As a problem solver, looking for problems and finding out solutions, there was 1 that became apparent to me.
A local business that specialised in shakes and sweets has 2 units. 1 unit, that was near to me, was obviously struggling.
As a seasonal product, with a small space, it was rammed in hot weather and empty for most of the other time. Being a static unit meant that they couldn’t inspire motivation and chase the demand (like ice cream vans). Therefore, the product, including the space was key to success.
My observations concluded there were issues with the location, but this was somewhat out of my scope to solve.
What was apparent were:
- Long queues at peak times
- No regular custom
- Other products to fill the gap weren’t impactful
- Lack of consistent branding/imagery and unclear menu
How could I, as a UX and graphic designer, potentially help to solve these business problems?
I started by thinking: what does success look like? Therefore, I created a moodboard of other similar businesses.
And, what was suitable for the location, the target market and its actual audience?
With several primary schools and a secondary school within a 10 minute walk, the main audience was clear. The target audience was more skewed for small families: a parent, a child, or for adults that were going down a nostalgia trip for retro sweets.
There was not the physical space for larger groups (of teenagers), larger families (extended family groups) or an organised queueing system.
What did consistent branding across the multiple touchpoints look like?
With some initial branding ideas, here is where the project ends.
So far, I have been able to start the vision of what the app could look like, but time constraints and other personal projects have been completed instead.
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