John Konnakkottu

The Challenge

The Starbucks app is familiar and well designed, but when I was new to the app, finding drinks often felt difficult or daunting. The menu uses a long list view with small thumbnails, which made browsing slow and repetitive.

I wanted to make the experience more visual and direct. The aim was to help users find what they want faster, while keeping the interface simple and familiar.

The Challenge

The Starbucks app is familiar and well designed, but when I was new to the app, finding drinks often felt difficult or daunting. The menu uses a long list view with small thumbnails, which made browsing slow and repetitive.

I wanted to make the experience more visual and direct. The aim was to help users find what they want faster, while keeping the interface simple and familiar.

The Challenge

The Starbucks app is familiar and well designed, but when I was new to the app, finding drinks often felt difficult or daunting. The menu uses a long list view with small thumbnails, which made browsing slow and repetitive.

I wanted to make the experience more visual and direct. The aim was to help users find what they want faster, while keeping the interface simple and familiar.

Approach

I started with sketches on paper, following the design process from the course. I spoke with friends, family, and a few Starbucks employees about how they use the current app. A few users raised how the app felt dated and that it could be slow to scroll through the menu

Based on this feedback, I created wireframes and went through two design iterations in Figma. I focused on reorganizing the menu, improving search, and creating small moments that improved the overall experience.

Approach

I started with sketches on paper, following the design process from the course. I spoke with friends, family, and a few Starbucks employees about how they use the current app. A few users raised how the app felt dated and that it could be slow to scroll through the menu

Based on this feedback, I created wireframes and went through two design iterations in Figma. I focused on reorganizing the menu, improving search, and creating small moments that improved the overall experience.

Approach

I started with sketches on paper, following the design process from the course. I spoke with friends, family, and a few Starbucks employees about how they use the current app. A few users raised how the app felt dated and that it could be slow to scroll through the menu

Based on this feedback, I created wireframes and went through two design iterations in Figma. I focused on reorganizing the menu, improving search, and creating small moments that improved the overall experience.

Design Decisions

The menu was redesigned from a single list into a two-column grid of larger, photo-based tiles. Each tile shows the drink image and name, making it easier to browse and compare options. The layout reduces scrolling and gives the interface more breathing room.

A search bar was added to the top of the menu, allowing users to find drinks by name or category. It keeps the experience fast for returning users who already know what they want.

A small widget shows either the status of the current order or what song is playing in the store. It adds a light layer of context and connection without interrupting the main flow.

The interface uses a cleaner color palette, simplified typography, and consistent spacing. The goal was not to change the Starbucks brand but to make the app feel calm and unified across screens.

Design Decisions

The menu was redesigned from a single list into a two-column grid of larger, photo-based tiles. Each tile shows the drink image and name, making it easier to browse and compare options. The layout reduces scrolling and gives the interface more breathing room.

A search bar was added to the top of the menu, allowing users to find drinks by name or category. It keeps the experience fast for returning users who already know what they want.

A small widget shows either the status of the current order or what song is playing in the store. It adds a light layer of context and connection without interrupting the main flow.

The interface uses a cleaner color palette, simplified typography, and consistent spacing. The goal was not to change the Starbucks brand but to make the app feel calm and unified across screens.

Design Decisions

The menu was redesigned from a single list into a two-column grid of larger, photo-based tiles. Each tile shows the drink image and name, making it easier to browse and compare options. The layout reduces scrolling and gives the interface more breathing room.

A search bar was added to the top of the menu, allowing users to find drinks by name or category. It keeps the experience fast for returning users who already know what they want.

A small widget shows either the status of the current order or what song is playing in the store. It adds a light layer of context and connection without interrupting the main flow.

The interface uses a cleaner color palette, simplified typography, and consistent spacing. The goal was not to change the Starbucks brand but to make the app feel calm and unified across screens.

Impact

This was a concept project, but the feedback from friends, family, and a few Starbucks employees was positive. They found the menu easier to browse and said the interface felt lighter and more consistent.

The project was a useful reminder that small design choices can make a familiar experience feel simpler and more enjoyable.

Impact

This was a concept project, but the feedback from friends, family, and a few Starbucks employees was positive. They found the menu easier to browse and said the interface felt lighter and more consistent.

The project was a useful reminder that small design choices can make a familiar experience feel simpler and more enjoyable.

Impact

This was a concept project, but the feedback from friends, family, and a few Starbucks employees was positive. They found the menu easier to browse and said the interface felt lighter and more consistent.

The project was a useful reminder that small design choices can make a familiar experience feel simpler and more enjoyable.

Reflection

This was one of my first design projects and the most difficult part was research. Talking to users and turning what they said into a clear design improvement took more time and focus than I expected.

It showed me how even small adjustments in structure or layout can make an experience easier to use. It also reminded me that design is as much about listening and editing as it is about creating something new.

Reflection

This was one of my first design projects and the most difficult part was research. Talking to users and turning what they said into a clear design improvement took more time and focus than I expected.

It showed me how even small adjustments in structure or layout can make an experience easier to use. It also reminded me that design is as much about listening and editing as it is about creating something new.

Reflection

This was one of my first design projects and the most difficult part was research. Talking to users and turning what they said into a clear design improvement took more time and focus than I expected.

It showed me how even small adjustments in structure or layout can make an experience easier to use. It also reminded me that design is as much about listening and editing as it is about creating something new.