Research Supervisor: Dr. Nasar um Minullah Virk
Ever stared at lines of code until they turned into grocery aisles? That is exactly what happened when our team took on redesigning Norfa’s digital presence for our Business Strategies course. What started as a consultancy project evolved into a full-scale prototype that reimagined how people interact with their local grocery store.
The challenge was clear: transform a traditional grocery chain into a digital-first experience. But we did not just want to create another shopping app – we wanted to solve real problems. Why should people still wait in lines in 2024? Why ca not your shopping app help you figure out dinner when you are staring at an empty fridge?
I led the technical architecture for our prototype app. The most interesting technical challenge was developing ChefGPT. We needed to create an AI system that could not only suggest recipes but also understand store inventory and seamlessly add items to shopping lists. This required building an API architecture that could handle:
- Recipe database integration
- Smart shopping list generation
- User preference learning
We built a fully functional prototype at norfa.app where users can test features including payment simulation. The project went beyond theoretical exercises – we created something people could actually use. Our team conducted user testing with real shoppers, iterating based on their feedback. This taught me valuable lessons about the intersection of technical capability and user needs.
The project showcased my ability to:
- Architect complex systems with multiple integrations
- Lead technical development in a team setting
- Balance innovation with practical constraints
- Turn user feedback into technical solutions
Working with teammates Salomé, Vytautė, Marta, Ąžuolas, and Milda taught me that the best technical solutions come from diverse perspectives. Under Dr. Virk’s guidance, we learned to push boundaries while staying grounded in real-world applicability.
Does this revolutionize grocery shopping? Perhaps not. But it demonstrates how technology can transform everyday experiences.