Daliogne Catering
From Catering to Creativity: How Building My First Website Ignited a Passion for Design ​​
Tools: XD | InDesign | Wix
Industry: Accommodation & Food Services
March 1 - March 3, 2007
The challenge
Back in 2007, as a brand-new catering company owner, we were itching to stand out and make a splash in the competitive catering world. We needed a website that would not only build our credibility but also amp up our brand and help us grow.
​The outcome​
I had always been fascinated by design, so I decided to dive in and create our website myself, my very first. It was a wild ride, but the result was awesome! The website boosted our business' credibility and brand presence, leading to major wins, including two big contracts for summer weddings with over 170 guests each. That experience didn’t just skyrocket our catering business—it also ignited my passion for design and set me on a path I’m still on today!
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
Skills
Content strategy
Creative conceptualization
Product management
UX & UI design
UX research
Website design​​
Webmaster
Process work
Color palette
Imagine a family-owned catering company with a Creole twist, dazzling with a palette of forest green, dark purple, gunmetal green, and white. Forest green brings a splash of nature’s freshness, hinting at the high-quality, fresh ingredients used in the dishes. Dark purple adds a touch of elegance and a nod to the rich, vibrant Creole culture. Gunmetal green gives a sleek, modern edge without losing that cozy, family feel, while white provides a crisp, clean backdrop that makes key elements pop. Together, these colors create a distinctive and memorable brand that feels both sophisticated and deeply rooted in its cultural heritage, making every event a feast for the eyes and the taste buds!​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
Typography
Pairing Verdana and Courier New is like mixing the best of both worlds in a fun, stylish way! Verdana brings that modern, crisp vibe, making everything super easy to read whether it’s on a screen or in print. It’s approachable and friendly, perfect for keeping things fresh. Fresh typography is like the secret sauce for a catering company—it adds flavor to everything! Just as the food is creative and delicious, modern typefaces show that the brand is lively and
on-trend.
Then you have Courier New, with its classic typewriter charm that adds a cool retro twist. It’s structured, professional, and full of character. Together, they create a dynamic duo—Verdana’s sleekness keeps things clear, while Courier New adds a dash of old-school flair. It’s like having the perfect blend of modern and vintage, making your content stand out with both clarity and personality!
Empathize
To kick off phase 1 of this project, I dove into some research by chatting with three brides and two event planners. It was all about getting into their shoes and understanding their needs and desires.
​
From this research, I identified key issues. I used these insights to ensure our design stayed centered on addressing these user needs and pain points.
Define
I clarified our design goals and tailored my pitch to my partner, making sure it was customized to our specific needs and objectives.​
​
The purpose of this project is to design a tasteful and aesthetically pleasing website that allows users to:
-
Review Menu, Service, and Pricing: Quickly and efficiently access detailed information on menu options, services, and competitive pricing.
-
Contact Staff: Easily get in touch with staff for questions and quotes without hassle.
-
View Reviews and Venues: Read past customer reviews and browse a list of recommended venue options to make informed decisions.
I determined a value proposition to ensure that users have a reason to use the product that I am creating, as opposed to any other product currently available.
Ideate
To better understand the competitive landscape, I conducted a brief audit and feature comparison of two catering websites. I discovered that Twelve Baskets Catering was recognized as the Best Seattle Catering Company by Seattle Magazine, while Herban Feast stood out as an award-winning provider with a focus on custom, seasonal catering, bar service, and venue options, backed by decades of expertise.
​
However, at the time, neither of these competitors offered lists of preferred vendors or venues, nor did they provide visible pricing. Seasonal menus were available, but users had to contact the companies directly to obtain pricing information.
Information architecture
I created a list of product requirements and mapped out the website’s features and categories, organizing them in a clear site hierarchy.
This structure was designed to prioritize pages based on importance, particularly for menu offerings, while also allowing users the freedom to navigate and explore the site in a
non-linear, matrix-style way.
Prototype
Developing designs
We were crunched for time, so I jumped straight into the Wix editor to plot out the website layouts as a working prototype. This hands-on approach allowed me to present the temporary site to my partner, gathering feedback on the overall layout and structure.
​
It also gave me the chance to quickly build user interfaces (UIs), where I could focus on nailing the look and style of the website while still keeping the project moving forward.​​​
Test
Validating the Designs
To validate the new designs, I conducted moderated usability testing sessions with a small, diverse group of three brides. The goal was to determine whether the designs effectively addressed their needs and to gather feedback on the overall layout and structure of the website.
​
Gathering Insights
After collecting the data, I analyzed and synthesized the study results, grouping any issues under common themes and features. Based on these insights, I made revisions to bridge the gap between my initial understanding of the users and what they actually experienced and needed.
​
​
​​​
Design system
I then created a design system in Adobe XD, focusing on:
-
How do we represent our brand?
-
How do we draw the users in?
​Imagine a catering website that feels like stepping into a lush, enchanted forest where luxury meets elegance. With the deep, inviting tones of forest green and dark purple, you'll immediately sense the freshness and sophistication of the services. White spaces keep things crisp and clean, while touches of black add that timeless, classy finish. This color palette doesn't just look good—it sets the stage for a dining experience that’s as memorable as it is delicious!
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​Developing the interactive designs
After diving into a world of colors and creativity, I took every nugget of feedback and whipped up a prototype that's fresh and exciting!
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
Implementation and reflection
End result and what my work accomplished
From launching my very first website to landing big wedding contracts, serving at stunning venues like Tibbett’s Creek Manor, Seattle Arboretum, Edmonds Yacht Club, and Lake Washington Rowing Club, my journey has been a whirlwind of creativity and success.
​
Highlights include a fabulous Two-Day Grand Opening for Ambrosia Med Spa, a festive Holiday Party for Renton Car Pros - Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, and an engaging Sales Team Building Event for Attachmate.​
​
Those early days in catering didn’t just fill bellies—they fueled my passion for UX design, propelling me into a career where I now craft digital experiences with the same care and flair.
Even though the catering chapter has closed, the spark it ignited in me is still very much alive, guiding me on this exciting path in design!​​
 |  |  |
|---|
Impact on users​
Lessons learned
​
From concept to completion
From a self-taught design enthusiast to a champion of Responsive Web Design (RWD), my journey has been nothing short of a thrilling adventure! I quickly discovered that making websites work beautifully across all devices wasn’t just a techy challenge—it was the key to a fantastic user experience. So, I dove into screen sizes, resized headers, and made sure every pixel worked its magic.
My hunger to learn keeps me pushing the boundaries, ensuring that every design I touch not only looks great but works like a charm!​
