SNAX
SNAX
SNAX is a snack ordering app designed to help cinema-goers skip queues by placing group orders in advance, saving time and ensuring they never miss a moment of the movie.
SNAX is a snack ordering app designed to help cinema-goers skip queues by placing group orders in advance, saving time and ensuring they never miss a moment of the movie.
Duration
Duration
January 2025
January 2025
to February 2025
Role
UX Designer
UX Researcher
Team
Solo
Tools Used
Figma
Chat Gpt
Google Forms
Photoshop
The problem
The problem
Cinema-goers often face long concession lines that force them to choose between grabbing snacks or missing part of the film. The ordering process is slow, inconvenient, and especially inefficient for groups.
Cinema-goers often face long concession lines that force them to choose between grabbing snacks or missing part of the film. The ordering process is slow, inconvenient, and especially inefficient for groups.
The goal
The goal
To design a mobile-first app that allows users to place group snack orders ahead of time — reducing wait times, avoiding disruptions, and improving the overall movie-going experience.
To design a mobile-first app that allows users to place group snack orders ahead of time — reducing wait times, avoiding disruptions, and improving the overall movie-going experience.
Research
Research
Research Goal
Research Goal
Understand the pain points and expectations of cinema-goers when ordering snacks to identify opportunities for a better experience.
Understand the pain points and expectations of cinema-goers when ordering snacks to identify opportunities for a better experience.
Methods used
Methods used
User interviews with 4 frequent cinema-goers
Competitor analysis of similar features in apps like Atom Tickets, Uber Eats, and Odeon
Journey mapping to track when and how snack orders typically happen during a movie visit
User interviews with 4 frequent cinema-goers
Competitor analysis of similar features in apps like Atom Tickets, Uber Eats, and Odeon
Journey mapping to track when and how snack orders typically happen during a movie visit
User Pain Points
User Pain Points
1
Struggling to Understand Arabic
1
Confusion with Steps and Structure
2
2
Inconsistency & Motivation
3
3
Lack of Reliable, Engaging Resources
4
4
Struggling to Understand Arabic
“Understanding the meanings of Arabic words was hard.”
1
Confusion with Steps and Structure
“A video or animation showing how to pray would’ve helped.”
2
Inconsistency & Motivation
“A Salah tracker with streaks and rewards would motivate me.”
3
Lack of Reliable, Engaging Resources
4
Inconsistency & Motivation
3
Competitive analysis
Competitive analysis
Occupation: Uni Student / Part-time Retail Worker
Occupation: Uni Student /
Part-time Retail Worker
Occupation: Uni Student /
Part-time Retail Worker
Name: Mahin Islam
Name: Mahin Islam
Name: Mahin Islam
Cinema habits: Goes to the cinema 2–3 times a month with friends
Cinema habits: Goes to the cinema
2–3 times a month with friends
Age: 21
Age: 21
Age: 21
💬 Quote
“I just want to sit down and know the snacks are sorted — I hate being the guy holding up the group.”
💬 Quote
“I just want to sit down and know the snacks are sorted — I hate being the guy holding up the group.”
💬 Quote
“I just want to sit down and know the snacks are sorted — I hate being the guy holding up the group.”
🎯 Goals
Enjoy the full movie experience without interruptions
Order snacks ahead of time so he doesn’t miss trailers or scenes
Coordinate snack orders for his group easily
🎯 Goals
Enjoy the full movie experience without interruptions
Order snacks ahead of time so he doesn’t miss trailers or scenes
Coordinate snack orders for his group easily
🎯 Goals
Enjoy the full movie experience without interruptions
Order snacks ahead of time so he doesn’t miss trailers or scenes
Coordinate snack orders for his group easily
😤 Frustrations
Always ends up ordering for everyone last-minute
Gets stuck in the queue and misses movie intros
No app lets him place and customise a group snack order in advance
😤 Frustrations
Always ends up ordering for everyone last-minute
Gets stuck in the queue and misses movie intros
No app lets him place and customise a group snack order in advance
😤 Frustrations
Always ends up ordering for everyone last-minute
Gets stuck in the queue and misses movie intros
No app lets him place and customise a group snack order in advance
Cinema habits: Goes to the cinema
2–3 times a month with friends
Competitive analysis
Competitive analysis
App
Smooth movie
booking + snacks
Group order
feature
Only in
US theatres
Uber
Eats
Odeon
Native snack
order option
No group
or pickup
time feature
Pros
Cons
Atom
Tickets
Doesn't support
concession pickup
App
Smooth movie booking + snacks
Group order feature
Only in US theatres
Only in US
theatres
Uber Eats
Odeon
Native snack order option
No group or pickup time feature
No group or pickup
time feature
Pros
Cons
Atom Tickets
Doesn't support concession pickup
Doesn't support
concession pickup
Ideation & Wireframes
Ideation & Wireframes
Design Goals (based on research)
Design Goals (based on research)
Based on the insights gathered from user feedback, I defined five primary design goals:
Streamline group snack ordering by allowing users to add multiple items in a single flow without confusion.
Allow time-based pre-orders so users can schedule their pickup ahead of the movie and avoid last-minute stress.
Make the experience mobile-first and frictionless, optimised for use in the cinema environment
Minimise payment friction in group scenarios by allowing clear breakdowns and future potential for payment splitting.
Reduce cognitive overload during ordering by showing a clear, step-by-step review of what’s been added and by whom.
Based on the insights gathered from user feedback, I defined five primary design goals:
Streamline group snack ordering by allowing users to add multiple items in a single flow without confusion.
Allow time-based pre-orders so users can schedule their pickup ahead of the movie and avoid last-minute stress.
Make the experience mobile-first and frictionless, optimised for use in the cinema environment
Minimise payment friction in group scenarios by allowing clear breakdowns and future potential for payment splitting.
Reduce cognitive overload during ordering by showing a clear, step-by-step review of what’s been added and by whom.
Feature Ideas
Feature Ideas
To address the user pain points and meet the design goals, I explored the following feature concepts:
🧾 Group Order Builder:
Allows one person to compile a group snack order, adding multiple items with clear quantity and person tagging.
⏰ Time Slot Selection:
Lets users choose a specific pickup time (e.g. 10–15 minutes before the movie starts) to avoid missing scenes.
💸 Split Payment (Future Consideration):
Potential to split the total by item or participant, reducing friction in group scenarios.
⭐ Saved Combos:
Frequent cinema-goers can save favourite orders for faster checkout next time.
🎟 Seat Number Input (Optional):
Option to enter seat numbers to help concession staff find the right customer (useful for in-seat delivery in future).
To address the user pain points and meet the design goals, I explored the following feature concepts:
🧾 Group Order Builder:
Allows one person to compile a group snack order, adding multiple items with clear quantity and person tagging.
⏰ Time Slot Selection:
Lets users choose a specific pickup time (e.g. 10–15 minutes before the movie starts) to avoid missing scenes.
💸 Split Payment (Future Consideration):
Potential to split the total by item or participant, reducing friction in group scenarios.
⭐ Saved Combos:
Frequent cinema-goers can save favourite orders for faster checkout next time.
🎟 Seat Number Input (Optional):
Option to enter seat numbers to help concession staff find the right customer (useful for in-seat delivery in future).
Wireframes
Wireframes
Before diving into high-fidelity design, I sketched and iterated on key low-fidelity wireframes to test layout ideas, user flow, and core features. The goal was to validate that the group ordering experience felt simple and intuitive even in early form.
Before diving into high-fidelity design, I sketched and iterated on key low-fidelity wireframes to test layout ideas, user flow, and core features. The goal was to validate that the group ordering experience felt simple and intuitive even in early form.
Users browse snacks, adjust quantities, and build their group order easily.
Users browse snacks, adjust quantities, and build their group order easily.
Snack Menu Screen
Snack Menu Screen
A clear overview of all items added, broken down by person (if applicable), with real-time cost updates.
A clear overview of all items added, broken down by person (if applicable), with real-time cost updates.
Group order summary
Group order summary
Users select a pickup time before the movie starts, ensuring a smooth experience without queueing.
Users select a pickup time before the movie starts, ensuring a smooth experience without queueing.
Pickup Time Selection
Pickup Time Selection
High fidelty Design
High fidelty Design
After testing the core layout through wireframes, I developed high-fidelity designs focused on quick snack ordering, mobile-first usability, and inclusivity for dietary needs.
I prioritized visual clarity, simplified navigation, and a clean UI tailored for use in dim lighting — like cinema environments.
After testing the core layout through wireframes, I developed high-fidelity designs focused on quick snack ordering, mobile-first usability, and inclusivity for dietary needs.
I prioritized visual clarity, simplified navigation, and a clean UI tailored for use in dim lighting — like cinema environments.
After testing the core layout through wireframes, I developed high-fidelity designs focused on quick snack ordering, mobile-first usability, and inclusivity for dietary needs.
I prioritized visual clarity, simplified navigation, and a clean UI tailored for use in dim lighting — like cinema environments.
Snack Menu
Snack Menu
Snacks are categorized and include icons for halal, vegan, and allergy information. Users can view ingredients and calorie counts to make informed choices.
Snacks are categorized and include icons for halal, vegan, and allergy information. Users can view ingredients and calorie counts to make informed choices.
Group Order Summary
Group Order Summary
Group members can see who ordered what and edit quantities in real time. A clear breakdown shows individual and total prices for transparency.
Group members can see who ordered what and edit quantities in real time. A clear breakdown shows individual and total prices for transparency.
Pickup Time Selection
Pickup Time Selection
Users select a pickup time based on their movie time, ensuring they don’t miss the start of their film.
Users select a pickup time based on their movie time, ensuring they don’t miss the start of their film.
Checkout & Payment
Checkout & Payment
The checkout screen shows a grouped item summary and gives users three flexible payment options: pay for everyone, split by individual orders, or split the total equally. This ensures smoother group coordination and a faster checkout experience.
The checkout screen shows a grouped item summary and gives users three flexible payment options: pay for everyone, split by individual orders, or split the total equally. This ensures smoother group coordination and a faster checkout experience.
Accessibility Considerations
Accessibility Considerations
High-contrast colors for readability in dark settings
Large tap targets for easy mobile interaction
Alt text and labelled icons for screen readers
Icons and labels for halal, vegan, and allergens
High-contrast colors for readability in dark settings
Large tap targets for easy mobile interaction
Alt text and labelled icons for screen readers
Icons and labels for halal, vegan, and allergens
High-contrast colors for readability in dark settings
Large tap targets for easy mobile interaction
Alt text and labelled icons for screen readers
Icons and labels for halal, vegan, and allergens
Design Iterations
Design Iterations
Added ingredient details and calorie info
Included allergen icons for faster recognition
Redesigned the checkout screen for better clarity and flow
Simplified the group order UI to reduce cognitive load
Added ingredient details and calorie info
Included allergen icons for faster recognition
Redesigned the checkout screen for better clarity and flow
Simplified the group order UI to reduce cognitive load
Added ingredient details and calorie info
Included allergen icons for faster recognition
Redesigned the checkout screen for better clarity and flow
Simplified the group order UI to reduce cognitive load
Reflections & Outcomes
Reflections & Outcomes
Outcomes & Impact
Outcomes & Impact
Outcomes & Impact
The final SNAX design streamlined group snack ordering in a way that felt familiar, fast, and accessible.
Users could confidently browse, build, and confirm orders without the stress of holding up their group or missing part of the film.
The addition of payment flexibility and dietary information addressed the most common user pain points uncovered in research.
“The app made it so easy and fun to create a group order. Splitting the bill fairly was just a bonus.” — Peer Feedback
The final SNAX design streamlined group snack ordering in a way that felt familiar, fast, and accessible.
Users could confidently browse, build, and confirm orders without the stress of holding up their group or missing part of the film.
The addition of payment flexibility and dietary information addressed the most common user pain points uncovered in research.
“The app made it so easy and fun to create a group order. Splitting the bill fairly was just a bonus.” — Peer Feedback
The final SNAX design streamlined group snack ordering in a way that felt familiar, fast, and accessible.
Users could confidently browse, build, and confirm orders without the stress of holding up their group or missing part of the film.
The addition of payment flexibility and dietary information addressed the most common user pain points uncovered in research.
“The app made it so easy and fun to create a group order. Splitting the bill fairly was just a bonus.” — Peer Feedback
Next Steps
Next Steps
Run another usability test with more diverse participants
Explore a feature for reordering past snack combos
Test integration ideas with local cinemas for live deployment
Run another usability test with more diverse participants
Explore a feature for reordering past snack combos
Test integration ideas with local cinemas for live deployment
Mahdi Rahman
Mahdi
mahdirahman321@gmail.com
© 2025 Muhammad Rahman. All rights reserved.
Mahdi Rahman
Mahdi
mahdirahman321@gmail.com
© 2025 Muhammad Rahman. All rights reserved.
Mahdi Rahman
Mahdi
mahdirahman321@gmail.com
© 2025 Muhammad Rahman. All rights reserved.