This project was part of the Interaction Design 1 Module exploring problem solving through a design solution.
The goal was to improve the experience of an university cafe on the University of Sussex campus by solving a not yet identified problem or find a new approach to an issue not yet solved by using a user-centred process.
My chosen cafe was the ACCA Cafe Bar.
On their website the café describes itself as „(...) a beautiful, airy space, full of plants and natural light. The full-length windows open out onto a terrace and lawn outside, bathed in the evening light at sunset each day.”
They offer the café as place to enjoy with children and dogs.
Their menu is locally sourced and incorporates seasonal offers.
The café was furnished by „(...) Lewes-based interior designers Jeannine Inglis Hall and Gary Campbell [] with a distinctive combination of refurbished Basil Spence chairs, mixed with bespoke oak tables (created by local designers) and mid-century sofas and armchairs. The bar itself is a beautiful curved concrete structure with a zinc top, created to chime with the original materials used in the building.”
Above you can see their flyer to get further insights into their aesthetics.
After conducting a variety of research including qualitative research such as interviews and quantitative research such as questionnaires and observations I concluded the following problem statement:
"Improving the customer experience in the moment by eliminating/minimising issues related to spilling and/or carrying orders from the counter to a table. as my problem. The problem might not seem an immense struggle afterwards but could enhance the customer experience in the moment."
Based on my research I also created Personas to act as stakeholders in this project.
They show the three main people that will interact with the final product:
Student Customer
(University) Staff Customer
Staff Member
I then started my ideation process by creating a moodboard to visualise my products context before exploring a variety of concepts through multiple rounds of sketching.
Once I had chosen my idea of a tray with a cut out I further explored the idea in sketches and lof-fi cardboard prototypes.
Finally based on feedback and ideation I created the final design version in CAD using SolidWorks. Additionally, I created technical drawings giving detailed information on the size of the different parts.
These measurements were also used to create the final high-fi prototype using wood and cork the desired materials for the final product. This was then used for a final test in which the concept was proven successful.
