product.
Responsive web-based platforms for Lakou.
duration.
8 months (Sep '22/Apr '23)
team.
Gabrielle H.
role.
Researcher, UX Writer, UX/UI, Engineer
tool.
Figma
Wix
problem:
Lakou, a South Jersey event space, was expanding brand but didn't have clear direction on how the community would interact with its new spaces.
goal:
Create individual, yet cohesive identities for Lakou offerings.
directive:
Design solution must be web-based.
research.
Design research consisted of auditing Lakou's current digital footprint (websites and social media); speaking to the Lakou stakeholders; meeting to understand the goal of the company - originally I was tasked with an update to their sole website. After discussions, the project was expanded as a rebranding effort with three newly positioned entities: Lakou Mount Laurel, Lakou Kitchen and Lakou Weddings.
Additionally, a competitor audit was conducted to determine where Lakou fit in the existing landscapes of the markets in which they were entering: local events, food trucks and ghost kitchens. my findings revealed that Lakou was on par with its direct and indirect competitors in its efforts and proposed offerings.
Questions we sought to answer included: (1) Are main product offerings clear on the website? (2) What are the main type and quality of competitors services (3) How does each competitor type (Event, Food Truck, Wedding) position themselves in the market? (4) How do they talk about themselves? (5) Strength and Weaknesses of both Lakou and competitors.
After reviewing direct and indirect competition, it was found that Lakou was right on par with its offerings. There is a real opportunity was to look closely at the strengths of these competitors and leverage those elements to help elevate Lakou's digital presence. We want to ensure that the design is not only updated and inspired, but that it is equitable for the various types of user who will interact with Lakou's products/services.
PAIN POINTS:
SMALL BIZ ACCESS TO COMMERCIAL KITCHEN
AFFORDABLE, QUALITY WEDDING VENUES
VENUE CUSTOMIZATION
FINDING SOCIAL EVENTS IN SOUTH JERSEY
When I began mapping the identity of each platform, decisions had to be made on typography, colors and more that could tie three separate, but collective spaces together. Down the line we would also need to create copy content for each.
Lakou ML
Lakou Kitchen
Lakou Weddings
usability.
All three sites needed their own interface flow, but also connectivity to the two other sites. This was considered in menu, image placement and overall flow.
In the initial designs connectivity was accessible from multiple points. But after testing and review, the decision was made to only allow connection from the footer section.
usability.
All three sites needed their own interface flow, but also connectivity to the two other sites. This was considered in menu, image placement and overall flow.
In the initial designs connectivity was accessible from multiple points. But after testing and review, the decision was made to only allow connection from the footer section.
takeaways.
Impact:
“First and foremost, I'd like to say thank you for your work on this project. All of the sites look amazing and you really did a great job bringing the vision to life." - Client feedback
What I learned:
I learned that balancing design principles and client needs aren't always going to be easy, but there are ways to find harmony. Also, I learned that projects take as long as they take - within reason; and if you need more time, tell your client. The initial timeline was 4 months, but once the scope was expanded, so was the timeline.
solution.
Lakou aimed to create an independent platform for each entity, while expanding the overall brand and introducing new color schemes to tie into the larger Lakou umbrella and its Haitian roots. To achieve this, we worked with Lakou's stakeholders to develop a plan that would meet the business needs and design goals. The Haitian flag, which inspired the original logo design, contains the colors of red, blue and green. Our solution to the request to use those colors was the use one per site as the anchor - red (Main), blue (Wedding) and green (Kitchen). Additionally, new logos were created to mimic the original with slight variation to represent the new arms of Lakou. We also aimed to create unified elements that would tie in on all sites to provide a better user interface. These elements consisted of mimicked footer section designs, identical accessibility and privacy pages, similar FAQ pages and keeping the "Lakou Story" central on all sites. We also worked to ensure that the new platform was optimized for mobile use and provided a comprehensive solution that would meet the needs of each entity.
Lakou Kitchen.
A commercial grade ghost kitchen facility and professional space for bakers, chefs, small-batch producers, caterers, businesses, food trucks and more. It provides storage and commissary options for food industry businesses of all sizes.
Lakou Mount Laurel.
The hub. South Jersey's premier multi-functional social space and mobile food vendor market, Lakou Mount Laurel triples as a venue for private use, social events and a 2,000 sq. ft commercial kitchen. Open 7 days week, Lakou Mount Laurel is a family-friendly community.
Lakou Weddings.
The moment you've been dreaming of is here. From the time you decide Lakou is the right venue for you, the designated staff will begin the planning process to ensure that it is the day you've always envisioned. The Lakou wedding venue is located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and housed in their premier multi-functional space which provides indoor and outdoor spaces for your big day.
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