Year
2022
Category
product design
Find the Perfect Spot, Every Time
We offer a vast variety of restaurants, but our powerful filtering system makes finding the right one simple. Users can instantly filter by cuisine, price, and specific occasion from a romantic date to a large group dinner to pinpoint the perfect venue that matches any context or need. As the product designer, I tackled the "paradox of choice" by designing filters for real-world user intent, like 'Occasion.' I kept the powerful interface simple using progressive disclosure, enabling users to effortlessly find the perfect restaurant for any situation.
Designing for Confident Decisions
To create a seamless user flow, I integrated all essential data directly into the restaurant profiles. This includes interactive menus, verified user reviews, and rich photo galleries. Providing this complete picture in one place builds user confidence and reduces the need to navigate away, directly increasing booking conversions.
The Interactive Map View
To simplify user decisions, I designed an interactive map view showing all our partner restaurants across the Netherlands. It allows users to instantly visualize their options, understand proximity, and explore neighborhoods in cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, turning discovery into a simple, context-rich experience.
The Afterhours Design System
I developed a scalable design system for Afterhours to increase efficiency and ensure a world-class user experience. This library of reusable, accessible components and clear guidelines directly led to faster development cycles, perfect UI consistency, and dramatically improved collaboration between design and development.
Of course. Here is a more concise version of that detailed case study, perfect for a portfolio overview.
Research & Discovery
Our research aimed to identify pain points in dining reservation platforms while exploring opportunities for sustainability. Through interviews, surveys with over 400 diners, and discussions with 50+ restaurant and hotel partners in Amsterdam, we uncovered key insights:
User Frustration: Diners were frustrated by complex booking flows, hidden fees, and a lack of real-time availability. A significant number (70%) expressed strong interest in eco-friendly dining options.
Partner Needs: Restaurants sought tools for capacity optimization, while hotels were eager to find a solution for surplus food from their dining rooms.
Market Gap: Competitive analysis showed an opportunity to differentiate by integrating sustainability with a simplified, transparent booking experience.
Design & Solution
Based on these insights, we developed a platform focused on simplicity, transparency, and sustainability.
Streamlined Booking: We simplified the process into an intuitive, 3-step flow (Search > Select > Confirm) with transparent pricing and clear cancellation policies upfront.
Eco-Friendly Dining: We introduced "Surplus Meals," allowing users to book high-quality, discounted meals from hotel partners, directly addressing food waste.
AI-Powered Personalization: The platform uses AI to provide recommendations based on user history and preferences, with robust filters for cuisine, dietary needs, and eco-friendly options.
Strong Design System: We built a modular, mobile-first design system to ensure a consistent, scalable, and accessible user experience.
Outcomes
The redesigned platform delivered measurable improvements:
A 25% reduction in booking drop-offs due to the simplified flow and transparent policies.
Increased user engagement driven by personalized recommendations and unique eco-friendly dining options.
Successful collaboration with restaurant and hotel partners, improving their efficiency and reducing food waste.
Our design for Afterhours centered on a mobile-first, 3-step booking flow, built using a scalable and WCAG-compliant design system. We prioritized user trust with key features like real-time availability, transparent pricing, and visually highlighted eco-friendly dining options. Through iterative testing, we delivered a streamlined and engaging platform that effectively balances sustainability with core user needs.
