Cups Half Full | Web Design

Cups Half Full | Web Design

Discover, support, and explore local cafés

My Role

UX/UI Design, UX Research

Tools

Figma

Service Provided

Service Design, Mobile Design

Duration

1 Day

My Role

Lead Designer

Service Provided

Web Design,
Branding and
Visual Design

Tools

Figma

Duration

3 Days

Overview

Cups Half Full is a self-initiated UX project focused on supporting independent cafés in Vancouver by making them easier to discover and connect with.

Within a 3-day design sprint, I designed a platform that highlights unique, community-driven cafés — helping users explore beyond large chains while supporting local businesses at risk.

As the sole designer, I led research, ideation, and UI design, translating real-world observations into a meaningful digital experience.


The Problem

Independent Cafés Lack Visibility

Independent cafés are struggling due to rising costs, post-pandemic recovery, and strong competition from large chains. While these cafés offer unique, community-driven experiences, many lack the visibility needed to survive.

At the same time, customers:

  • Value unique café experiences

  • Want to support local businesses

  • Rely on social media for discovery

The Solution

Cups Half Full reimagines café discovery as a personalized and community-driven experience, making it easier for users to explore and support local cafés.

Research

Understanding Users and Café Challenges

Through interviews and observations, I explored both customer behaviors and the challenges faced by café owners.

This revealed:

  • Customers value unique experiences and community

  • Social media strongly influences café visits

  • Many people want to support local businesses but struggle to discover them

At the same time, cafés face:

  • Rising rent and operational costs

  • Reduced foot traffic post-COVID

  • Competition from large chains

  • Market saturation

Insights

Intent doesn’t translate into action

Users want to support local cafés, but lack the tools to easily find them. This revealed a key opportunity:

Bridge the gap between wanting to support local and actually discovering local cafés.

Ideation

Making discovery intuitive and engaging

I explored ways to shift café discovery from a basic search function into an experience-driven journey.

Early concepts focused on:

  • Simplicity and ease of use

  • Highlighting uniqueness over popularity

  • Encouraging exploration through filters and visuals

UI Design

Creating a friendly and reliable interface

The visual direction emphasizes:

  • Warmth and approachability

  • Trust and reliability

  • A balance between modern and cozy aesthetics

Branding

Optimism as a design principle

The name reflects positivity and community, inspired by the phrase “glass half full. It reinforces the idea that cafés are spaces of connection, creativity, and shared experiences.

Prototype

Designing Within a 3-Day Sprint

Given the short timeline, I created a high-fidelity prototype to communicate the core experience, visual direction, and key interactions.

Future Opportunities

Taking the platform further

✏️Expand features and additional screens

🧪 Conduct usability testing with users and café owners

📊 Deepen research with local communities

💻 Develop a fully interactive prototype

Reflection

Empathy drives meaningful design

This project challenged me to work quickly while making intentional, user-centered decisions.

Having worked in cafés myself, I’ve seen how each closure represents the loss of a community space. This project became more than a design exercise, it was an opportunity to support and give visibility to local businesses.

I learned that even within constraints, thoughtful design can create solutions that connect people, strengthen communities, and make small but meaningful impact.

Discover, support, and explore local cafés

Cups Half Full | Web Design

My Role

Lead Designer

Service Provided

Web Design,
Branding and
Visual Design

Tools

Figma

Duration

3 Days

Overview

Cups Half Full is a self-initiated UX project focused on supporting independent cafés in Vancouver by making them easier to discover and connect with.

Within a 3-day design sprint, I designed a platform that highlights unique, community-driven cafés — helping users explore beyond large chains while supporting local businesses at risk.

As the sole designer, I led research, ideation, and UI design, translating real-world observations into a meaningful digital experience.


The Problem

Independent Cafés Lack Visibility

Independent cafés are struggling due to rising costs, post-pandemic recovery, and strong competition from large chains. While these cafés offer unique, community-driven experiences, many lack the visibility needed to survive.

At the same time, customers:

  • Value unique café experiences

  • Want to support local businesses

  • Rely on social media for discovery

The Solution

Cups Half Full reimagines café discovery as a personalized and community-driven experience, making it easier for users to explore and support local cafés.

Research

Understanding Users and Café Challenges

Through interviews and observations, I explored both customer behaviors and the challenges faced by café owners.

This revealed:

  • Customers value unique experiences and community

  • Social media strongly influences café visits

  • Many people want to support local businesses but struggle to discover them

At the same time, cafés face:

  • Rising rent and operational costs

  • Reduced foot traffic post-COVID

  • Competition from large chains

  • Market saturation

Insights

Intent doesn’t translate into action

Users want to support local cafés, but lack the tools to easily find them. This revealed a key opportunity:

Bridge the gap between wanting to support local and actually discovering local cafés.

Ideation

Making discovery intuitive and engaging

I explored ways to shift café discovery from a basic search function into an experience-driven journey.

Early concepts focused on:

  • Simplicity and ease of use

  • Highlighting uniqueness over popularity

  • Encouraging exploration through filters and visuals

UI Design

Creating a friendly and reliable interface

The visual direction emphasizes:

  • Warmth and approachability

  • Trust and reliability

  • A balance between modern and cozy aesthetics

Branding

Optimism as a design principle

The name reflects positivity and community, inspired by the phrase “glass half full. It reinforces the idea that cafés are spaces of connection, creativity, and shared experiences.

Prototype

Designing Within a 3-Day Sprint

Given the short timeline, I created a high-fidelity prototype to communicate the core experience, visual direction, and key interactions.

Future Opportunities

Taking the platform further

✏️Expand features and additional screens

🧪 Conduct usability testing with users and café owners

📊 Deepen research with local communities

💻 Develop a fully interactive prototype

Reflection

Empathy drives meaningful design

This project challenged me to work quickly while making intentional, user-centered decisions.

Having worked in cafés myself, I’ve seen how each closure represents the loss of a community space. This project became more than a design exercise, it was an opportunity to support and give visibility to local businesses.

I learned that even within constraints, thoughtful design can create solutions that connect people, strengthen communities, and make small but meaningful impact.