“Crafting Unique Experiences: UX/UI Design in Coffee Shops”

E-Commerce / Practicioner’s Website

Ashley Morales
Bootcamp Sprint Design
5 min readApr 4, 2024

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featuring: Carlos Gómez Cartagena, Carlos Nina, Mistral Cedano y Ashley Morales

Studying Local puertorrican’s coffee shop — https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hijos%20de%20la%20gran%20fruta

In today’s bustling world, where moments of tranquility are cherished, the experience offered by a coffee shop transcends the mere act of sipping a beverage. It transforms into a sanctuary where individuals seek respite, connection, and indulgence. Crafting the ultimate coffee shop experience demands a delicate balance of sensory delights, social ambiance, and personalized service. From the aromatic allure of freshly brewed coffee to the comforting embrace of cozy interiors, every detail plays a pivotal role in curating an environment that fosters moments of joy and relaxation. By prioritizing quality, innovation, and community engagement, coffee shops can elevate themselves beyond mere purveyors of beverages, becoming indispensable havens where patrons forge unforgettable memories and meaningful connections.

In our project’s initial phase, we aim to empathize with our stakeholders: restaurant owners, employees, and prospective customers.

😬 Certainties: Our local coffee shop ensures a seamless experience with an easy-to-use table reservation platform. We pride ourselves on our inclusive menu, catering to various dietary needs, including vegetarian, keto, and vegan options. With clear health and safety protocols in place, customers can enjoy their visit with peace of mind. Our active social media presence keeps the community engaged and informed. Plus, we constantly refresh our menu with seasonal variations, ensuring each visit is a unique and delightful experience.

🤔 Suppositions: At our local coffee shop, might have the option to choose from various delivery services such as our in-house staff, Uber Eats, Doordash, or Uva (our local Puerto Rican delivery option), or you could possibly opt for quick pickup instead. You may want to keep an eye out for any potential promotions we might offer, possibly designed to treat our valued customers and perhaps entice newcomers. Perhaps you could enjoy convenience and potentially receive rewards with every visit, but this could vary depending on the circumstances.

🤨 Doubts: At our local coffee shop, we address common concerns head-on. Our agile approach ensures quick adaptation to consumer trends. We maintain a reliable supply chain for quality ingredients and proactively plan for potential economic challenges. Aware of our competitors’ proximity, we continuously refine our offerings. Additionally, we invest in technology to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.

After reviewing this and analyzing the competition, we conducted a SWOT analysis. We identified the restaurant’s strengths, such as its name recognition and robust social media presence, as well as weaknesses, such as the absence of a website. We also identified potential growth opportunities and threats, such as the restaurant’s potential failure to adapt swiftly to shifts in consumer preferences.

We then proceeded to conduct a competitor analysis to assess our performance. In this phase, we researched several nearby competitors to understand their similarities and points of differentiation. Our next step in the empathize phase involved conducting a user survey to gain insights into various brunch preferences. The survey garnered 23 responses from individuals aged 18 to 55 years old, with 65% falling within the 25 to 34 age bracket. A significant majority (78%) indicated a preference for brunching with friends, while 52% expressed a willingness to spend between $16 and $20 per plate. Notably, 95% of respondents cited food quality as the primary reason for returning to a restaurant. Interestingly, most brunch users in our survey do not make reservations and tend to avoid revisiting establishments where they had an unsatisfactory food experience.

After analyzing an affinity diagram and an empathy map, we were able to conclude the type of individuals who attend brunches, thus identifying the needs they have when visiting a local coffee shop (in our case, in Puerto Rico).

We also did a “Emotional Journey Map” is a tool that visualizes the emotions and experiences of users as they interact with a product or service. In a restaurant or café context, it helps us understand how customers feel from considering a visit to after their dining experience, identifying areas for improvement in their journey.

When conducting the Emotional Journey Map, we identified the main issue:

“When brunch enthusiasts cannot find enough information online about a restaurant, they doubt the food options and quality, leading them to choose to go elsewhere instead. They need a way to familiarize themselves with what a restaurant offers before deciding to visit it.”

We opted for 2 sitemaps to improve the mobile experience for restaurant patrons accessing the virtual waiter. This feature, available on the restaurant’s app or website, enables customers to virtually access services like viewing the menu, placing orders, requesting special attention, and receiving dish recommendations. By integrating these functions into our digital platform, we aim to offer a more convenient and efficient experience, particularly for those who prefer ordering and accessing information quickly from their mobile devices.

UserFlow

Then during the testing phase, specifically in Prototype Usability Testing, we conducted 3 tasks and 3 questions, resulting in 9 completed responses within a total time of 1 minute and 30 seconds. Remarkably, 56% of users found the website’s information easy to comprehend and successfully achieved their search goals within their anticipated time frame.

Before we begin, we advanced with our high-fidelity prototype. We presented a product inspired by the mountains of Puerto Rico and local landscapes, opting for a minimalist design approach.”
Hi Fi Mockup Design

In conclusion, the integration of a meticulously designed website is indispensable in catering to the dynamic requirements of today’s restaurant clientele. A website serves as a pivotal platform for facilitating online reservations, seamless ordering, menu exploration, and effective information sharing. By incorporating these essential features, restaurants can elevate customer satisfaction levels and optimize operational efficiency. Moreover, a robust online presence cultivates deeper connections between restaurants and their patrons, fostering loyalty and engagement. Embracing digital platforms not only positions restaurants to excel in a competitive market but also underscores their commitment to adaptability and customer-centric service, thus ensuring long-term success in the industry

😉 Feel free to explore the final design project by clicking on this link! :

https://www.figma.com/proto/cF5vJodJH2BR87zPjDELiq/Project-2-%7C-Carlos%2C-Ashley%2C-Mistral%2C-Carlos?page-id=450%3A7528&type=design&node-id=517-11935&viewport=403%2C366%2C0.09&t=nuPWY7L2dAdyfUzg-1&scaling=scale-down&starting-point-node-id=476%3A10957&mode=design

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