I’M

I’M

AN ART DIRECTOR

AN ILLUSTRATOR

A UX DESIGNER

AN ART DIRECTOR

AN ART DIRECTOR

AN ILLUSTRATOR

A UX DESIGNER

AN ART DIRECTOR

AN ART DIRECTOR

AN ILLUSTRATOR

A UX DESIGNER

AN ART DIRECTOR

HELLO, I’M MICHAEL

HELLO, I’M MICHAEL

HELLO, I’M MICHAEL. I'M

ILLUSTRATION

ILLUSTRATION

ILLUSTRATION

GRAPHIC DESIGN

GRAPHIC DESIGN

GRAPHIC DESIGN

UX DESIGN

UX DESIGN

UX DESIGN

CASE STUDY: REST RESORT & SPA

CASE STUDY: REST RESORT & SPA

CASE STUDY: REST RESORT & SPA

A Booking Process That Stands Out

A Booking Process That Stands Out

A Booking Process That Stands Out

Research

Research

Research

Analysis

Analysis

Prototype Design

Prototype Design

Prototype Design

Analysis

Conclusions

Conclusions

Conclusions

Check out the Figma file with basic booking interactions here:

Case Study Figma Prototype File

Check out the Figma file with basic booking interactions here:

Case Study Figma Prototype File

Check out the Figma file with basic booking interactions here:

Case Study Figma Prototype File

Typically, booking a hotel room is just a necessity of any vacation and not THE REASON for the trip. However in the case of a high-end resort & spa the booking is the whole purpose and final step for the vacation. As the final project for my Professional Diploma in UX Design at the UX Design Institute, I set myself the challenge of designing a booking process that would recognize that difference while also keeping the process as simple and pain free as possible.

Typically, booking a hotel room is just a necessity of any vacation and not THE REASON for the trip. However in the case of a high-end resort & spa the booking is the whole purpose and final step for the vacation. As the final project for my Professional Diploma in UX Design at the UX Design Institute, I set myself the challenge of designing a booking process that would recognize that difference while also keeping the process as simple and pain free as possible.

Typically, booking a hotel room is just a necessity of any vacation and not THE REASON for the trip. However in the case of a high-end resort & spa the booking is the whole purpose and final step for the vacation. As the final project for my Professional Diploma in UX Design at the UX Design Institute, I set myself the challenge of designing a booking process that would recognize that difference while also keeping the process as simple and pain free as possible.

The Research phase of my design began with Competitive Benchmarking, followed by a general Hotel Booking Survey using Google Forms and finally a Usability Test conducted with two typical users. Once all of this data was collected it was time to move to the Analysis phase.

The Research phase of my design began with Competitive Benchmarking, followed by a general Hotel Booking Survey using Google Forms and finally a Usability Test conducted with two typical users. Once all of this data was collected it was time to move to the Analysis phase.

The Research phase of my design began with Competitive Benchmarking, followed by a general Hotel Booking Survey using Google Forms and finally a Usability Test conducted with two typical users. Once all of this data was collected it was time to move to the Analysis phase.

To analyze the results of the research first an Affinity Diagram was created followed by a Customer Journey Map.

To analyze the results of the research first an Affinity Diagram was created followed by a Customer Journey Map.

To analyze the results of the research first an Affinity Diagram was created followed by a Customer Journey Map.

Users considered “All inclusive Package Deals” to be a major motivation and felt this should be mentioned well before they even entered the booking process. Users wanted to see more and more specific room images for each room. It was important to always be aware that their choices were reflected and available to see at each stage of the booking process.

Users considered “All inclusive Package Deals” to be a major motivation and felt this should be mentioned well before they even entered the booking process. Users wanted to see more and more specific room images for each room. It was important to always be aware that their choices were reflected and available to see at each stage of the booking process.

Users considered “All inclusive Package Deals” to be a major motivation and felt this should be mentioned well before they even entered the booking process. Users wanted to see more and more specific room images for each room. It was important to always be aware that their choices were reflected and available to see at each stage of the booking process.

Armed with the conclusions from my analysis I began to create a prototype for my ideal Destination Resort website booking: REST Resort & Spa.

First I created a Flow Diagram followed by my first iteration of the Prototype pages using Figma.

Armed with the conclusions from my analysis I began to create a prototype for my ideal Destination Resort website booking: REST Resort & Spa.

First I created a Flow Diagram followed by my first iteration of the Prototype pages using Figma.

Armed with the conclusions from my analysis I began to create a prototype for my ideal Destination Resort website booking: REST Resort & Spa.

First I created a Flow Diagram followed by my first iteration of the Prototype pages using Figma.

I was a “military brat” born and raised in North Carolina to parents who made the most of themselves despite the lack of a college education. Although not fortunate enough to have that opportunity, like my parents, I did not give up my dreams. Upon graduation from high school, I began dragging my meager portfolio of illustrations from ad agency to ad agency until I landed work as a freelance artist. A logo here, a newspaper ad illustration there, it was all I needed to set me on my way.

 

Just a year later at age 19, I found my way to Brooklyn, NY where I was able to continue my “education” working in the Graphics Department of the world headquarters of The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. It was here that I found my love for print and typography. Surprisingly - it was also here that I got a glimpse of the digital future, while assisting in the creation of the M.E.P.S (Multilingual Electronic Publishing System) -

A ground-breaking typesetting computer. This was the early 80’s around the time of the Apple IIe, well before the desktop publishing revolution.

I was a “military brat” born and raised in North Carolina to parents who made the most of themselves despite the lack of a college education. Although not fortunate enough to have that opportunity, like my parents, I did not give up my dreams. Upon graduation from high school, I began dragging my meager portfolio of illustrations from ad agency to ad agency until I landed work as a freelance artist. A logo here, a newspaper ad illustration there, it was all I needed to set me on my way.

I was a “military brat” born and raised in North Carolina to parents who made the most of themselves despite the lack of a college education. Although not fortunate enough to have that opportunity, like my parents, I did not give up my dreams.

After a few years of acquiring a solid foundation in printing and a move to Rochester, NY, I began work as a technical illustrator/graphic designer. Within a short time, I advanced to the position of Assistant Art Director with a team of 4 other graphic designers working for clients like, Kodak, Xerox and Rochester Tel.

 

As the digital age dawned, I dove in head-first. My thirst for knowledge served me well as I tackled my next step as Art Director and then Creative Director at Ruby-Gordon Furniture. My expertise expanded as I was tutored daily in Marketing and Advertising by one of the true pioneers in retail advertising and brand building. I also took classes to obtain certifications in Media Buying, Direct Market advertising and high-end video editing.

 

While I won’t deny there can be benefits of a good college education (I’m proud to say my son graduated with Honors from Savannah College of Art & Design), I think my chosen career path has provided me with a rare and powerful education.

Just a year later at age 19, I found my way to Brooklyn, NY where I was able to continue my “education” working in the Graphics Department of the world headquarters of The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. It was here that I found my love for print and typography. Surprisingly - it was also here that I got a glimpse of the digital future, while assisting in the creation of the M.E.P.S (Multilingual Electronic Publishing System) - A ground-breaking typesetting computer. This was the early 80’s around the time of the Apple IIe, well before the desktop publishing revolution.

After a few years of acquiring a solid foundation in printing and a move to Rochester, NY, I began work as a technical illustrator/graphic designer. Within a short time, I advanced to the position of Assistant Art Director with a team of 4 other graphic designers working for clients like, Kodak, Xerox and Rochester Tel.

 

As the digital age dawned, I dove in head-first. My thirst for knowledge served me well as I tackled my next step as Art Director and then Creative Director at Ruby-Gordon Furniture. My expertise expanded as I was tutored daily in Marketing and Advertising by one of the true pioneers in retail advertising and brand building. I also took classes to obtain certifications in Media Buying, Direct Market advertising and high-end video editing.

 

While I won’t deny there can be benefits of a good college education (I’m proud to say my son graduated with Honors from Savannah College of Art & Design), I think my chosen career path has provided me with a rare and powerful education.

Upon graduation from high school, I began dragging my meager portfolio of illustrations from ad agency to ad agency until I landed work as a freelance artist. A logo here, a newspaper ad illustration there, it was all I needed to set me on my way.


Just a year later at age 19, I found my way to Brooklyn, NY where I was able to continue my “education” working in the Graphics Department of the world headquarters of The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. It was here that I found my love for print and typography. Surprisingly - it was also here that I got a glimpse of the digital future, while assisting in the creation of the M.E.P.S (Multilingual Electronic Publishing System) - A ground-breaking typesetting computer. This was the early 80’s around the time of the Apple IIe, well before the desktop publishing revolution.

After a few years of acquiring a solid foundation in printing and a move to Rochester, NY, I began work as a technical illustrator/graphic designer. Within a short time, I advanced to the position of Assistant Art Director with a team of 4 other graphic designers working for clients like, Kodak, Xerox and Rochester Tel.

 

As the digital age dawned, I dove in head-first. My thirst for knowledge served me well as I tackled my next step as Art Director and then Creative Director at Ruby-Gordon Furniture. My expertise expanded as I was tutored daily in Marketing and Advertising by one of the true pioneers in retail advertising and brand building. I also took classes to obtain certifications in Media Buying, Direct Market advertising and high-end video editing.

 

While I won’t deny there can be benefits of a good college education (I’m proud to say my son graduated with Honors from Savannah College of Art & Design), I think my chosen career path has provided me with a rare and powerful education.

Most recently I have continued my education with a Professional Degree In UX Design earned from the UX Design Institute in Glasgow, Scotland.

Most recently I have continued my education with a Professional Degree In UX Design earned from the UX Design Institute in Glasgow, Scotland.

Most recently I have continued my education with a Professional Degree In UX Design earned from the UX Design Institute in Glasgow, Scotland.

ABOUT ME

ABOUT ME

ABOUT ME

CONTACT ME

CONTACT ME

CONTACT ME