My Ideation Process
After building personas for user reference, I like to create a project goals diagram to assess the needs and goals of the business. This helps me identify areas where user and business needs may overlap. This method of data synthesis also helps me prioritize product features.
Project Goals Diagraming is personally my favorite part of data synthesis as it always feels like an "Aha!" moment for informing the necessary features of my design. I then start creating screens by sketching out possible layouts.
Byte Sized
An end to end mobile application that breaks down menu training into bite sized pieces.
An end to end mobile application that breaks down menu training into bite sized pieces.
Due to ongoing staff shortages, current restaurant training is often chaotic, outdated, or nonexistent. New servers are thrown into the deep end, expected to memorize the menu on the fly—which leads to confusion, mistakes, and frustrated staff (and customers). This problem negatively impacts staff retention, guest experience, and operational efficiency.
Due to ongoing staff shortages, current restaurant training is often chaotic, outdated, or nonexistent. New servers are thrown into the deep end, expected to memorize the menu on the fly—which leads to confusion, mistakes, and frustrated staff (and customers). This problem negatively impacts staff retention, guest experience, and operational efficiency.
The Problem
The Problem
My Role
UX Research
UX/UI Design
Usability Testing
Branding
My Role
UX Research
UX/UI Design
Usability Testing
Branding
Platform
iOS Mobile Application
Platform
iOS Mobile Application
Duration
2 Weeks
(solo capstone project)
Duration
2 Weeks
(solo project)
Tools
Figma
Adobe Suite
Miro
Freepik Stock Photos
Tools
Figma
Adobe Suite
Miro
Freepik Stock Photos
Research - User Interviews
Research - User Interviews
I interviewed 15 current and former industry professionals from servers to restaurant owners to understand how they actually learn & train a menu. I discovered a major theme…
I interviewed 15 current and former industry professionals from servers to restaurant owners to understand how they actually learn & train a menu. I discovered a major theme…
"We believe consistency to be the most effective method for training our teams"
— Corporate Trainer
"We could definitely be better at following up on menu retention— consistently reinforcing the basics."
— Executive Chef
"You usually have a different trainer every night so it's pretty inconsistent."
— Server
"We strive to provide the very best every time for our guests because consistency is the driving force behind repeat business."
— Restaurant Owner
"It's difficult because I can't be there for every training shift and there's a lot of inconsistency from one Trainer's approach to the next"
— Manager
"We believe consistency to be the most effective method for training our teams"
— General Manager
KEY INSIGHTS:
Training Consistency is a Major Issue
Training is Often Self-Directed
Visual Learning is Preferred
Tracking & Reinforcement are Lacking
Gamification & Interactivity Have Strong Potential
KEY INSIGHTS:
Training Consistency is a Major Issue
Training is Often Self-Directed
Visual Learning is Preferred
Tracking & Reinforcement are Lacking
Gamification & Interactivity Have Strong Potential
Research - Competitive Analysis
I found…
TalentLMS is too broad, Connecteam is too operational, and Yelli lacks depth. My app has the potential to combine the best aspects of all three while filling key gaps in restaurant-specific training.
After the interviews I already had some ideas but I analyzed competitors' digital tools used by restaurant teams to explore what users found helpful or frustrating about them.
My Goals for Differentiating Bytesized:
Make it effortless for managers to input menu items and instantly generate learning materials.
Unlike competitors, personalize quizzes based on each employee’s progress.
Give managers in-depth performance tracking & knowledge retention reports.
Keeping Users in Mind
Aspiring Server
Seasoned Server
Manic Manager
Yes Chef
I used insights from user interviews and infinity mapping to discover I had a whopping four user groups. I then created a persona for each group as a reference point for informing the design and keeping their needs in mind.
Click on the Team Members to view their personas!
User
Personas
Project
Goals
Problem Statement #1
Many restaurants rely on self-directed, unstructured menu training, resulting in varied comprehension among servers. They need an engaging training solution that ensures all staff receive consistent & effective menu training.
Problem Statement #2
Current methods of communicating menu updates are often disjointed and prone to omissions, leaving staff unprepared. Staff needs a unified system to communicate menu updates.
Problem Statement #3
Current methods of archiving menu information involve creating lengthy paper materials or using software that is not designed for restaurant needs. Staff needs a “Lookup” tool to quickly access menu information that is difficult to remember.
Visual Design
I began with mood boards and sketching to set the tone. The cropped corner backgrounds were inspired by upscale restaurant menus tucked into leather folios—clean, elevated, and familiar. The logo represents Byte Sized as a step of service: something handed off by a server in an ambiguous uniform. The muted color palette supports scalability across different restaurants and Point of Sale systems, giving the app a refined yet flexible feel.
Testing & Iteration
I discovered during user research that participants unanimously found Allergy Training to be the most difficult part of menu onboarding. Most restaurants have a lengthy process for accommodating food sensitivities, especially in the instance where guests have more than one.
I initially included an AI-powered allergy-safe suggestion tool, but it didn’t pass user testing. Managers felt it undermined the server’s role and slowed service in fine dining environments where modifications are limited. This was a key learning moment: it reminded me of the pitfalls of “feature factory” design. Instead of enhancing menu knowledge, the tool distracted from it. I learned to critically evaluate when a feature truly supports the core problem.
"Aha!" Moments Ensue …
I refined the screens to support learning, not replace it to help staff build confidence in navigating the menu rather than relying on shortcuts.
Final Design
Manager Dashboard
Communicate menu updates at any time and track team progress for overall menu comprehension
Engaging & Consistent Training
An engaging training solution that ensures your entire team receives real time updates and onboarding that is consistent & effective
Opportunities to Grow
Byte Sized empowers your team to build knowledge beyond the menu—supporting career growth whether they're new to service or working toward their next position.
100% of participants said they would have loved using this at their job. I am thrilled to expand my career into creating solutions for working poeple.
I Paused my course to prioritize real user interviews for this project. I was reminded that great design starts with listening.
Designed with scalability in mind—now exploring POS integrations and proud to say Byte Sized is officially trademarked.
Outcome & Reflection
Back to Top
Research - Competitive Analysis
I found…
TalentLMS is too broad, Connecteam is too operational, and Yelli lacks depth. My app has the potential to combine the best aspects of all three while filling key gaps in restaurant-specific training.
After the interviews I already had some ideas but I analyzed competitors' digital tools used by restaurant teams to explore what users found helpful or frustrating about them.
My Goals for Differentiating Bytesized:
Make it effortless for managers to input menu items and instantly generate learning materials.
Unlike competitors, personalize quizzes based on each employee’s progress.
Give managers in-depth performance tracking & knowledge retention reports.
Keeping Users in Mind
Aspiring Server
Seasoned Server
Manic Manager
Yes Chef
I used insights from user interviews and infinity mapping to discover I had a whopping four user groups. I then created a persona for each group as a reference point for informing the design and keeping their needs in mind.
Click on the Team Members to view their personas!
My Ideation Process
My Ideation Process
After building personas for user reference, I like to create a project goals diagram to assess the needs and goals of the business. This helps me identify areas where user and business needs may overlap. This method of data synthesis also helps me prioritize product features.
Project Goals Diagraming is personally my favorite part of data synthesis as it always feels like an "Aha!" moment for informing the necessary features of my design. I then start creating screens by sketching out possible layouts.
User
Personas
Project
Goals
Problem Statement #1
Many restaurants rely on self-directed, unstructured menu training, resulting in varied comprehension among servers. They need an engaging training solution that ensures all staff receive consistent & effective menu training.
Problem Statement #2
Current methods of communicating menu updates are often disjointed and prone to omissions, leaving staff unprepared. Staff needs a unified system to communicate menu updates.
Problem Statement #3
Current methods of archiving menu information involve creating lengthy paper materials or using software that is not designed for restaurant needs. Staff needs a “Lookup” tool to quickly access menu information that is difficult to remember.
Visual Design
I began with mood boards and sketching to set the tone. The cropped corner backgrounds were inspired by upscale restaurant menus tucked into leather folios—clean, elevated, and familiar. The logo represents Byte Sized as a step of service: something handed off by a server in an ambiguous uniform. The muted color palette supports scalability across different restaurants and Point of Sale systems, giving the app a refined yet flexible feel.
Testing & Iteration
I discovered during user research that participants unanimously found Allergy Training to be the most difficult part of menu onboarding. Most restaurants have a lengthy process for accommodating food sensitivities, especially in the instance where guests have more than one.
I initially included an AI-powered allergy-safe suggestion tool, but it didn’t pass user testing. Managers felt it undermined the server’s role and slowed service in fine dining environments where modifications are limited. This was a key learning moment: it reminded me of the pitfalls of “feature factory” design. Instead of enhancing menu knowledge, the tool distracted from it. I learned to critically evaluate when a feature truly supports the core problem.
"Aha!" Moments Ensue …
I refined the screens to support learning, not replace it to help staff build confidence in navigating the menu rather than relying on shortcuts.
Final Design
Manager Dashboard
Communicate menu updates at any time and track team progress for overall menu comprehension
Engaging & Consistent Training
An engaging training solution that ensures your entire team receives real time updates and onboarding that is consistent & effective
Opportunities to Grow
Byte Sized empowers your team to build knowledge beyond the menu—supporting career growth whether they're new to service or working toward their next position.
100% of participants said they would have loved using this at their job. I am thrilled to expand my career into creating solutions for working poeple.
I Paused my course to prioritize real user interviews for this project. I was reminded that great design starts with listening.
Designed with scalability in mind—now exploring POS integrations and proud to say Byte Sized is officially trademarked.
Outcome & Reflection
Back to Top