PRODUCT DESIGN
DIGITAL MENU
2025
Kokoy
A concept exploring how digital menus can reflect a restaurant's identity while making browsing simpler and more intuitive.
TIMELINE
June-July 2025
PROJECT
Self-initiated Concept
ROLE
UI/UX Designer
SKILLS
Problem Solving, Observation
THE OBSERVATION
I visited Kokoy, a café in Noida, and noticed something.
The restaurant had a warm, carefully designed atmosphere. But the warmth of the restaurant ended the moment the QR code opened. Instead of feeling like Kokoy, the menu felt generic, text-heavy, and disconnected from the experience I'd just walked into.
That small disconnect became the starting point for this project.
WHY IT STILL MATTERS
A year later, I experienced something similar at Radisson.
Instead of opening a digital menu, the QR code redirected me to WhatsApp, where I received a long PDF. Even though I already knew I wanted biryani, finding it meant scrolling through pages of tiny text. Eventually, I asked for the physical menu instead. Later, when we finally placed the order, we were told some of the dishes weren't available anyway.
Different restaurant. Different scale. Same friction.
It reminded me that this wasn't a Kokoy problem—it was a common gap between restaurant experiences and their digital ordering systems.
DESIGNING THE EXPERIENCE
Understanding what makes Kokoy feel like Kokoy
I studied Kokoy's interior, existing menu, and brand identity to understand what made the restaurant feel distinct. The goal wasn't simply to redesign a menu, but to create a digital experience that felt like a natural extension of the space.
A digital menu is often the first screen customers interact with. It should feel like it belongs to the restaurant they're already sitting in.
THE DESIGN
Designing with the restaurant, not just for the screen
Instead of starting with with UI patterns, I focused on carrying Kokoy's identity into the digital experience. Every choice—from colours to layout—was guided by one question: how can the menu feel like a natural extension of the dining experience?
Inspired by the space
Instead of introducing new colours, I derived the palette directly from Kokoy's interiors to make the digital menu feel familiar.
Designed for scanning
Large imagery, categories, and concise cards help customers browse quickly instead of reading long lists.
Built around authenticity
Using Kokoy's actual dishes helped preserve the restaurant's visual identity instead of relying on generic food imagery.
WHAT NEXT?
If I were designing this today
I'd redesign the experience mobile-first, since QR menus are primarily used on phones.
I'd also extend the journey beyond browsing by designing ordering, checkout, and order confirmation.
Finally, I'd surface real-time dish availability so customers don't spend time deciding on items that can't be ordered.
REFLECTION
This project started with curiosity rather than a brief.
It taught me to pay closer attention to the small moments where digital experiences break the feeling created in the physical world.
A QR menu isn't just another screen—it's part of the dining experience. Designing it with the same care as the restaurant itself can make that transition feel seamless.
Good UX isn't always about creating something new. Sometimes it's simply about making sure every touchpoint feels like it belongs.