Oludare Pelumi takes us back to the very first time he built a food delivery mobile app. He recalls it to be an experience he clearly hasn’t forgotten and, honestly, wears like a badge of honor.
What First Time moment or experience would you like to share with us?
One unforgettable first-time experience for me was designing my very first mobile app. It started as just an idea between me, my tutor, and a friend, but turning it into something real, designing the UI, watching users interact with it, and getting feedback was truly surreal. That moment made me realize how powerful tech can be in solving real-life problems. It wasn’t just about building something cool, it was about creating something that could help people. From that day, I knew this was more than a skill, it was purpose😊
Were you in school when the idea came to place?
Not exactly, I wasn’t in school when the idea came. It actually came up during my time at Bramhz Digital Hub while working on multiple design case studies. I had just finished a fintech concept when the idea for a food delivery app struck me. I realized how much room there still is for improving user experience in that space, so I decided to take it up as a personal project.
Oh cool. Kindly walk us through the Genesis of this First’s
So one of my favorite ‘first-time’ experiences was designing a food delivery app called Foodiverse. It’s still in the design phase, but the entire process has been a meaningful milestone for me.
It started with the idea of solving a real-life problem, how frustrating it can be to order food on platforms that feel clunky or uninspiring. I wanted to create something simple, fresh, and user-centered.
My role covered everything from UX writing to designing the onboarding experience and the core screens. I started with the tone of voice, I didn’t want it to sound robotic. So I wrote with a warm, conversational feel to make users feel at ease, like the app understood what they needed.
To be clear, the first mobile app you mean here is Foodiverse?
Yeah
Okay, go on.
For the onboarding, I focused on making it intuitive and engaging. I used clean visuals, simple copy, and a quick walkthrough to introduce the app’s features without overwhelming new users. The idea was to reduce friction and make the user feel like they already understood the app from the start.
Beyond that, I worked on the dashboard, order flow, and food category layouts, making sure the visual hierarchy guided users naturally, and that the experience felt effortless from browsing to checkout.
Even though the app isn’t live yet, working on Foodiverse taught me a lot about designing for clarity, empathy, and emotional connection. That was my first full-cycle experience handling both UX writing and UI design in one project, and it really shaped how I approach design now.
I expect this to be stressful or it wasn’t? Lol
Don’t get me wrong, it came with its challenges, like balancing good UX with clean visual design, or making sure every word on the screen felt intentional during the UX writing phase. But because I genuinely enjoyed the process and believed in the problem I was solving, it felt more exciting than exhausting.
Yeah, it’s necessary to enjoy what you love doing, not just do it because you have to.
Yes😊
I was basically building something I’d personally love to use, so the stress didn’t weigh me down, it kind of fueled me instead😁
You’re talking like only you carried the whole project on your head,lol
Lol no o 😒 it wasn’t a group project at all. Everyone had their own separate thing, some were working on fashion apps, others on fintech and so on. Mine just happened to be a food delivery app, and I handled it from start to finish. So yeah, I really did carry the whole thing on my head, because it was mine alone😌
😂 Any future plans when you eventually launch it?
Yeah, I definitely have plans in mind for when it eventually launches, still hoping for that. I’m not entirely sure yet whether I’ll sell the design or move forward with front and back-end developers to bring it to life fully and see how far we can take it. But at the same time, if the right opportunity comes along to sell or license it, I’m open to that too. For now, I’m just focused on making sure the idea is solid and user-centered.
Did you have trouble with your personal living during this period? Like eating, sleeping?..
Honestly, balancing everything was a bit of a stretch. I definitely had days where sleep felt like a luxury and meals were either late or just skipped entirely 😅. But I was so into the project that it didn’t always feel like stress, I just kept reminding myself why I started. Still, looking back, I probably could’ve done better at taking care of myself too.
Was/is any reward being given or something?
No reward was attached, actually. It was more of a personal and portfolio project. But to be honest, the real reward for me was the experience, getting to work through the process from UX writing to designing the interface, and seeing the idea take shape. It really helped me grow and challenged me in all the right ways😊
It hasn’t launched yet. I remove you saying you found it real when users interact with the app. Users can interact with an app without it being launched?
Yes, definitely. Even though the app isn’t live on app stores yet, users can still interact with it through high-fidelity prototypes. I used tools like Figma to design clickable mockups that simulate the actual user experience. This allowed me to test user flows, gather feedback, and validate design decisions early on.
In fact, during the design phase of Foodiverse, I created interactive onboarding screens and user journeys that stakeholders and fellow designers could explore. It gave everyone a clear picture of how the app would function, even before development started.
So while the app itself isn’t in production yet, the interactive design process allowed for real engagement and iteration based on user feedback.
Wait, this is amazing. You’re doing amazingly well
Thank you😊, my head is swelling 😁
Is it still ongoing or you put a pause to it for now
Well, At the moment, it’s on hold, not because I’ve lost interest, but because I want to approach the next phase with the right structure and team… The design aspect is mostly complete, but moving into development requires collaboration with frontend and backend engineers, and I want to be intentional about who I bring on board.
So while it’s paused in terms of development, the vision is very much alive. I’m still refining a few elements and gathering insights that could make the final product even stronger💪
You genuinely know what you want and it’s good to see. So, what would you focus on instead? Give yourself time and just focus on work?
Honestly, I’m just focusing on whichever work or opportunity comes my way right now, no room for being idle. I need to chase the bag and stay consistent, you know 😊. One step at a time, but with purpose.
If time was turned back? Is there anything you think you could have done differently?
If time was turned back, I think I’d spend more time on user research before jumping into the design phase. I started with a clear idea and vision, but looking back, gathering more direct input from potential users could’ve shaped some of the decisions better.
Also, maybe I’d have documented the process more thoroughly, it helps when you want to show your journey, not just the final screens. But overall, I learned a lot, so I don’t regret how it went.
Can you share a picture of what this mobile app looks like? Maybe before or after?
Wow, this looks good. Well done. If someone is about to go through that same “first,” what would you tell them to expect? the good, the bad, and the funny?
If someone is about to go through that same ‘first,’ I’d say…, expect a mix of excitement, challenge, and a good amount of late-night second-guessing😅. The good part? You get to turn an idea into something real and personal. The bad? It can get overwhelming, especially if you’re handling everything solo like I did with Foodiverse. But the funny part? You’ll start arguing with your screen like it owes you something😄
If they’re fully prepared and devoted, it’s definitely a good thing to do…
Not like I’ve been making money from it yet, but hopefully someday I will. It’s all part of the process and growth😊
If your experience was a movie title, what would it be?
Designing Under Pressure: The Birth of Foodiverse 😂
