Skybar
Skybar Own Customer-Centered App — Saving Staff Time and ₱20k+ Monthly
Skybar Own Customer-Centered App — Saving Staff Time and ₱20k+ Monthly
2024 | PH
MY ROLE
Product Designer
TEAM
1 UI/UX Designer
2 Project Manager,
1 Technical Director,
8 Developers
DELIVERABLES
User Research & interview,
Stakeholder workshops,
Journey map
Micro-interactions & motion design,
Component library,
Brand-aligned launch assets,
Mid & High Fidelity wireframe,
Clickable prototype,
MVP
Design rationale documentation,
Business & UX alignment deck,
Strategic ownership
TIMELINE
2 months
CONSTRAINTS
High menu volume
Budget limitations
Tight timeline
Information hierarchy
Scalability concerns
Limited digital maturity
Every project starts with a story.
For me, Skybar’s story began with a single sentence from the owner:
owner
“Our customers spend more time waiting for service than enjoying our food and drinks.”
It wasn’t just inefficiency — it was friction that customers and staff felt every day.
THE REALITY
Protecting the Magic While Fixing the Friction
Skybar was bleeding time, energy, and money by relying on third-party POS systems. Waiters juggled between tables and machines, while customers waved their hands in the air hoping someone would notice them.
And yet — the place had magic.
By day, it welcomed families and professionals. By night, it pulsed with neon and music.
Skybar didn’t just want an ordering app. They wanted to own their system — to eliminate third-party costs, save waiters’ time, and create an experience that felt truly theirs.
EMPATHIZE
Listening Before Designing.
I believe good design starts with listening, not sketching.
So, I immersed myself in
Skybar’s world
Customer
What frustrates you most when dining here?
Staff
What slows you down when serving?
Owner
What do you want to feel when you look at this app in action?
I asked questions to uncover real needs
What surfaced was clear: this wasn’t just about ordering.
It was about speed, freedom, and identity woven into the dining experience.
REFRAMING THE PROBLEM
More Than Just Digitizing Menu
At first, it seemed like the goal was simply digitizing menu.
But after observing Skybar’s flow and talking to people, I found deeper friction points in their process:
Costly Dependencies
Relying on third-party apps cut into profits and limited how much Skybar could express its own identity.
Slow Ordering
Waiters had to manually input orders, slowing down peak service and frustrating customers in a hurry.
Missed Opportunities
With staff stretched thin, upselling or suggesting specials often slipped through.
Inconsistent Experience
The warm, lively vibe of Skybar didn’t fully carry into the ordering flow — making the digital touchpoints feel disconnected from the brand.
I reframed their ask into a single compass question:
How do we create a digital ordering experience that speeds up service, saves costs, and still feels as warm and vibrant as Skybar itself?
DESIGN PRINCIPLE
Designing With Intent
I didn’t want to just “digitize the menu.” That would solve the wrong problem.
Instead, I designed around four strategic pillars:
Business Efficiency
Cut third-party costs, streamline operations.
Staff Empowerment
Reduce repetitive tasks, give waiters time back.
Human-Centered Experience
Make ordering intuitive, but never cold or transactional.
Skybar Ownership
Build a solution Skybar truly owns, reflecting its unique brand and independence.
IDEATION THROUGH ITERATION
Shaping Ideas by Testing Them Early
We cycled through many iterations, exploring how and what data to show, and how the flow should feel. In testing, one truth became obvious: Skybar’s menu was overwhelming. With so many options, customers froze — scrolling, hesitating, second-guessing. What was meant to be abundance turned into choice paralysis.
Imagine sitting at a table, staring at a menu with hundred items. You’re torn between dishes and drinks, unsure what’s best, and out of the corner of your eye, you notice the waiter patiently waiting. The longer you hesitate, the more anxious you feel — not just about what to eat, but about holding up the flow of service. That tension didn’t just frustrate guests; it slowed down staff and created friction on both sides.
Through low-fi prototypes and honest feedback from both customers and staff, we shaped the flow into something intuitive. Categories gave structure, best-sellers surfaced quickly, and day/night specials matched the vibe. Customers could now browse and order effortlessly, while staff received clean, organized requests without chasing down details.
From Tap to Table, with Skybar Warmth.
Technology makes it simple, but hospitality keeps it human.
We also refined how orders traveled through the system. Once a customer placed an order, it first appeared on the waiter’s device. The waiter would confirm the details with the guest, then forward the order to the kitchen. This extra step respected Skybar’s standard of hospitality — giving guests reassurance and keeping staff in the loop — while still cutting the wasted movements of juggling between tables and machines. More importantly, it gave guests the freedom to order when they were ready, without waving down a waiter, while giving staff more control: every order came in structured, timed, and tagged by table, cutting down on confusion.
Another key decision came with how customers accessed the app. We explored multiple entry points and concluded that a dual approach worked best: NFC for a simple tap with a phone, and a QR code for broader compatibility. This gave Skybar flexibility while ensuring no guest was left behind.
A Seamless Dining Experience, Right From Your Phone
A Seamless Dining Experience, Right From Your Phone
At Skybar, we’ve reimagined the way you dine. One tap/scan connects you to our menu, our staff, and our service — all designed to move as smoothly as the night itself.
It’s a slow, easy night — music in the background, city lights above. You’re in the mood for a drink, but not for waiting. One quick scan on your table, and the Skybar app welcomes you — your table, your menu, your night.
Start your dining experience in a single gesture.
Start your dining experience in a single gesture.
You will tap RFID tag or scans a QR code placed on the table using your smartphone.
No apps to install. No sign-ups. Just tap / scan, and dine.
No apps to install. No sign-ups. Just tap / scan, and dine.
A friendly welcome appears the moment you scan — confirming your table and offering simple choices: call a waiter, view the menu, or check out Skybar’s latest offers.
Curated for every kind of guest
Curated for every kind of guest
The menu is thoughtfully curated — organized by popularity, time of day, and Skybar’s signature selections, complete with its own dietary filters.
Designed to be clear.
Designed to be clear.
Every number, every offer — presented beautifully and honestly.
Still human. Still personal.
Still human. Still personal.
Technology assists, hospitality remains.
A system that speaks directly to your waiter — in real time.
A system that speaks directly to your waiter — in real time.
Every table at Skybar comes with its own digital identity — a unique QR code and NFC tag that instantly links guests to their exact table when scanned or tapped. This connection allows the system to recognize where each order or request is coming from, making the experience smooth and personal. Each table is also assigned to a primary waiter by default, ensuring consistent and attentive service. But if that waiter happens to be absent or unavailable, the system automatically reassigns their tables to available staff based on who’s least busy or most suited at the moment. This smart assignment keeps the workflow balanced and efficient. As soon as a guest interacts with their table, the system instantly alerts the assigned waiter, ensuring no call or order goes unnoticed.
The result — a seamless connection between guests and staff, where technology quietly powers an effortless dining experience.
Meet Alyssa, she's waiter in skybar and doesn’t have to guess which table needs her. The system notifies her right away — a guest just placed an order, and she’s already on her way.
The data shown in this video is for placeholder purposes only and is intended for prototype demonstration.
Alyssa greets her guests with a warm smile — effortless and genuine. As she approaches the table, the system already shows her the guest’s order. She confirms it with a friendly nod, then sends it straight to the kitchen with a tap. But tonight, the guest is ready to settle early. Alyssa simply asks for their preferred payment method — and in moments, the transaction is complete.
No waiting, no confusion, just smooth service from start to finish.
Clarity served with every order.
Clarity served with every order.
You’ll always know what’s happening. Because a seamless dining experience isn’t just about speed — it’s about keeping you effortlessly in the loop.
Only the finest — from plate to pour.
Only the finest — from plate to pour.
At Skybar, every detail is crafted to perfection, ensuring every bite and sip defines quality.
DESIGNED TO MATCH THE MOOD
Designing for Two Faces of Skybar
Skybar isn’t static. It transforms with the clock.
So I designed a dual interface that shifts with the time of day:
Your Experience, in Perfect Timing
Your Experience, in Perfect Timing
The app recognizes the time of day and transforms accordingly — updating the menu, interface, and offers to match your guest’s mood, whether it’s brunch, dinner, or drinks under the stars.
IMPACT AND MEASURABLE OUTCOMES
Real Results That Served Everyone
Skybar’s custom ordering system didn’t just look good — it worked hard.
By owning their own POS experience, the team cut costs, saved time, and brought back what mattered most: human connection.
Every improvement — from smoother service to happier guests — proved that great design drives real business impact.
Monthly Operating Cost
Business
Third-party POS subscription & transaction fees
before
₱20k+ / mnth
After
₱0 / mnth
₱20K+ saved monthly
By replacing costly third-party systems with an in-house app, Skybar gained full ownership, reduced expenses, and redirected savings toward staff and guest experience.
Revenue per Table
Business
Average order value (AOV)
before
₱780
After
₱1,020
+31% increase
Visual menu layout and smart upsells boosted premium orders.
Error Reduction
Staff & Kitchen
Order mistakes reported by kitchen staff
before
1 in 20 orders
After
1 in 100 orders
–95% fewer errors
Order confirmations ensured accuracy before hitting the kitchen.
Brand Perception
Guest & Business
Guest feedback sentiment
before
“Slow but
good food.”
After
“Smooth,
classy, and effortless.”
Shifted perception
Technology supported hospitality instead of overshadowing it.
WHAT NEXT?
Refining & Expanding the Experience.
Loyalty promo
Reservation
Admin System
Split bill interface
Kitchen display system
Favourite in menu
REFLECTION
Designing for Skybar reminded me why I fell in love with UX in the first place — it’s never just about pixels or flows. It’s about people.
Behind every tap was a waiter catching their breath, a guest feeling seen, a business reclaiming its rhythm. What started as a brief to “build an ordering app” became something bigger — a story of ownership, empathy, and transformation.
We didn’t just digitize the process.
We humanized it — and gave Skybar back its heartbeat.
Let's be friends!
Let's be friends!
Made with coffee after gym.
© 2025