MOBILE APP
La Mercerie
DESCRIPTION
The La Mercerie app unifies reservations, menu browsing, and retail shopping in one seamless platform. It streamlines the customer experience while maintaining the brand’s focus on elegance and detail.
SCOPE
User Research, Design Strategy, Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability Testing
MY
ROLE
Solo
UX Researcher
UX Designer
Visual Designer
PROJECT
OVERVIEW
01.
Project Overview
The La Mercerie Mobile App seamlessly integrates restaurant reservations, menu exploration, and luxury retail shopping in one platform. Designed to reflect the brand’s elegance, the app provides an intuitive way for users to book tables, browse detailed menus, and purchase curated homeware from RW Guild. Through user research and iterative design, the app streamlines the journey between dining and shopping, creating a refined and cohesive experience.
02.
Challenge
La Mercerie’s guests face a fragmented experience when making reservations, browsing the menu, and shopping for curated homeware, relying on multiple platforms that lack cohesion. This disconnect diminishes brand engagement and creates unnecessary friction in the customer journey.
03.
Solution
Design a seamless, elegant, and intuitive experience that allows guests to effortlessly book reservations, explore the menu with dietary filters, and shop curated homeware - bridging the gap between dining and luxury retail in a single, cohesive platform.
DESIGN
PROCESS
01. EMPATHIZE
Conduct user research to understand their needs, pain points, and behaviors.
02. DEFINE
Synthesize insights to clearly outline the problem statement and user goals.
03. IDEATE
Brainstorm and explore creative solutions to address user needs effectively.
04. PROTOTYPE
Build interactive wireframes or high-fidelity designs to visualize and test concepts.
05. TEST
Gather feedback from users, iterate on designs, and refine the experience for better usability.
USER
RESEARCH
01.
Research Summary
To create a seamless La Mercerie mobile app, I researched user needs to align with the brand’s refined dining and retail experience. I analyzed the in-person experience, conducted six surveys and interviews, and uncovered key frustrations around reservation booking, menu transparency, checkout simplicity, and retail integration. Using an empathy map, I identified key pain points, developed user personas, and conducted a competitive audit to refine uniquity. These insights shaped the app’s features, ensuring a balance of accessibility, luxury, and personalization.
02.
Pain Points
Booking Reservations – High Demand and Limited Availability
La Mercerie’s popularity makes securing a reservation, especially for larger groups, challenging. To improve accessibility, the app should incorporate real-time availability updates, a waitlist feature, and flexible booking options to enhance the reservation process.
Lack of Pre-Visit Communication
Guests may feel unprepared if key details, such as dress code or special dining policies, aren’t communicated before their visit. To enhance the user experience, the app should include automated reservation confirmations with essential visit details and push notifications for any updates or changes, ensuring a smooth and stress-free dining experience.
Dining Experience – Menu Complexity
Customers unfamiliar with French cuisine may find menu descriptions insufficient, leading to confusion. The app will feature detailed dish descriptions, specify food allergens, and dietary filters to ensure users can make informed dining choices and feel confident in their selections.
Shopping in the Retail Space – Limited Product Availability
Diners may be disappointed when items seen in the restaurant aren’t available for purchase. To bridge this gap, the app should include real-time inventory updates, alternative product suggestions, and an option to pre-order or request restocks, ensuring a seamless transition from dining to shopping.
APP
NAVIGATION
Site Map
The La Mercerie mobile app site map is structured to provide a seamless, intuitive user experience centered around dining, retail, and personalization. The primary navigation is subdivided into Home, Menu, Reservations, Shop, and Account. As seen in the image of the site map below, this hierarchy ensures easy navigation and aligns with La Mercerie's goal of unifying dining and retail in one luxury digital experience.
paper
wireframes
