Microwave, Simplified
Redesigning a familiar appliance through user research,
interaction design and usability testing
A hybrid interface redesign exploring how a familiar microwave
could become easier to understand and operate. The project
began with user research and observations, followed by
persona development, scenario mapping,
interface planning, physical prototyping and usability testing.
Where I Started
Microwaves are designed to make everyday cooking easier,
yet I noticed that people often use only a small number of their
available functions.
This made me curious:
Why do users avoid functions that are already available to
them?
As part of the team, I began exploring how people actually use
microwaves in everyday situations and where the interaction
becomes confusing.
Understanding the Existing Experience
I started by looking at existing microwave interfaces and
understanding how their controls, presets and feedback systems
work.
I was particularly interested in:
How functions are organised
How users understand button labels
How much information is presented at once
How the microwave communicates its current state
Where users are expected to remember rather than
recognise an action
I also looked at usability principles such as visibility of system
status, recognition rather than recall, consistency and error
prevention to evaluate the existing interaction.
Talking to Users
I participated in our primary research through user
interviews, surveys and observations.
We spoke to people with different levels of
microwave experience, including a college student,
an office worker, a domestic helper and a senior citizen.
One thing that stood out to me was that people weren’t
necessarily interested in learning every function of the microwave.
They wanted to complete a simple task without having to figure
out the machine first.
One response captured this behaviour particularly well:
“I just press the 30-second button multiple times, I don’t even
know what other buttons do.”
This became an important direction for me:
The problem wasn’t only the number of functions. It was
how those functions were communicated.
Personas
Persona: The Home Baker
Name: Meenal Shah
Age: 34
Occupation: Home-based Baker
Lives: Thane, Mumbai
🎯 Goals: Defrost ingredients and soften butter quickly,
Melt butter and chocolate evenly, Bake using the microwave when
possible
⚠️ Pain Points: Microwave presets don’t match her baking needs,
Lacks precise control over temperature and time, No
dedicated baking or melting mode, Buttons feel generic and not
user-friendly for baking
Scenario:
Meenal Shah, a 34-year-old baker in Thane, struggles with her
microwave’s lack of baking presets.
Guesswork often ruins ingredients. She dreams of a quiet,
efficient microwave with labeled baking modes and smart
alerts to simplify her multitasking and ensure perfect results
every time.
problem statement
Meenal Shah is a 34 year old home based baker in Mumbai
who needs to use a microwave to defrost, soften, melt
ingredients and bake because current microwave
presets don’t cater to her specific baking needs like defrosting,
melting, temperature control.
storyboarding
Close up
Big picture
user flow
Information Architecture
physical wireframes
digital wireframes
prototype
user testing
Methods: In-Person Testing
Participants: College students, home baker, and active users of
similar appliances
Findings:
Participants gave positive feedback on the tactile buttons, number
dial, and screen size. The idea of a larger screen was well-
received for better visibility.
Participants suggested improvements such as:
Error alert for incorrect temperature settings
Add icons to made recognition easy
Prominent Start/Stop buttons
Clearer layout for smoother navigation
Language selection option for accessibility
Food preference filter, including veg/non-veg mode, to personalize
the experience
User Quote:
“I like how the buttons are tactile and I get feedback of the button
being pressed.”
screens
physical model
renders
existing microwave
redesigned microwave
