District

Your neighbourhood coffee shop, re-imagined online

My Role

As the sole UX/UI designer, I am leading the redesign of District Coffee's website, collaborating closely with the head of marketing and the business owner.

My responsibilities include analysing and improving the existing user experience, creating wireframes and high-fidelity mockups, optimising the site for improved SEO, and ensuring a seamless migration from Squarespace to Wix.

This project is a work in progress

District:
Where Specialty Coffee Meets Community

THE CLIENT

Redesigning District: A Blend of Functionality and Personality

THE BRIEF

The Goals

  • Improve the customer journey

    Streamline navigation and layout to make it intuitive for users to explore locations, events, and the online store.

    Highlight key calls to action, such as newsletter sign-ups, ticket sales for events, and online shopping.

  • Communicate the brand identity

    Implement District’s refreshed brand identity through updated visuals, colors, and fonts.

    Showcase the brand’s unique selling points: specialty coffee, people, and community events.

    Cater to the local demographic by emphasizing community and neighborhood values.

  • Enhance communication & engagement

    Create clear, engaging content that answers "Who we are?" and "What we do?" effectively.

    Develop a platform that remains easy to update and keeps customers informed about events, promotions, and offerings.

  • Optimise for growth and conversions

    Implement an SEO strategy to drive traffic from tourists, new area residents, and local businesses.

    Focus on features like e-commerce, loyalty programs, and event ticket sales to increase revenue.

Customer Archetypes

In researching the audience for this project, I identified key customer archetypes across the four locations. Each store has a distinct demographic influenced by its surroundings, from affluent locals to busy commuters. While the website must serve a diverse user base, understanding these archetypes ensures the design reflects the unique needs and preferences of these groups. Below is an overview of the primary customer categories for each location, highlighting the distinct traits that shape their interaction with the brand.

Embassy Gardens

This group includes "yummy mummies," fitness enthusiasts, dog walkers, and influencers. They value high-quality offerings in a stylish, welcoming atmosphere. Many use the space for working remotely, favouring locations with ample seating and reliable
Wi-Fi.

Battersea Park

Close to the park, Battersea attracts family groups, runners, and locals. This audience values a sense of community and convenience. Runners seek healthy, quick options and spaces to recharge after exercise. The website should reflect this balance of community and functionality.

Mayfair

Located near offices, this store sees a high volume of professionals during lunch breaks. Speed, quality, and efficiency are their priorities, as they often have limited time. Some visitors include high-profile individuals, so maintaining a polished brand image is essential.

Parsons Green

Positioned near the tube station, Parsons Green caters to busy commuters and locals needing quick service. This audience values convenience above all, with a focus on grab-and-go options and minimal waiting times. The smallest of the locations, this store thrives on regulars who depend on fast, consistent service.

The initial website

DISCOVERY

Competitors

Competitor Analysis

COLLABORATION

Exploring the Client’s Vision for District’s Website

During my initial meeting with the Head of Marketing, I was introduced to this high-fidelity mockup of the homepage, which served as the foundation for our discussions on refining the design. Together, we identified core priorities and opportunities for improvement to better align with District's goals.

Key Objectives:

  • Highlight the unique offerings and identities of each location.

  • Promote upcoming events to foster community engagement.

  • Encourage app downloads and grow the newsletter subscriber base.

  • Create a homepage that reflects District’s vibrant personality and core values

Website mapping

PLANNING

This website map outlines the proposed structure for District’s redesigned website, aimed at enhancing user experience and aligning with the client’s priorities. This map emphasises accessibility and clear navigation while prioritising revenue streams like venue hire and events. It also accommodates user needs with dedicated sections for brand storytelling and practical information.

Reflect the brand, simplify navigation, and
elevate key revenue streams, all while staying true to District's
core values and community focus

THE MISSION

DESIGNING

Low fidelity wireframing

Exploring design variations to align with user needs and client goals

ITERATING FOR IMPACT

To ensure we captured the right tone and functionality for the website, I created 2-4 design iterations for each page. These mid-to-high fidelity designs explored a range of layouts, from concise and clean to more detailed and playful. Each variation utilised brand colours, placeholder images, and filler text to focus on structure and usability.

This iterative process allowed me to present diverse concepts, gather targeted feedback during client meetings, and refine the designs to better reflect District’s vision and user expectations. By testing different approaches early on, we could confidently move toward a final design that achieved both aesthetic and functional goals.

Coming soon

Coming soon

Final designs are on their way,
feel free to check out my other projects in till then.

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