Case Study: Designing Coffee House App

A comprehensive overhaul of an online store to enhance user engagement and sales.

Introduction

Coffee House is a mobile application concept designed to provide coffee lovers with a seamless way to order and pick up fresh-grounded coffee from their favorite local coffee shops. The project was developed as part of the Google UX Design Course on Coursera, with a focus on enhancing the customer experience through a user-friendly, efficient ordering process.

Research and Discovery

To understand the needs of coffee consumers, thorough research was conducted:

• User Interviews: Spoke to frequent coffee buyers, baristas, and coffee shop owners to identify pain points in the ordering process.
• Competitive Analysis: Studied existing coffee ordering apps like Starbucks and Blue Bottle to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement.

Key Insights:

• Users prefer a quick, hassle-free ordering experience with minimal clicks.
• Customization options (e.g., milk choice, sugar level) are crucial.
• Order tracking and pickup time estimation enhance user convenience.

Design Process

1. Ideation and Wireframing

The primary goal was to design an app that is simple, fast, and intuitive for coffee lovers. Key considerations:

• Minimalistic interface for quick navigation.
• One-tap reordering for frequent users.
• Live order tracking for transparency.

2. Branding & UI Design

The visual identity was crafted to evoke a warm, inviting, and premium coffee experience:

• Color Palette: A mix of rich brown, cream, and warm orange to reflect the essence of freshly brewed coffee.
• Typography:
  • Headings: Poppins (Modern and sleek)
  • Body Text: Lora (Elegant and readable)
• Imagery: High-resolution coffee visuals and cafe ambiance photos.

3. Key Features & User Flow

The app includes several key features to enhance the user experience:

• Homepage: Displays nearby coffee houses with a search and filter feature.
• Menu & Customization: Users can select their preferred coffee, customize ingredients, and choose their pickup time.
• Order & Payment: Secure payment options including card, UPI, and wallet integration.
• Order Tracking: Real-time updates on order preparation and estimated pickup time.
• Loyalty Rewards: Points-based system for frequent buyers to redeem discounts.

Challenges & Solutions

1. Simplifying the Ordering Process

Challenge: Reducing the time taken to place an order.

Solution: Introduced quick-order options with saved preferences for repeat customers.

2. Encouraging User Engagement

Challenge: Retaining users and encouraging repeat purchases.

Solution: Added a rewards program and personalized offers based on user history.

3. Ensuring Smooth Navigation

Challenge: Avoiding information overload.

Solution: Used a clean, card-based UI with a simple bottom navigation bar.

Results & Impact

• Fast and Convenient: Users could order their favorite coffee in under 30 seconds.
• Positive Feedback: Test users appreciated the intuitive design and seamless customization options.
• Increased Retention: Early testing showed users returning for the loyalty rewards program.

Conclusion

The Coffee House App was designed to provide an effortless and enjoyable coffee-ordering experience. By integrating user needs with a sleek, modern design, the app successfully enhances customer convenience and engagement.

Future Enhancements

• AI-based recommendations for new coffee flavors based on user preferences.
• Subscription model for daily or weekly coffee deliveries.
• Integration with smart assistants for voice-activated ordering.