Social Impact through Design: Rise at the Cove's Digital Transformation
Welcome to the digital transformation journey of "Rise at the Cove," a social enterprise cafe with a heartwarming mission. In this project, we embarked on a mission to reshape an online presence, not just for aesthetics but to amplify social impact.
Introducing Rise at the Cove
Once upon a time, in the heart of Greystones, Ireland, there existed a cozy haven by the sea - "Rise at the Cove." More than just a cafe, it was a social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals recovering from addiction and homelessness, with a steaming cup of coffee and a side of compassion. Yet, its online presence lacked the warmth and impact that the physical cafe exuded. This is the story of how a digital transformation journey breathed new life into Rise at the Cove.
Chapter 1 : A Digital Awakening
The journey began in August 2023 when I joined Tiglin. My task? To redesign Rise at the Cove's website. I was both excited and humbled by the opportunity to apply my UX/UI design skills to a project with such a profound mission.
Where
Greystones, Ireland
Timeline
2 Months
What
Website Design & Development
Role
UX Designer
When
2023
Tools
Figma, Wordpress
The Objective
To enhance the digital experience of Rise at the Cove, focusing on creating a promotional website that not only provides important information about the cafe but also reflects its compassionate mission.
Chapter 2: Crafting the Experience
My journey started with research. I needed to understand Rise at the Cove's community, its patrons, and its goals. The journey unfolded with a cast of diverse stakeholders, each playing a crucial role in shaping the destiny of the cafe's online presence. Transitioning from this foundational understanding, I delved into user personas and scrutinized data to reveal the 'why' behind every visit. The more I learned, the more I felt the cafe's heartbeat in the pixels.
Stakeholders
User Personas
Old Website Analysis
Intriguingly, I also took a journey through the past. I explored the old website with a critical eye, using established usability heuristics to uncover its strengths and weaknesses. This exercise allowed me to identify areas where the digital experience fell short and inspired ideas on how to enhance the user journey.
The Challenge
As I delved into the project, I encountered these challenges
The Goals
How can we create an online experience that feels as welcoming & impactful as walking through the doors of Rise at the Cove?
How can we emotionally connect users with Rise at the Cove's mission beyond just informing them about it?
How can we keep menu and merchandise details simple while inviting users to explore the cafe's broader narrative?
Information Architecture
But it didn't stop there. With this understanding, I meticulously designed the user flow. Every click, every interaction was mapped out to ensure that visitors could effortlessly navigate the website, just as they would find their way in the physical space of Rise at the Cove. This user flow became the guiding path through which the website would tell its story.
Armed with both historical insights and current user perspectives, I was ready to embark on the design phase, determined to create a digital haven that not only captured the essence of Rise at the Cove but also resonated with its community in a meaningful way.
Chapter 3: The Design Odyssey
With insights in hand, I embarked on a design odyssey. Moodboard, wireframes, and prototypes started flowing, and each iteration brought me closer to a design that could connect visitors emotionally to Rise at the Cove's mission.
Moodboard
The whimsical world of coffee-scented dreams, cozy corners, and heartwarming vibes.
Sketch Wireframes
Homepage Wireframe
Menu Wireframe
Merchandise Wireframe
About Us Wireframe
Chapter 4: Impactful Elements
The moment arrived. We launched the revamped website, and it was like revealing a canvas of compassion. Users could now seamlessly navigate the menu, immerse themselves in blog posts, and engage with the community in a whole new way.
I incorporated engaging interactive elements into the website to invite users to explore the essence of Rise at the Cove. These additions included dynamic menus that allowed users to delve into the cafe's mission, a blog section where inspiring stories were shared, a seamless donation option, and an array of reusable merchandise and locally sourced food items aimed at supporting and uplifting the community.
Home Screen Prototype
Menu Screen
About Us Screen
My Learnings
The project's key learnings include the significance of aligning the digital presence with the cafe's physical atmosphere, emphasizing a direct connection between the online platform and the in-person experience. Another crucial takeaway is the effectiveness of storytelling in fostering user connection and engagement, highlighting the impact of authentic narratives on user perception.
Conclusion: Purpose in Pixels
And so, the Rise at the Cove website redesign project came to a close, but its impact is ongoing. Through this digital transformation, we not only created a visually stunning website but also a testament to the power of design in driving social change. Every click now resonates with purpose, and every interaction carries the warmth of a community that cares.
Imapact
The tangible impact of the redesigned website became evident with a notable 30% boost in online donations the following month. This measurable outcome emphasizes the effectiveness of the project in not only enhancing the online experience but also contributing to the cafe's financial support.
Future Recommendations
Looking forward, potential avenues for improvement include exploring the facilitation of an online ordering service. Leveraging the success of the website, incorporating an online ordering feature can further enhance user convenience and engagement, extending the positive impact of the digital transformation to the practical aspects of the cafe's operations.
This case study stands as a testament to the idea that design can do more than just look good; it can touch hearts and change lives. It's a story of how empathy and innovation transformed a website into a beacon of hope by the sea.
