Case study · Mobile app · 2023
Best Seat in the House
Choose your table at a restaurant the way you’d choose a seat on a flight.
The problem
You booked the hottest table in town. Then they seat you next to the kitchen.
Reservation apps get you a time slot, not a seat. Diners arrive not knowing where they’ll sit, and special nights end up beside the bathroom door. Apps like OpenTable and Resy don’t let you choose.
The solution
A floor plan in your pocket, and a reason to come back.
Open seats, right now
A personal home screen with tables available tonight and your VIP point balance.
Know the room first
Photos, ratings and details for every restaurant before you commit.
Pick the Best Seat
Choose your table, redeem points and add special requests in one flow.
The process
How I got there
5 interviews, a 35-person survey and a competitive look at OpenTable and Resy.
An affinity map, two personas (Anthony and Veronica) and three How-Might-We questions.
Sketches, mid-fi wireframes and a dark, minimal brand with purple and teal accents.
3 participants booked a table and redeemed points on the prototype.
Results
All three testers finished both tasks with ease and rated the experience 10 out of 10.
Deposits commit diners to their booking, which cuts no-shows for restaurants. VIP points give guests a reason to come back.
Reflection
My DesignLab capstone, and the project that showed me hospitality and UX are the same job: anticipate what the guest needs before they ask.
