RSVP
An efficient way for customers to locate restaurants that process the ability to host large parties without having to wait for a response from an event planner.
Users Instantly Access
Viable Locations
Menu Options
Course Selection
Alcohol Options
Floor Plans
Guest Itineraries
Party Cost Adherence
Directions From App
Why
What
Where
Portfolio Project
Native mobile app
Durham, NC
Role
Category
When
Designer, Researcher
Hospitality, Food & Beverage
April 2023 - May 2023
Why I made this project
10+ years in fine dining revealed recurring private party issues:
Uninformed Host / Guests
Last-Minute Changes
Timeline Adherence
Payment Problems
Unknown Party Itineraries
Miscommunications between host and organizer
$1 T
$900B
$800B
$700B
$600B
2015
2019
2023
$1.1 T
Market Research
The Claim
Corporate businesses frequently host dinners and functions, both locally and alternate locations.
Customers want to find venues easily, without waiting for business replies.
The Problem
Billion dollar restaurant industry lacks a searchable portal for event spaces.
Customers must contact private coordinators individually, creating unnecessary barriers.
This process wastes time and reduces productivity.
Competitive Analysis
After Analyzing the strength and weaknesses of the top 3 restaurant Hosting platforms I have concluded RSVP is a solution that fills a missing need.
App 1
App 2
App 3
The Good
Customers can see the availability for a large party
(App 1, App 2, App 3)
The Bad
Reservations for large parties are not set until confirmed by party coordinator
(App 1, App 2, App 3)
No large search capabilities to find available hosting restaurants.
(App 1, App 2, App 3)
Customers must reach out to all restaurants individually to find information on large party capabilities.
(App 1, App 2, App 3)
User Survey
I conducted a quick survey of 26 restaurant employees who deal with private parties on a regular basis on Twitter.
What’s the most important factor you take into account when dealing with a private party/event?
Menu Options
Customer Allergies
8 %
17 %
25 %
20 %
30 %
Scheduled Time Adherence
Alcohol Selection
AV Projector
Notable comments from Survey
Katie
Mark
Amy
There is nothing worse then a party walking in and because of an AV issue you have to reseat a 40 top
A party being 30 minutes late cascades problems, especially on a busy night
If your in time is 6pm you need to be in at 6pm, we have other customers
Problems From comments
Susan
I wasn’t able to book a party larger than 8 guests without calling the restaurant.
Danielle
It took 2 days to hear back from party coordinator on availability.
Phil
The amount of back and forth with the party coordinator was strenuous.
There is a need for seamless searches pertaining to locating restaurants that can accommodate large parties. There exists three main issues
Initial Research Shows
Efficiency:
Empowerment:
Transparency:
Customers want to quickly identify suitable venues without callbacks
Allowing customers to self-serve and make informed decisions
Access to real-time information
Personas
I created two personas based on the main two types of users for the app, the event planner and the restaurant party coordinator.
Amy Nguyen
Sales Trainer Manager
“When looking for a restaurant out of town for a large party, it would be nice to be able book our reservation and see food options without having to wait on a response”
Goals
Frustrations
Locate an out of town restaurant that can accommodate a large party
Having to call or email every restaurant to see if space is available
Regular dining options are shown most of the time, not private party menu’s
Once party is booked I have to create an itinerary and relay food questions to the restaurant
Finding the full menu options for parties online
Book large gathering and have an itinerary I can send to all attending
About Amy
As a Sales Training Manager, Amy is responsible for directing training workshops that are located across the United States. Along with creating entire workshops she needs to make sure all attendees are fed lunch and dinner. Finding a restaurant that can accommodate her needs is a timely operation that needs to be streamlined. Her time is best spent creating materials for her company and sales team.
Age: 37
College: UCLA
Location: San Deigo, Ca
Sarah Watson
Party Coordinator
“With all the different reservation Apps to choose from, there isn’t one that connects customers with detailed menu, seating, and availability on there computer.”
Goals
Give pertinent information in a timely manner
Secure potential customers quickly and effectively
Be able to communicate information quickly on one app
Frustrations
Sending out an email or call, waiting on response from potential client if not reached by initial call
Usually 2 to 3 interactions is needed to close a potential client based on all data presented
Texting multiple clients on my work phone can get cumbersome, if I could just pull up one source that has the clients iteneray
About Sarah
As a Party Coordinator, Sarah is in charge of facilitating large gatherings for companies or groups. Once contacted she reaches out and begins the process of giving menu options along with pricing options. She hosts a private meeting with the prospective client at the restaurant to show the different room selections. The process of finalizing menu options, seating, and pricing begins with what can be a strenuous journey.
Age: 44
College: NC State
Location: Durham, NC
Time to start designing!
Once I went through all of my research data, it was time to sketch out the first flows and the initial low fidelity wire frames.
Flow Diagram
To outline the necessary functionality I created a simple flow diagram of the main tasks the user can do. One of the flows is shown below.
Select Restaurant
Registration
Log In
Data Entry
Restaurant Home
Select
Pass
Options Undesirable
Options Undesirable
Browse Restaurants
Log In
Successful
Fill in Guest info
Food Options
Food/Liquor/Seating
Confirmed
Pass
Liquor Option
Select
Conditions Met
Finalize Account
Conditions Met
Seating Option
Select
Pass
Send Itinerary
Confirmation
Final Review
Restaurant
Confirms
Options Undesirable
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Once the flow diagram was established, I started creating the low-fidelity wire frames of the main flows.
Removed messages
replaced w/ search icon
Package chosen, shows
full menu breakdown
Menu icon
Confirm choice, changed
to only one row
High-Fidelity UI Designs
Once the initial flow was complete, I started by creating the main screens of the app. I started by defining the colors and fonts.
39 High-Fidelity UI designs were created
Glass effect created with
noise filter, Gaussian blur and masked area.
Went for feeling of looking though front door, yearning to sit down and eat.
Flat background color for readablity.
Main CTA button Color
Color Palette
Accent, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Background
Look and Feel
The perception of looking through the front doors frosted glass of a restaurant
Gives the user a more intrinsic reaction to desiring food
Clean, big buttons for high readability with one background color
Font
Lato
Regular, Medium, Bold, Italic
AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHh
dynamic state
static state
dynamic state
static state
dynamic state
static state
High Fidelity Prototype
I connected my high fidelity designs into a clickable prototype. That will allow me to test the app on the first group of users.
product detail view
search executed
Prototype Validation
5 users given subset of prototype dedicated to locating a specific restaraunt
Tested in person
Specific parameters were asked to adhere too
Within .5 miles of location
Minimum of 15 people
6:30 reservation time
Study Results
5 out 5 participants navigated successfully
All participants were restaurant industry with POS experience
Alternate people in different fields need to be tested with prototype
Accessibility Check
The app has been evaluated for contrast to match the AA standards of WCAG. In too many instances the standard was not met.
The original frosted glass image concept created too many colors in tight distances
Icon color created readability issues with background image
Conversion to flat background color and CTA color change fixed contrast issues.
Initial Contrast :
CTA Toolbar : FAIL
Revised Contrast :
CTA Toolbar : PASS
Project Summary
During the project I
Evaluated the market
Extensive QA audit focusing on consistency and color contrast
Created a set of low fidelity wire frames
Connected them into a prototype
Created a high fidelity beautiful UI design
Quick user survey online