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Preface
The university dining hall is more than just a place to eat—it is a social hub that has the potential to foster community, improve student satisfaction, and contribute to overall well-being. However, limitations in its current design and offerings often prevent it from achieving this potential. This project explores the dining hall experience through the lens of user-centered research, aiming to redefine its role as a space that supports both functional and experiential needs. By leveraging academic research methodologies, the project provides a framework for enhancing the dining hall’s value to students.
Duration: 10 Weeks
Team: Mansi Shah, Jinny Kim, Muskan Maini, Davon Valverde, Xinhao Wei
My Role: Design Research & Insight Translation by Lextant

Problem
Despite its importance, the university dining hall has limited impact on students’ overall experience and is predominantly used for convenience or out of obligation. Key issues include a lack of menu variety, inconsistent food quality, uninspiring ambiance, limited social engagement opportunities, and logistical inefficiencies. Without targeted improvements, the dining hall risks remaining a missed opportunity to enrich the university experience and foster a sense of community.
Process
The project followed a multi-method research approach to gain a deep understanding of student needs and preferences. Data was collected using a combination of focus group discussions, surveys, cultural probes, sensory cues, and interviews with university students. These methods captured both qualitative and quantitative insights into the current dining hall experience. The data was then analyzed to identify pain points, preferences, and opportunities for enhancement. Based on the findings, design principles and guidelines were developed to guide future improvements in areas such as menu diversity, food quality, ambiance, social interactions, and convenience. The process emphasized a user-centered approach, ensuring that the recommendations directly addressed the needs and expectations of students.


Deliverables
The final deliverables for the project include a comprehensive research report and actionable recommendations for improving the university dining hall experience. The report summarizes key findings from the research and presents a set of design principles and guidelines to inform the development of dining hall improvements. Specific recommendations address critical areas such as expanding menu variety, enhancing food quality, creating a welcoming and engaging ambiance, promoting a stronger social atmosphere, and improving convenience through better layout and service options. These deliverables provide a clear and practical roadmap for universities to transform their dining halls into spaces that are not only functional but also enjoyable and impactful for students.
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