establishmente to regular but are also open to exploring new places. They are tech-savvy, comfortable using their phones to research options, and value each other’s opinions. Their backgrounds might include a shared interest in food or dining experiences, making their lunch choices an important part of their social interaction.
4. Student rushing to grab a quick bite	A student is hurrying through a food court on campus, scanning the available options. She grabs a pre-made sandwich and a bottle of water from a self serving machine, quickly pays for it, and starts eating while walking towards her next class.	The student is moving quickly, clearly in a rush. She’s eating the sandwich with one hand while holding her phone in the other, occasionally glancing at the time. Her pace and focus suggest she’s under some stress, trying to make the most of the few minutes she has before her next obligation. She seems slightly anxious but determined to get some food in before continuing with her day.	This student is likely grabbing a quick meal because she has a packed schedule with little time for a proper lunch break. She might have chosen the sandwich because it’s the fastest and healthiest option available around and can be eaten on the go. Her behavior suggests that she prioritizes convenience over meal quality due to time constraints, likely driven by academic pressures or a tight timetable.	The student could be someone with a demanding schedule, possibly a double major or someone involved in multiple extracurricular activities. She might be a driven and ambitious person, focused on efficiency and time management. Her background could involve a strong academic commitment, leaving her with little time for leisurely meals, making quick and convenient food options a necessity.

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Audio of the interview

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/08ade485-cc74-47e1-a88c-8fdb4a0e551f