A layout of mobile phones with the Moonlight Cafe app

Moonlight Cafe

Moonlight Cafe aims to enhance the cafe experience by introducing a mobile ordering system. The primary objective is to expedite the ordering process, allowing users to skip the wait line. The Moonlight Cafe was developed not only to provide mobile ordering but also to allow customers to schedule pickup times and personalize their beverage choices.

Role
UX Designer - Wireframing, prototyping, interaction, competitive audits, and ideation.
UX Research - User testing, surveys and interviewing.

The Goal
The goal was to streamline and improve the cafe experience with a mobile ordering system, reducing wait times and enhancing customer satisfaction through personalized choices.

The Challenge
The problem was inefficiencies in traditional cafe ordering, including long wait times and order inaccuracies, prompting the need for a solution that optimizes the user experience.

Tools
Figma, miro, pen & pencil

Scope
6 Months
MAR 2023 - AUG 2023

The User & Research

The target audience for the Moonlight Cafe app is diverse, including individuals like Ryan Conner, a Cyber Security Expert. These users seek a seamless and efficient cafe experience. They value time-saving features and personalized options, desiring a solution that aligns with their busy schedules and specific needs.

• Order Accuracy:
Users encounter difficulties in receiving accurate orders due to miscommunication. The challenge lies in addressing this issue to enhance user satisfaction.

• Impatience and Understaffing:
Users tend to become impatient when faced with long waiting times, exacerbated by the cafe's understaffing. Finding a solution to reduce wait times is crucial for user satisfaction.

• Desire for Advanced Order Preparation:
Users express a desire for a system that allows orders to be prepared in advance, enabling a prompt pick-up and departure process. Designing a feature that caters to this need enhances overall efficiency.

• Time Constraints:
Users, including professionals like Ryan Conner, face time constraints that hinder their ability to stand in line, place an order, and wait for beverage preparation. The challenge is to create an efficient system that accommodates their schedules.

Card

These challenges and constraints shape the design decisions for the Moonlight Cafe app, aiming to address specific pain points and provide a tailored solution for the target audience.

Following an extensive investigation, it has been determined that certain users are in pursuit of a more expeditious and precise approach to placing coffee orders. The research revealed key pain points such as miscommunication, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, and erroneous or incomplete requests. These insights have guided the design process to address these specific challenges effectively.

Beginning the design

Using Crazy 8's

As I delved into the initial design concepts, my focus was on incorporating key features to address user needs and challenges identified during the research phase. In developing the main home screen, my objective was to include a space for promos, popular drinks, and a preview of the coffee. The design encompasses a menu and navigation bar. These sketches represent the final designs concluded from my exploration using the "crazy 8's" method.

Crazy 8's
Wireframe

Wireframing & Prototyping​

While developing the wireframes, I focused on creating a user-friendly interface for the Moonlight Cafe app, incorporating key elements like promos, popular drinks, and a coffee preview on the main home screen. The design prioritizes seamless navigation, featuring a menu and navigation bar for easy accessibility. These wireframes embody design decisions influenced by user needs and the goal of enhancing the overall cafe ordering experience.

Usability Study

Our studies found that users favor quick card scanning at checkouts, have limited interest in the tracker feature, and seek alternative payment methods like PayPal or Google Pay.

Usability Study

Insights

•  Four out of five users found the tracker feature not useful, suggesting the need for a more beneficial replacement.
Three out of five users expressed a preference for a faster payment method, indicating dissatisfaction with the current card entry process.
Four out of five users completed tasks easily, indicating a well-understood app layout that could still benefit from some modifications.
Two out of five users made mistakes but found alternative ways to reach their goals, highlighting the presence of effective alternative navigation.
Two out of five users desire alternative payment methods, emphasizing the need to include in-app purchasing alternatives such as Google Pay or PayPal.

​​These insights emphasize the importance of efficiency and diverse options.

Finalizing the design

Implementing the feedback

I began finalizing the design and incorporating user feedback to shape the Moonlight Cafe app into a user-friendly and efficient ordering platform. Responding to insights that emerged during extensive user research, adjustments were made to features like the tracker and payment methods to better align with user preferences. Usability studies further validated the importance of streamlined interactions, influencing the integration of quick card scanning and user-friendly alternatives. Key design elements, such as promos and a coffee preview, were strategically included to elevate the overall user experience. The resulting app embodies a thoughtful synthesis of user insights and iterative refinement.

App sample of Moonlight CafePrototype

Conclusion

Throughout the design process, I learned valuable lessons from user feedback and research, shaping the Moonlight Cafe app into a more user-centric and efficient platform. The insights gathered, including user preferences for streamlined features and alternative payment methods, were instrumental in refining the app's design. The importance of quick card scanning and the desire for diverse payment options emerged as crucial considerations, guiding the implementation of user-friendly alternatives.​

Key Learnings

Efficiency Matters:
Users value efficient interactions, emphasizing the need to streamline features like the tracker and payment methods.

User-Friendly Alternatives:
Quick card scanning and diverse payment options enhance the overall user experience.

Iterative Refinement:
The design process is an ongoing journey, with user insights guiding iterative refinement for continuous improvement.

Possible Next Steps

Possible Next Steps: Looking ahead, potential enhancements could involve further optimizing the app based on real-world user feedback. Exploring additional features or partnerships for diverse payment options, such as Google Pay or PayPal, could further elevate the app's appeal. Continuous user engagement and feedback loops will be essential for refining the Moonlight Cafe app to meet evolving user needs and expectations.​This concludes the Moonlight Cafe app case study, showcasing the journey from user insights to a refined and user-friendly ordering experience.