Next Project
Connecting Coffee Enthusiasts to Local Cafés Through Personalized Discovery and Community
In a 6-week solo project from July to August 2021, I set out to bridge the gap between home baristas and local cafés by designing CupScout—a platform that empowers coffee lovers to discover new cafés, personalize their coffee journeys, and connect with a vibrant community.
Deliverables: User Research Documentation, Competitive Analysis, Wireframes & High-Fidelity Mockups, Brand Identity
Project Type: UX Design for Coffee Enthusiasts
Timeline: July – August 2021 (6 weeks)
My Role: UX Strategy, Research, Design, Information Architecture (Solo Project)
The Challenge
Coffee culture thrives on connection and discovery, yet most platforms offer only generic café listings or lack the ability to personalize recommendations. Home baristas and café-goers alike seek a way to explore local coffee scenes, share experiences, and find drinks tailored to their tastes. The challenge was to create a platform that makes discovery personal, fosters community, and inspires creativity among coffee lovers.
The Solution
I created CupScout as a personalized discovery platform that makes it easy for coffee lovers to find local cafés, get tailored drink recommendations, and connect with a like-minded community. The design brings together intuitive search, user-driven content, and a visually engaging interface—turning café exploration into a creative, social experience.
Design Process
I focused on delivering a seamless, visually inviting experience that puts personalization and community at the heart of coffee discovery. Here’s how the project unfolded:
01/ Research & Insights
To clarify user needs and market gaps, I conducted a review of coffee consumption trends, analyzed leading café discovery apps, and surveyed 25 coffee drinkers. The research highlighted a demand for more tailored recommendations, better ways to keep track of favorite drinks, and a desire for community features that go beyond basic reviews. These insights shaped the direction of CupScout’s core features and experience.
02/ Flow Mapping & Wireframes
I mapped key user journeys—like discovering new cafés, saving favorite drinks, and connecting with others—to identify friction points and opportunities for delight. Early wireframes explored different navigation patterns and content hierarchies, with the goal of making important actions quick and intuitive. As the flows evolved, I focused on clarity and reducing cognitive load, ensuring users could easily move from search to discovery to sharing.
03/ Ideation & Visual Design
Drawing inspiration from both classic café culture and modern app design, I developed a visual identity that balances warmth with clarity. I created a style guide with inviting gradients, bold drink imagery, and accessible typography. During ideation, I tested modular layouts that could flexibly accommodate user-generated content, reviews, and café profiles, ensuring the platform would scale as the community grew.
04/ High-Fidelity Mockups & Prototyping
With the visual language and flows established, I translated the experience into a high-fidelity, interactive prototype. The prototype showcased the end-to-end journey: from personalized café search to sharing drink creations with the community. Special attention was given to microinteractions and feedback, making the product feel polished and inviting.
05/ Internal Review & Design Handoff
I conducted remote usability testing with five participants from the target audience. They were asked to complete key tasks, such as finding a new café, and saving a drink. Their feedback led to improvements in favoriting options, data clarity, and menu access. Iterative refinements focused on making the experience more consistent and discoverable.
Next Steps
With a solid foundation in place, the next evolution of CupScout would focus on deepening personalization and community engagement. Planned enhancements include advanced filtering for café discovery, expanded accessibility features to meet WCAG AAA standards, and richer support for user-generated content. Additionally, I would conduct further rounds of usability testing to validate new features and ensure the platform continues to grow in alignment with user needs and expectations.
Round Up
This project demonstrated the power of user-centered design in creating meaningful connections. By focusing on clarity, personalization, and community, CupScout empowers coffee lovers to explore, share, and celebrate their passion for coffee. If you’re looking for a designer who can craft intuitive, impactful experiences tailored to your users’ needs, I’d love to collaborate on your next project!