Vegan Check - Turning Plant-based finds into a local, searchable map
UX/UI Design for a community-led vegan discovery app
This project focuses on a community-driven platform that helps people find plant-based products nearby while giving shops clear demand signals.
Context & Role
This project is an MVP (Minimum Viable Product), developed with a "AI" approach to accelerate development and capture essential user experience.
Role: As the Product Designer, I led the MVP development, focusing on rapid iteration and a 'vibe coding' philosophy to bring the concept to life efficiently.
Tools: Figma (for swift UI/UX prototyping and collaboration), Supabase (for efficient backend services and data management), and Lovable.dev (for front-end development, embracing the 'vibe coding' method for quick and intuitive implementation).
Goal: Help people find plant-based products nearby, and help local shops understand demand.
Competitor Analysis
HappyCow
What it is:
A well-known global platform for finding vegan and vegetarian restaurants.
Strengths:
- Large global database
- Highly trusted brand
- Great for travel and eating out
Limitations Compared to Vegan Check:
- Restaurant-oriented, not designed for product discovery
- Does not tell you where to buy specific items nearby
- Lacks user-generated product posts with exact locations
- No demand signals like Checks or Saves
Takeaway:
HappyCow helps you find vegan places to eat.
- Vegan Check helps you find vegan products to buy.
abillion (Asia)
What it is:
A review-based social platform for vegan products, restaurants, and sustainable brands.
Strengths:
- Active global review community
- Good for discovering new plant-based brands
- Broad categories (food, cosmetics, fashion)
Limitations Compared to Vegan Check:
- Feed is global, not local-first
- Does not show where a product is available near you
- Reviews and posts are not tied to store locations
- Focuses on opinions, not availability
- Less useful for in-the-moment shopping decisions
Takeaway:
abillion helps you review products.
- Vegan Check helps you find products nearby in real time.
Why Vegan Check is Different:
Vegan Check focuses exclusively on local product availability, combining community posts, precise locations, and real demand signals (Checks & Saves) to help users find what they need, exactly where they are.
Understanding the Vegan Community
We surveyed over 420 participants in vegan groups on Facebook, Instagram, and the UK to validate needs and behaviours. Responses were gathered through Google Forms and in-person interviews. (Events, Restaurants).
The Problem
People love sharing product discoveries. On social media, countless groups exist where vegans ask questions, exchange finds, and help each other.
However, when users move to a new city or travel, discovery becomes difficult.
72% told us they rely on multiple local groups to find vegan products, and more than half described this as confusing or time-consuming.
People end up:
- Joining several different groups depending on where they are
- Posting the same questions again and again
- Waiting hours (or days) for answers
- Or turning to Google, which often shows products that aren’t available nearby
This fragmentation directly creates a gap for fast, local product discovery.
User Reseach & Key Insights
- 68% identify as vegan, 27% vegetarian — strong base community
- 85% check labels regularly → trust is essential
- 70% discover new items via social media, not apps → opportunity gap
- 63% have bought products without knowing if they were vegan → pain point
- 72% rely on multiple local groups to find vegan options → need for one centralized, location-aware platform
Clean, Accessible, and Community-Drive
The final interface was designed to feel like a local vegan group, familiar but structured.
Key features
Map + List feed
Quick product posting with location
Likes and Comments
Section for top contributors
I created user journeys, wireframes, and early tests to validate posting flow and discovery speed.
Encouraging Positive Participation
i added a gentle gamification system to make participation rewarding
Badges for verified posts and consistency
Recognizing active and trustworthy contributions.
Community credibility through visible profiles
Users build reputation with every helpful contribution.
Checkers leaderboard highlighting trusted contributors
Shining a light on the most reliable community members.
Impact and Learning
Vegan discovery app achieved significant milestones and provided valuable insights during its initial phase.
Early Adoption
Users joined from Ireland, UK, and other countries including USA, Canada, Vietnam, and Spain, demonstrating strong international interest.
Featured by Specialized Websites
Featured by specialized websites like La Zona Veggie, Vevolution, and Vegconomist, boosting credibility and reach.
Organic Growth
Grew organically — zero ads or funding, highlighting inherent market need and community-driven success.
