The Reimagining Campus Food Project

The Reimagining Campus Food project was conducted at the Srishti Manipal Institute (SMI), as a collaborative project with Veda Shetye and Nikita Dadhbhawala. The main goal was to understand any shortcomings in the service at the SMI canteen. The primary user group was SMI students, faculty, and staff members.

Dismantling Process: We began by assessing the current level of satisfaction among students, faculty, and staff regarding campus food services and identified the strengths and weaknesses of the existing food offerings. We also investigated the diverse preferences and dietary requirements of the campus community, determining if there were specific dietary restrictions or cultural preferences that needed to be accommodated. Furthermore, we evaluated the quality and safety of the food being served on campus, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and standards. Lastly, we assessed the affordability of campus food for students and staff, and compared prices with off-campus alternatives to understand competitiveness.

Empathetic Exploration: We gathered data and used it to inform our design choices and solutions. We proposed potential concepts for the catering team and relevant authorities at Srishti Manipal Institute to consider for implementation.

Innovative Solutions: We decided to leverage technology and developed an App and Kiosk that would be connected to the students ID. The kiosk would be placed at the canteen allowing for better maintenance and accessibility. However, we intended not to take away from the experience of going to the canteen itself, as the place in itself acts as a space of coming together.