Alterwald Brauhaus

July 2024

King of Prussia

See Prototype

Alterwald Brauhaus, a mobile app crafted for a fictional German restaurant, represents a fusion of traditional German dining with modern technology. The project's core focus was to deliver an authentic German culinary experience directly to users' fingertips, emphasizing the rich, hearty flavors of Bavarian cuisine. From its conceptual phase, the app was envisioned as a bridge between the time-honored recipes of Germany and the convenience of mobile food ordering, aiming to bring a slice of German culture into daily life, wherever one might be.

As the lead UX designer, my role was instrumental in navigating the project from conception to the creation of detailed mockups. The process began with deep research into German gastronomy, understanding not just the dishes but the cultural significance behind them. This informed the design decisions, ensuring that the app's interface would reflect the warmth and authenticity of a German dining experience. The design journey involved crafting wireframes that evolved into comprehensive mockups, focusing on a user-friendly experience for ordering main entrees like Schweinebraten or Schnitzel. Each element was meticulously designed to make the digital interaction as intuitive as stepping into a real German restaurant, thereby setting a new benchmark for mobile food ordering experiences.

The challenge was that Alterwald Brauhaus lacked an online platform, missing out on the opportunity to cater to on-the-go customers through digital ordering solutions.

The goal of this project is to design a user friendly mobile online food ordering app for the Alterwald Brauhaus restaurant.

As a frequent user of popular mobile food ordering apps like DoorDash and Grubhub, I had assumed that local German restaurants would offer similar, user-friendly experiences. However, my research revealed that many of these establishments lacked effective online ordering platforms, or if they did, they were not optimized for mobile devices. This observation challenged my initial assumptions and highlighted a significant gap in the market for a tailored mobile ordering solution for local German restaurants.

Lack of Web Presence
A lack of web presence means missing opportunities for real-time customer engagement, feedback, and community building, which are crucial for brand loyalty and growth in today's digital landscape.

Poor User Interface
Interfaces that lack intuitive navigation, clear design, or responsiveness can lead to user frustration, decreased engagement, and higher abandonment rates, as users struggle to find what they need or understand how to interact with the system effectively.

Inconsistent User Journey
When a product or service fails to maintain a uniform design language or functionality across its interface, users are left confused and frustrated

Lack of Accessibility
Failing to design for users with disabilities means excluding a significant portion of the audience, leading to a diminished user base, potential legal issues, and a missed opportunity to serve all customers equally, regardless of their abilities.

Contrast and Color Use
Ensure that all text and interactive elements have sufficient contrast against their backgrounds. This aids users with visual impairments in reading content easily.

Text Size and Scalability
Design the interface with scalable text sizes to accommodate users who might need larger fonts for readability. This can be achieved by setting up components with relative units like percentage or em.

Keyboard Navigation
Verify that all interactive elements can be accessed and operated via keyboard alone, which is crucial for users who cannot use a mouse or touch interface.

1. I would next focus on conducting user research to refine the concept, followed by designing and prototyping the feature to ensure it integrates smoothly with the existing app, enhancing user convenience without complicating the interface.

2. I would prioritize integrating a real-time order tracking system, starting with user-centered design to ensure clarity and ease of use, followed by backend development to connect with logistics data for accurate status updates.

3. I would develop a straightforward 'reset order' function post-completion, ensuring it's intuitive within the app's workflow, and coordinate with the development team to handle backend data reset efficiently.