Spotlight

Cups Half Full

Cups Half Full

Raising awareness about senior poverty in South Korea.

Discover, support, and explore local cafés.

Discover, support, and explore local cafés.

Cups Half Full

Discover, support, and explore local cafés.

Overview

A website designed to help users discover and support Vancouver's independent cafés. By showcasing their unique stories, cozy atmospheres, and creative offerings, the platform encourages exploration and fosters a deeper connection to the local café culture. Through this, I hope to raise awareness and help sustain these hidden gems before they disappear.

My Role:

Lead Designer

Service Provided:

Web Design, Branding and Visual Design

Tools:

Figma

Duration:

3 days

About the Problem


Vancouver's vibrant café culture is under threat. Small, independent cafés face rising operational costs, competition from large chains, and the lasting economic impact of COVID-19. Many unique, locally-owned spots—offering more than just coffee, like cozy atmospheres and community events—have been forced to close.


During my time working in and visiting various cafés, I witnessed firsthand how these economic challenges impact owners and employees alike. Each closure represents not just a loss of a business but the disappearance of a community hub where people connected, worked, and found inspiration.


In just 3 days, I undertook this personal project with the goal to highlight these hidden gems, promote their unique stories, and encourage exploration, fostering a deeper appreciation for local cafés before they disappear from Vancouver’s landscape.

About the Problem


Vancouver's vibrant café culture is under threat. Small, independent cafés face rising operational costs, competition from large chains, and the lasting economic impact of COVID-19. Many unique, locally-owned spots—offering more than just coffee, like cozy atmospheres and community events—have been forced to close.


During my time working in and visiting various cafés, I witnessed firsthand how these economic challenges impact owners and employees alike. Each closure represents not just a loss of a business but the disappearance of a community hub where people connected, worked, and found inspiration.


In just 3 days, I undertook this personal project with the goal to highlight these hidden gems, promote their unique stories, and encourage exploration, fostering a deeper appreciation for local cafés before they disappear from Vancouver’s landscape.

About the Problem


Vancouver's vibrant café culture is under threat. Small, independent cafés face rising operational costs, competition from large chains, and the lasting economic impact of COVID-19. Many unique, locally-owned spots—offering more than just coffee, like cozy atmospheres and community events—have been forced to close.


During my time working in and visiting various cafés, I witnessed firsthand how these economic challenges impact owners and employees alike. Each closure represents not just a loss of a business but the disappearance of a community hub where people connected, worked, and found inspiration.


In just 3 days, I undertook this personal project with the goal to highlight these hidden gems, promote their unique stories, and encourage exploration, fostering a deeper appreciation for local cafés before they disappear from Vancouver’s landscape.

Research


This research dives into the challenges Vancouver’s independent cafés are facing and what customers look for when choosing a spot. By hearing from café owners and regular visitors, I can design a platform that truly reflects their needs. The goal is to create something that helps people discover these hidden gems and encourages support for the local café scene.


Primary Research


Most of the insights for this research were gathered through interviews,and observations, providing firsthand data on customer preferences and behaviors.


Key Insights from Research


  • Unique Experiences Matter: Customers are drawn to cafes that offer more than just coffee—unique themes, art displays, or live events make a difference.

  • Customer Loyalty: Regular visitors are motivated by personalized service, consistency in quality, and a sense of belonging.

  • Social Media Influence: Customers are more likely to visit cafés that are visually appealing and shareable on social media.

  • Support for Local Businesses: Customers are eager to support local cafés but struggle to discover new, independent spots.

Research


This research dives into the challenges Vancouver’s independent cafés are facing and what customers look for when choosing a spot. By hearing from café owners and regular visitors, I can design a platform that truly reflects their needs. The goal is to create something that helps people discover these hidden gems and encourages support for the local café scene.


Primary Research


Most of the insights for this research were gathered through interviews,and observations, providing firsthand data on customer preferences and behaviors.


Key Insights from Research


  • Unique Experiences Matter: Customers are drawn to cafes that offer more than just coffee—unique themes, art displays, or live events make a difference.

  • Customer Loyalty: Regular visitors are motivated by personalized service, consistency in quality, and a sense of belonging.

  • Social Media Influence: Customers are more likely to visit cafés that are visually appealing and shareable on social media.

  • Support for Local Businesses: Customers are eager to support local cafés but struggle to discover new, independent spots.

Research


This research dives into the challenges Vancouver’s independent cafés are facing and what customers look for when choosing a spot. By hearing from café owners and regular visitors, I can design a platform that truly reflects their needs. The goal is to create something that helps people discover these hidden gems and encourages support for the local café scene.


Primary Research


Most of the insights for this research were gathered through interviews,and observations, providing firsthand data on customer preferences and behaviors.


Key Insights from Research


  • Unique Experiences Matter: Customers are drawn to cafes that offer more than just coffee—unique themes, art displays, or live events make a difference.

  • Customer Loyalty: Regular visitors are motivated by personalized service, consistency in quality, and a sense of belonging.

  • Social Media Influence: Customers are more likely to visit cafés that are visually appealing and shareable on social media.

  • Support for Local Businesses: Customers are eager to support local cafés but struggle to discover new, independent spots.

Causes


  • Rising Rent and Operational Costs: Many cafés are struggling with increasing rent and higher utility costs.

  • Post-Pandemic Recovery: Reduced foot traffic and fewer in-person customers as a result of the pandemic and changing consumer habits.

  • Competition from Chains: Large coffee chains dominate the market, often making it difficult for small, independent cafés to compete.

  • Market Saturation: Vancouver has a crowded café scene, and standing out can be challenging for new or smaller cafés.


This research reveals the struggles of Vancouver’s independent cafés, including rising costs and tough competition. Customers value unique experiences and community, but many cafés are hard to find.


There’s a clear need for a solution that connects customers with local cafés and highlights their unique offerings.

Causes


  • Rising Rent and Operational Costs: Many cafés are struggling with increasing rent and higher utility costs.

  • Post-Pandemic Recovery: Reduced foot traffic and fewer in-person customers as a result of the pandemic and changing consumer habits.

  • Competition from Chains: Large coffee chains dominate the market, often making it difficult for small, independent cafés to compete.

  • Market Saturation: Vancouver has a crowded café scene, and standing out can be challenging for new or smaller cafés.


This research reveals the struggles of Vancouver’s independent cafés, including rising costs and tough competition. Customers value unique experiences and community, but many cafés are hard to find.


There’s a clear need for a solution that connects customers with local cafés and highlights their unique offerings.

Causes


  • Rising Rent and Operational Costs: Many cafés are struggling with increasing rent and higher utility costs.

  • Post-Pandemic Recovery: Reduced foot traffic and fewer in-person customers as a result of the pandemic and changing consumer habits.

  • Competition from Chains: Large coffee chains dominate the market, often making it difficult for small, independent cafés to compete.

  • Market Saturation: Vancouver has a crowded café scene, and standing out can be challenging for new or smaller cafés.


This research reveals the struggles of Vancouver’s independent cafés, including rising costs and tough competition. Customers value unique experiences and community, but many cafés are hard to find.


There’s a clear need for a solution that connects customers with local cafés and highlights their unique offerings.

Ideation & Concept


The ideation phase for Cups Half Full focused on solving the core problem: helping people discover unique, independent cafés while supporting local businesses. After researching customer preferences and café challenges, the concept centered on creating a platform that would connect users to hidden gems in their area, featuring community-focused cafés with distinct offerings.


The wireframes for Cups Half Full focused on a simple, user-friendly design to help users easily discover cafés. Key features include a search bar, map integration, café profiles, mood-based filters, and user reviews, all aimed at providing an engaging and seamless experience for finding local cafés.

Ideation & Concept


The ideation phase for Cups Half Full focused on solving the core problem: helping people discover unique, independent cafés while supporting local businesses. After researching customer preferences and café challenges, the concept centered on creating a platform that would connect users to hidden gems in their area, featuring community-focused cafés with distinct offerings.


The wireframes for Cups Half Full focused on a simple, user-friendly design to help users easily discover cafés. Key features include a search bar, map integration, café profiles, mood-based filters, and user reviews, all aimed at providing an engaging and seamless experience for finding local cafés.

Ideation & Concept


The ideation phase for Cups Half Full focused on solving the core problem: helping people discover unique, independent cafés while supporting local businesses. After researching customer preferences and café challenges, the concept centered on creating a platform that would connect users to hidden gems in their area, featuring community-focused cafés with distinct offerings.


The wireframes for Cups Half Full focused on a simple, user-friendly design to help users easily discover cafés. Key features include a search bar, map integration, café profiles, mood-based filters, and user reviews, all aimed at providing an engaging and seamless experience for finding local cafés.

UI Design


The platform should feel friendly, approachable, and reliable.

UI Design


The platform should feel friendly, approachable, and reliable.

UI Design


The platform should feel friendly, approachable, and reliable.

Name


The name Cups Half Full was chosen to reflect both the optimism and community-driven spirit of the platform. After brainstorming various ideas and testing them out, I wanted something that captured the essence of local cafés—places where connections are made, and experiences are shared. A little inspiration from the phrase “glass half full” gave me the perfect fit to convey positivity, discovery, and support for local businesses.

Style Tile


Before diving into the high-fidelity wireframes, I created a style tile to establish the visual direction for the prototype. I chose a deep teal as one of the primary colors for its calming, professional, and trustworthy feel. For a complementary touch, I incorporated a warm mustard gold, which conveys warmth and approachability, adding a welcoming vibe to the design. These colors work together to evoke both a sense of comfort and sophistication, aligning with the community-driven focus of the platform.

Style Tile


Before diving into the high-fidelity wireframes, I created a style tile to establish the visual direction for the prototype. I chose a deep teal as one of the primary colors for its calming, professional, and trustworthy feel. For a complementary touch, I incorporated a warm mustard gold, which conveys warmth and approachability, adding a welcoming vibe to the design. These colors work together to evoke both a sense of comfort and sophistication, aligning with the community-driven focus of the platform.

Style Tile


Before diving into the high-fidelity wireframes, I created a style tile to establish the visual direction for the prototype. I chose a deep teal as one of the primary colors for its calming, professional, and trustworthy feel. For a complementary touch, I incorporated a warm mustard gold, which conveys warmth and approachability, adding a welcoming vibe to the design. These colors work together to evoke both a sense of comfort and sophistication, aligning with the community-driven focus of the platform.

High-Fidelity Prototype


Given the short three-day timeline, I prioritized creating a high-fidelity prototype focused on the website’s visual design and overall aesthetic. This approach ensured the look and feel aligned with the project’s goals, clearly showcasing the intended user experience and design direction.

Design Solutions


To address the challenges faced by Vancouver’s independent cafés, I developed a series of thoughtful design solutions aimed at enhancing user engagement and supporting local businesses:

  • 🔍 Intuitive Search Bar: Quickly find cafés based on location, mood, or amenities.

  • 📄 Detailed Café Profiles: Explore essential information, photos, and unique stories that highlight each café’s charm.

  • ⭐ User Reviews and Ratings: Encourage community involvement and provide authentic feedback for potential visitors.

  • 🎭 Mood-Based Search: Filter cafés based on vibes—like study spots, cozy corners, or social hangouts.


Sketches


I visualized this data as a parametric/terraform bench to represent the global senior poverty rates. Each layer of the bench corresponds to the percentage of senior poverty in different countries, with the lowest layer representing the country with the smallest percentage and the highest layer representing South Korea, which has the highest rate of senior poverty. This design serves as a tangible, interactive way to illustrate the stark disparity in senior poverty rates across the world, highlighting South Korea’s critical position and the urgent need for change. The layers emphasize the scale of this issue, making the data more accessible and impactful.

Sketches


I visualized this data as a parametric/terraform bench to represent the global senior poverty rates. Each layer of the bench corresponds to the percentage of senior poverty in different countries, with the lowest layer representing the country with the smallest percentage and the highest layer representing South Korea, which has the highest rate of senior poverty. This design serves as a tangible, interactive way to illustrate the stark disparity in senior poverty rates across the world, highlighting South Korea’s critical position and the urgent need for change. The layers emphasize the scale of this issue, making the data more accessible and impactful.

Next Steps


While the current high-fidelity design lays a strong foundation, the website is currently limited in its scope. To further develop the project, I would like to:


  • ✏️ Expand the design: Develop additional screens to cover all core features.

  • 🧪 Conduct usability testing: Gather feedback from both café owners and customers to refine the user experience.

  • 📊 Deepen research: Engage with more local café communities to understand evolving needs and incorporate those insights.

  • 💻 Build an interactive prototype: Create a fully functional version for real-world testing and validation.


This project is just the beginning. My goal is to keep evolving this platform to ensure it truly serves Vancouver’s café culture and the people who cherish it.

Visualizing the Data


One of the concept sketches features an interactive kiosk alongside a visual of the bench side view. The bench design showcases layered heights representing different countries, with each layer displaying key statistics about senior poverty.

The kiosk allows visitors to learn more about each layer, exploring the data and stories behind the design. This combination of physical and digital elements creates an engaging and informative experience, helping visitors connect with the issue on a deeper level.

Visualizing the Data


One of the concept sketches features an interactive kiosk alongside a visual of the bench side view. The bench design showcases layered heights representing different countries, with each layer displaying key statistics about senior poverty.

The kiosk allows visitors to learn more about each layer, exploring the data and stories behind the design. This combination of physical and digital elements creates an engaging and informative experience, helping visitors connect with the issue on a deeper level.

Reflection


This project was an intense design sprint that challenged me to prioritize and execute quickly within a tight three-day timeline. With limited time, I focused on core elements that delivered the most impact—simplicity, functionality, and a user-centered approach. This experience emphasized how crucial it is to make thoughtful design decisions under pressure, ensuring every choice serves the overall goal of supporting local cafés.

Despite the constraints, I learned that even a rapid prototype, driven by empathy and clear insights, can spark meaningful change. Moving forward, I plan to refine and expand this platform, confident that thoughtful design can help strengthen communities and celebrate the unique spaces that bring people together.

Reflection


This project was an intense design sprint that challenged me to prioritize and execute quickly within a tight three-day timeline. With limited time, I focused on core elements that delivered the most impact—simplicity, functionality, and a user-centered approach. This experience emphasized how crucial it is to make thoughtful design decisions under pressure, ensuring every choice serves the overall goal of supporting local cafés.

Despite the constraints, I learned that even a rapid prototype, driven by empathy and clear insights, can spark meaningful change. Moving forward, I plan to refine and expand this platform, confident that thoughtful design can help strengthen communities and celebrate the unique spaces that bring people together.

Reflection


This project was an intense design sprint that challenged me to prioritize and execute quickly within a tight three-day timeline. With limited time, I focused on core elements that delivered the most impact—simplicity, functionality, and a user-centered approach. This experience emphasized how crucial it is to make thoughtful design decisions under pressure, ensuring every choice serves the overall goal of supporting local cafés.

Despite the constraints, I learned that even a rapid prototype, driven by empathy and clear insights, can spark meaningful change. Moving forward, I plan to refine and expand this platform, confident that thoughtful design can help strengthen communities and celebrate the unique spaces that bring people together.