top of page
Other projects
Learnings and takeaways
This project reinforced my belief in the power of empathy and user-centric design. Seeing diners’ reactions when they used peAR for the first time was incredibly rewarding. It was those wow moments – the smiles, the excitement – that made all the hard work worthwhile. Through peAR, I learned how to balance user needs with business objectives, creating a product that delighted users and drove business success.
Beta testing
We conducted usability testing with 50 real-time users across 20 client paying restaurants, yielding invaluable insights for instilling the habit of in-app dish viewing and ordering. A few of the many findings and solutions were:
Findings
During usability testing with approximately 100 real-time users across 20 different restaurants, we observed that customers struggled with the process of placing multiple orders before finalizing the total bill.
Solution
To address this, we implemented a breadcrumb feature within the app's interface. This feature guides users step-by-step through the ordering process, ensuring clarity and ease of use.
Findings
Restaurants faced challenges in managing customer orders effectively after they were placed.
Solution
Implemented an additional step in the restaurant interface for the kitchen staff to review and approve individual dishes post-order, ensuring accuracy and customer satisfaction.
Findings
Initially, users exhibited reluctance to download native apps on their phones, which posed a barrier to adoption.
Solution
In response, we pivoted to a web app format, making the ordering experience accessible directly from any web browser without the need for app installation.
Findings
We discovered that diners seated at the same table preferred not to pass around their phones to place individual orders. This led to delays in the process.
Solution
To address this, we developed a shared cart feature for each table, allowing multiple diners to add their selected dishes directly from their own phones.
Business-driven design decisions
Highlighting Savings
Prominently displayed total savings on each order to encourage additional purchases.
Used prompts like "You save $X amount" to motivate diners to add more dishes.
Upselling Strategies
Featured “popular” and “chef’s special” tags to draw attention to high-margin items.
Offered discounts on bundle orders to increase the average order size.
Payment integration & reward system
Feature
This feature simplifies the payment process with in-app bill settlement, eliminating delays. Additionally, it introduces a loyalty program where diners earn peAR coins with each bill payment, incentivizing repeat visits and fostering customer loyalty for restaurants.
Considerations
Requires careful management for sustainability and profitability; potential risk of misuse or exploitation by customers.
Business impact
Encouraged repeat visits, boosting customer retention by 25%.
Sequential course ordering
Feature
This feature allows diners to place orders directly through the app, minimizing wait times for server assistance. For restaurants, it improves table turnover, reduces staff workload, and enhances the overall dining experience by streamlining the ordering process.
Considerations
Requires integration with restaurant operations; may necessitate training for staff and customers to adapt to the new system.
Business impact
Increased table turnover rate by 20%, allowing restaurants to serve more customers.
Menu visualization
Feature
Allows diners to view realistic images of dishes, helping them make confident ordering decisions. For restaurants, it drives upselling by showcasing high-margin items visually, leading to increased average order value and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Considerations
Increases operational costs for restaurants; potential increase in app load times for users.
Business impact
Increased average order value by 15% as diners felt more confident in trying new dishes.
Redefining the digital dining experience
Unlike food delivery, dining involves ordering multiple courses sequentially. Our challenge was to digitize this while preserving the authentic dining experience.
I designed various user journeys and task flows to ensure diners could order in stages, mimicking their physical restaurant experience.
The process involved continuous user feedback and numerous design adjustments to ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience.
IA and user flow
Customer journey informed by research insights
Mapping our customer journey enabled us to pinpoint areas for enhancement and unearth opportunities for innovation
Why will restaurants use the peAR app?
peAR is not just a diner-centric solution; it addresses the challenges faced by restaurants in upselling and optimizing service. By digitizing menus and providing an immersive ordering experience, peAR became a valuable tool for restaurants to boost sales, reduce wait times, and foster customer loyalty. In essence, peAR transcends being a mere app; it's a response to the challenges of traditional dining, a digital ally for both diners and restaurants,
Research insights
Talking to our archetypes provided a holistic perspective on the existing dining landscape, ensuring a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that shaped the application's design.
78%
of the research participants were confused on what to order by just reading the menu
3 out of 5
tables in a restaurant ordered what they saw being served on other tables
68%
servers encountered instances where diners were dissatisfied due to inaccurate expectations about dishes
Key results
Within just two months of launch:
50K monthly active app users
100+ restaurants deploying the app in Mumbai as paying clients
10% boost in sales for restaurants using peAR
The birth of peAR was driven by a desire
Eliminating the guesswork and transform dining into a delightful, interactive journey. The 3D visualization of dishes allows diners to see what they're ordering, minimizing their disappointment
User goals
Explore diverse cuisines and discover unique dining experiences.
Enjoy a seamless, satisfying, and efficient ordering process at new restaurants.
Business goals
Increase sales and enhance customer satisfaction.
Differentiate their establishment from competitors.
Optimize sales processes and reduce staff workload.
Gain valuable insights into customer preferences to drive decision-making.
PeAR
AR-based application providing an immersive dining experience in restaurants
Background
The traditional dining landscape in India involved several pain points: confusing menus, long waits for servers to take orders, and prolonged billing times, leaving diners dissatisfied. peAR Technologies, a venture-funded startup in India, aimed to revolutionize the dining experience. The goal was to eliminate uncertainties, streamline the ordering process, and transform dining into a delightful, interactive journey, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Roles
Design Research, Product Ideation, Prototyping, UI Design, Usability Testing, Design System
Team
1 designer (Sakshi Shah) CEO (Dharmin Vora)
Duration
5 weeks
bottom of page