Developing a Digital Palate

A cross-platform app built to help users track, manage, and return to the products, flavors, and brands they love.

Year

2024

Company

Palate Pilot

The Challenge

In a world of infinite options, remembering what you liked—and where you found it—is harder than it should be. Whether it’s a specific oat milk, a snack from a boutique grocer, or a shampoo that finally worked, people often struggle to track their preferences across shopping experiences.

When the creator of Palate Pilot approached me, they had a strong concept: a digital memory tool for personal taste—not a review site or shopping list, but something that helped people hold on to what they already love. What they needed was a partner to shape the idea into something real, memorable, and usable.

The challenge was to take that vision and turn it into an outward-facing brand, a clear product identity, and an intuitive experience—one that could meet users where they are, and integrate seamlessly into daily habits.

The Strategy

I began by developing the brand from the ground up—starting with naming, messaging, and visual identity. The concept fused two key ideas: palate, for personal taste, and pilot, for guidance and recall. The brand needed to feel smart and helpful, but still warm—something that invited everyday use without overpromising or overwhelming.

From there, I led the UX and UI design of the app itself. The product had to support both spontaneous moments (snapping a photo of a product on the go) and more intentional organization (filtering by category, tagging by store, or building curated lists). The interface emphasized simplicity and speed—allowing users to log what they love with minimal friction.

I designed a visual system grounded in bright color blocks, playful iconography, and swipe-based microinteractions that kept the experience light. Features like visual memory cues, flexible folders, and plain-language tags made the app adaptable to different user behaviors and needs.

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The Outcome

The result is a fully realized prototype that’s currently in testing—equipped with a strong brand identity, polished UI, and user-tested features that support real-life behaviors.

For the creator, having a name, story, and interface transformed the concept from an abstract idea into a tangible product. They now have a working system to test, pitch, and grow—complete with a clear narrative, visual language, and strategic foundation.

The app is already proving valuable to early testers, particularly neurodivergent users and busy professionals who appreciate the ability to quickly recall products they love—without relying on memory or trial and error.

What started as a simple idea—"I wish I could remember what I liked"—is now a branded, behaviorally driven tool designed to do exactly that.