Telus Digital
Tropical
Smoothie Cafe
Turning an open-ended research sprint into the foundation for TSC's in-store kiosk
Role
Product Design Intern
Timeline
May - August 2026
Team
Design (5): Director, Manager, Staff, Senior
Leads (2): Product & Delivery
Tools
Figma
Figjam
Figma Motion
Jira
LONG STORY SHORT
I led the research and early design for Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s in-store kiosk
During my summer internship at Telus Digital, I joined the Tropical Smoothie Cafe (TSC) project near the end of its first scope of work. During a two-week transition before the second scope began, I initiated an independent workstream to lay the groundwork for TSC’s kiosk experience by researching best practices, analyzing competitors & the existing experience, and establishing the UX foundation for the new kiosk.
Some of my several accomplishments included:
01. Research
Owned the end-to-end research process, conducting desk research, on-site competitive analysis, auditing the existing experience, journey mapping, and information architecture to establish the UX foundation for the kiosk experience.
02. alignment
Delivered key research insights in a workshop that aligned the team and key stakeholders on kiosk strategy, leading the VP of Digital Technology to request a condensed presentation for the CEO focused on the design best practices & competitive analysis.
03. Design
Proactively designed the kiosk’s attract screens, incorporating Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s new brand identity and motion design to create an engaging first impression aligned with the company’s strategic pillars, and encourage customer interaction.
With research and initial alignment complete, the final phase of my internship was dedicated to bringing some of the new kiosk experience to life. At this point, I took ownership of designing the first in-store touchpoint: the kiosk Attract Screen.
The final attract screen design
Balancing System Clarity with Walk-up Discoverability
As one of the first touchpoints guests see when entering the cafe, the Attract Screen serves as the welcome stage of the kiosk journey. To turn passive foot traffic into active users, the screen balances two core components grounded in our information architecture: Item Discoverability & Clarity of System.
The result is the union of these elements in a predefined loop (‘Order Here’ → Category Promo → ‘Order Here’) using fluid motion design to help the kiosk stand out in a branded environment.
ITEM DISCOVERABILITY
Why?
To support the brand’s strategic pillar of “Craveworthy Discovery” that aims to present its customers with what Tropical Smoothie Cafe has to offer.
How is it done?
Through the showcasing of vibrant menu items along with strategic copy, and use of motion design.
Clarity of System
Why?
To ensure users immediately recognize the screen as an interactive ordering station instead of a passive monitor with marketing content.
How is it done?
Through prominent ‘Order Here’ phrasing, prominent ‘Start Order’ CTA, clear payment disclaimers, and persistent accessibility controls.
promotional content & motion design
The Anatomy of the Kiosk Attract Screen
Rather than designing each individual promotional screen, I approached the attract experience as a scalable content framework. My goal was to create a flexible structure that could accommodate Tropical Smoothie Cafe's evolving library of products, photography, seasonal campaigns, and promotional messaging while preserving a consistent and cohesive user experience.
scroll →
Craveworthy Imagery
I incorporated large, high-quality food photography to make each menu item the focal point of the experience. This allows users to discover and crave items before they begin ordering.
Actionable Discovery
If a guest discovers a menu item through the attract loop, they should be able to order it. Instead of treating product names as footnotes, I made them a core part of the visual hierarchy so each featured item is easily identifiable.
Purposeful motion
In a space already filled with vibrant branding, a static screen risks fading into the background. I incorporated motion design to create a dynamic first impression that naturally attracts attention while communicating energy and personality.
beyond the kiosk
Cross-Platform Scope
Throughout my 12-week internship, I also contributed to Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s responsive web and mobile app platforms, designing notification flows, error states, and banner components to support the broader Brand 1.5 rollout (a transitional bridge toward the full TSC rebrand).
MOBILE highlight
One of my mobile explorations focused on a gap in the customization experience: while customers could substitute or remove ingredients, there was no established way to add extra portions of core ingredients. I explored different approaches and proposed a more unified way to modify ingredients within the product detail page.
⚓︎︎ Additional work
Telus Digital
Tropical
Smoothie Cafe
Turning an open-ended research sprint into the foundation for TSC's in-store kiosk
Role
Product Design Intern
Timeline
May - August 2026
Team
Design (5): Director, Manager, Staff, Senior
Leads (2): Product & Delivery
Tools
Figma
Figjam
Figma Motion
Jira
LONG STORY SHORT
I led the research and early design for Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s in-store kiosk
During my summer internship at Telus Digital, I joined the Tropical Smoothie Cafe (TSC) project near the end of its first scope of work. During a two-week transition before the second scope began, I initiated an independent workstream to lay the groundwork for TSC’s kiosk experience by researching best practices, analyzing competitors & the existing experience, and establishing the UX foundation for the new kiosk.
Some of my several accomplishments included:
01. Research
Owned the end-to-end research process, conducting desk research, on-site competitive analysis, auditing the existing experience, journey mapping, and information architecture to establish the UX foundation for the kiosk experience.
02. alignment
Delivered key research insights in a workshop that aligned the team and key stakeholders on kiosk strategy, leading the VP of Digital Technology to request a condensed presentation for the CEO focused on the design best practices & competitive analysis.
03. Design
Proactively designed the kiosk’s attract screens, incorporating Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s new brand identity and motion design to create an engaging first impression aligned with the company’s strategic pillars, and encourage customer interaction.
With research and initial alignment complete, the final phase of my internship was dedicated to bringing some of the new kiosk experience to life. At this point, I took ownership of designing the first in-store touchpoint: the kiosk Attract Screen.
The final attract screen design
Balancing System Clarity with Walk-up Discoverability
As one of the first touchpoints guests see when entering the cafe, the Attract Screen serves as the welcome stage of the kiosk journey. To turn passive foot traffic into active users, the screen balances two core components grounded in our information architecture: Item Discoverability & Clarity of System.
The result is the union of these elements in a predefined loop (‘Order Here’ → Category Promo → ‘Order Here’) using fluid motion design to help the kiosk stand out in a branded environment.
ITEM DISCOVERABILITY
Why?
To support the brand’s strategic pillar of “Craveworthy Discovery” that aims to present its customers with what Tropical Smoothie Cafe has to offer.
How is it done?
Through the showcasing of vibrant menu items along with strategic copy, and use of motion design.
Clarity of System
Why?
To ensure users immediately recognize the screen as an interactive ordering station instead of a passive monitor with marketing content.
How is it done?
Through prominent ‘Order Here’ phrasing, prominent ‘Start Order’ CTA, clear payment disclaimers, and persistent accessibility controls.
promotional content & motion design
The Anatomy of the Kiosk Attract Screen
Rather than designing each individual promotional screen, I approached the attract experience as a scalable content framework. My goal was to create a flexible structure that could accommodate Tropical Smoothie Cafe's evolving library of products, photography, seasonal campaigns, and promotional messaging while preserving a consistent and cohesive user experience.
scroll →
Craveworthy Imagery
I incorporated large, high-quality food photography to make each menu item the focal point of the experience. This allows users to discover and crave items before they begin ordering.
Actionable Discovery
If a guest discovers a menu item through the attract loop, they should be able to order it. Instead of treating product names as footnotes, I made them a core part of the visual hierarchy so each featured item is easily identifiable.
Purposeful motion
In a space already filled with vibrant branding, a static screen risks fading into the background. I incorporated motion design to create a dynamic first impression that naturally attracts attention while communicating energy and personality.
beyond the kiosk
Cross-Platform Scope
Throughout my 12-week internship, I also contributed to Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s responsive web and mobile app platforms, designing notification flows, error states, and banner components to support the broader Brand 1.5 rollout (a transitional bridge toward the full TSC rebrand).
MOBILE highlight
One of my mobile explorations focused on a gap in the customization experience: while customers could substitute or remove ingredients, there was no established way to add extra portions of core ingredients. I explored different approaches and proposed a more unified way to modify ingredients within the product detail page.
⚓︎︎ Additional work
Telus Digital
Tropical
Smoothie Cafe
Turning an open-ended research sprint into the foundation for TSC's in-store kiosk
Role
Product Design Intern
Timeline
May - August 2026
Team
Design (5): Director, Manager, Staff, Senior
Leads (2): Product & Delivery
Tools
Figma
Figjam
Figma Motion
Jira
LONG STORY SHORT
I led the research and early design for Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s in-store kiosk
During my summer internship at Telus Digital, I joined the Tropical Smoothie Cafe (TSC) project near the end of its first scope of work. During a two-week transition before the second scope began, I initiated an independent workstream to lay the groundwork for TSC’s kiosk experience by researching best practices, analyzing competitors & the existing experience, and establishing the UX foundation for the new kiosk.
Some of my several accomplishments included:
01. Research
Owned the end-to-end research process, conducting desk research, on-site competitive analysis, auditing the existing experience, journey mapping, and information architecture to establish the UX foundation for the kiosk experience.
02. alignment
Delivered key research insights in a workshop that aligned the team and key stakeholders on kiosk strategy, leading the VP of Digital Technology to request a condensed presentation for the CEO focused on the design best practices & competitive analysis.
03. Design
Proactively designed the kiosk’s attract screens, incorporating Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s new brand identity and motion design to create an engaging first impression aligned with the company’s strategic pillars, and encourage customer interaction.
With research and initial alignment complete, the final phase of my internship was dedicated to bringing some of the new kiosk experience to life. At this point, I took ownership of designing the first in-store touchpoint: the kiosk Attract Screen.
The final attract screen design
Balancing System Clarity with Walk-up Discoverability
As one of the first touchpoints guests see when entering the cafe, the Attract Screen serves as the welcome stage of the kiosk journey. To turn passive foot traffic into active users, the screen balances two core components grounded in our information architecture: Item Discoverability & Clarity of System.
The result is the union of these elements in a predefined loop (‘Order Here’ → Category Promo → ‘Order Here’) using fluid motion design to help the kiosk stand out in a branded environment.
ITEM DISCOVERABILITY
Why?
To support the brand’s strategic pillar of “Craveworthy Discovery” that aims to present its customers with what Tropical Smoothie Cafe has to offer.
How is it done?
Through the showcasing of vibrant menu items along with strategic copy, and use of motion design.
Clarity of System
Why?
To ensure users immediately recognize the screen as an interactive ordering station instead of a passive monitor with marketing content.
How is it done?
Through prominent ‘Order Here’ phrasing, prominent ‘Start Order’ CTA, clear payment disclaimers, and persistent accessibility controls.
promotional content & motion design
The Anatomy of the Kiosk Attract Screen
Rather than designing each individual promotional screen, I approached the attract experience as a scalable content framework. My goal was to create a flexible structure that could accommodate Tropical Smoothie Cafe's evolving library of products, photography, seasonal campaigns, and promotional messaging while preserving a consistent and cohesive user experience.
Craveworthy Imagery
I incorporated large, high-quality food photography to make each menu item the focal point of the experience. This allows users to discover and crave items before they begin ordering.
Actionable Discovery
If a guest discovers a menu item through the attract loop, they should be able to order it. Instead of treating product names as footnotes, I made them a core part of the visual hierarchy so each featured item is easily identifiable.
Purposeful motion
In a space already filled with vibrant branding, a static screen risks fading into the background. I incorporated motion design to create a dynamic first impression that naturally attracts attention while communicating energy and personality.
beyond the kiosk
Cross-Platform Scope
Throughout my 12-week internship, I also contributed to Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s responsive web and mobile app platforms, designing notification flows, error states, and banner components to support the broader Brand 1.5 rollout (a transitional bridge toward the full TSC rebrand).
MOBILE highlight
One of my mobile explorations focused on a gap in the customization experience: while customers could substitute or remove ingredients, there was no established way to add extra portions of core ingredients. I explored different approaches and proposed a more unified way to modify ingredients within the product detail page.
⚓︎︎ Additional work