Order Ahead
A project done at WGU, for D652 - Design Applications. The objectives included:
Translate foundational design principles into practical UX solutions by moving from concept to storyboard, wireframe, and low-fidelity prototype. Emphasizes visual composition, interactivity, usability, and core user-centered design principles, including balance, consistency, aesthetics, and ethical considerations.
Project Overview
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This academic UX project focused on translating research insights into an early-stage design concept using storyboarding and low-fidelity wireframes. The goal was to explore how visual storytelling can be used to align user needs, emotional pain points, and business goals before moving into detailed design.
My Role
UX Designer (Student Project)
My Goal
Create two mid-fidelity wireframes for a proposed order-ahead app for a college coffee shop, keeping the app's goal in mind: Giving users the ability to order their coffee beforehand and easily see how busy the cafe is before they even set foot in it, thus allowing for reduced wait times and reduced stress for users.
Review The Research
Growing Pains
Increased demand led to long wait times, unclear menus, and inefficient ordering. For users on tight schedules, quick café stops became a source of frustration.
User Persona Overview
The primary user is a college student who is in tune with technology, has a demanding schedule, relies on their phone to manage daily tasks, and values efficiency.
User Problem
The user needs a faster and more convenient way to order café items because long wait times and unclear processes interfere with their already limited time and increase daily stress.
User Flow and Information Architechture
With the information now in front of me, I understand what users would want and need out of this app. I began mapping their journey from opening the app to picking up their order.
Storyboard
My translation of the user flow to a real user experience. Emphasizing the impact a certain feature will have on the lives of the user.
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Key design considerations include prioritizing core content based on what users would benefit from seeing and when, establishing a clear visual hierarchy, and defining intuitive navigation patterns with something that seemed familiar to the potential users.
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
Key Ux Decisions
Prioritizing Speed for Morning Users
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“Order Again” surfaces frequent purchases
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Quick access to current order tracking
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Minimal steps to start a new order
Information Hierarchy
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Current order status placed prominently
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Menu categories organized by familiarity and seasonality
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Card-based layout for quick scanning
Decision Support
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“How Busy Are We?” feature helps users time their orders
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Estimated pickup time displayed within order status
Navigation
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Persistent bottom navigation for quick movement between screens
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Menu icon provides deeper navigation options
With continued development, this app can help this newer cafe achieve its goals by better organizing foot traffic and addressing users' pain points, enabling more business and helping the cafe keep up with other cafes in the area and industry standards. The app will also allow users to do more in their day, reduce their stress, while still making time for a sweet treat to fuel their day.