The Rising Sun website redesign

In progress UX design Figma User testing Prototyping

Project

Website redesign for The Rising Sun pub in Sheffield.

Brief

  • Create a new website that makes it easier for customers to view menus, upcoming events and book a table.
  • Design a modern, mobile-friendly website that is reflective of the pub's personality and community feel.

The problem

The Rising Sun’s website wasn’t working for their customers — it was outdated, hard to navigate, and didn’t reflect the warmth or vibrancy of the pub. The venue was struggling to promote events online and missed opportunities for table bookings.

  • Outdated design and no mobile optimisation
  • Menus and event listings were hard to find
  • Booking and contact info buried too deep

Research

Customer interviews
  • Ran a short survey with pub customers
  • Common themes: wanted to check menus quickly, see live events, and book tables easily
Stakeholder discussions
  • Spoke with pub manager and bar staff
  • Goals: reflect the venue’s energy, promote events, and increase bookings
Competitor research

To understand what works well in the gastropub and hospitality industry, I analysed a mix of local competitors and larger chain restaurant websites. I focused on the usability, hierarchy and how the menus were displayed online.

Competitors included:

  • The Broadfield
  • The York
  • The Lescar

Other websites for inspiration:

  • Ask Italian
  • Pizza Express
  • Miller & Carter
Research findings

After speaking to stakeholders and customers and analysing competitor websites, I identified a series of patterns and opportunities.

  • Strong imagery helps users feel the atmosphere and quality before visiting
  • Clear navigation helps users find menus and other relevant information easily
  • Strong CTAs help encourage users to book a table and view the menu
  • Online menus allow users to browse the menu easily and filter by allergens

Design process

1

Site audit and creating the site map
  • Analysed the existing content on the website to understand content structure and identify what users struggled to find.
  • Simplified the navigation around the main findings in the research to allow users to easily book a table and view the menu.

2

Wireframing
  • Created low-fidelity wireframes to establish the layout and hierarchy of information, focusing on user-friendly navigation.
  • Iteratively refined wireframes based on stakeholder feedback to ensure alignment with the pub's branding and user needs.

3

High Fidelity Prototyping
  • Designed high-fidelity prototypes incorporating visual elements like imagery, typography, and color schemes to reflect the pub's atmosphere.
  • Utilised interactive prototypes to simulate user interactions, facilitating stakeholder reviews and early-stage usability testing.

4

User Feedback
  • Conducted usability testing sessions with a diverse group of users to gather insights on the prototype's functionality and design.
  • Analysed feedback to identify common pain points and preferences, informing subsequent design refinements for improved user experience.

[email protected]|+44(0)7535 413548

[email protected] +44(0)7535 413548

© 2025 Matt Winning