Sensory research
Lifestyle, FMCG, vape and sensory e-commerce patterns, audience needs and decision friction.
01 / ELF BAR
ELF BAR
MAKING FLAVOR FEEL VISIBLE
BEFORE THE FIRST TASTE.
A visual-first UX concept exploring how sensory cues, focused hierarchy and progressive discovery can make online flavor selection easier for adult users.
RoleUX/UI Designer
Project typeConcept exploration
PlatformDesktop experience
ScopeFlavor decision-making
DK / ELF BAR02Overview
ONE FLAVOR.
ONE FOCUS.
LESS DECISION FATIGUE.
This Elf Bar concept explores how sensory cues and focused hierarchy can make online flavor selection feel more intuitive. I developed the UX direction, structure, exploration flow, wireframes, interaction logic and high-fidelity desktop interface.
Attention structure
Homepage architecture, flavor hierarchy and a progressive path through the assortment.
Interaction logic
Wireframes and prototypes balancing product, flavor imagery, supporting copy and CTA placement.
Visual system
Flavor-led color, large typography, visual anchors, accessible contrast and consistent components.
Responsibilities
UX concept · Sensory e-commerce research · Information architecture · Flavor exploration flow · Wireframes · Interaction logic · Desktop UI · Visual hierarchy
03The challenge
FLAVOR IS SENSORY. MOST INTERFACES DESCRIBE IT LIKE A SPECIFICATION.
Flavor-based products are difficult to choose without physical interaction. Text-only descriptions, large equally weighted assortments and uniform layouts make taste hard to imagine and comparison unnecessarily demanding.
Simplify decision-making and strengthen flavor perception through a visual-first experience that gives one option clear priority, preserves access to alternatives and keeps supporting information concise.
04Research
UNDERSTANDING AN EMOTIONAL DECISION DISGUISED AS A PRODUCT CHOICE.
I analysed lifestyle, FMCG, vape and sensory e-commerce experiences, focusing on adult users aged 18–30, first-time or occasional buyers who value speed, aesthetics and clarity over technical detail.
DK / ELF BARText cannot carry taste alone.
Flavor names and descriptions ask users to imagine too much. Color, imagery and product presentation can communicate the sensory cue faster.
Equal emphasis creates choice paralysis.
Large assortments become difficult to compare when every option competes with the same visual weight and amount of information.
First-time users need a starting point.
Adult users aged 18–30 valued speed, aesthetics and clarity over technical detail, especially when they did not already know which flavor to explore.
Research focus
Lifestyle brands · FMCG · Vape experiences · Sensory e-commerce · Visual hierarchy · Flavor exploration
05Process
FROM A LARGE ASSORTMENT TO ONE CLEAR FLAVOR STORY.
The homepage follows one deliberate sequence: hero, flavor name, sensory cue, short description and CTA. One primary flavor leads, while secondary options stay visible but de-emphasized for progressive exploration.
Define the attention flow.
I mapped the order in which the user sees product, flavor cue, supporting copy and the next action.
Test image and CTA placement.
Low-fidelity layouts compared different balances between flavor imagery, product scale and controls.
Refine the sensory hierarchy.
High-fidelity prototypes strengthened the primary visual anchor and reduced unnecessary copy.
Protect clarity on color.
Contrast, typography and soft background elements were adjusted to keep the experience accessible.
Key design decisions
LET THE VISUAL CREATE DESIRE. LET THE UX CREATE CLARITY.
Present flavor visually first.
Color, fruit imagery and product visuals establish the expected taste before supporting text appears.
Give one flavor primary focus.
A single dominant option reduces cognitive load and makes the starting point immediately understandable.
Keep supporting copy short.
Text confirms the visual cue rather than trying to replace the sensory experience with explanation.
Keep alternatives present but quiet.
Secondary flavors remain discoverable with reduced emphasis, encouraging exploration without pressure.
06Product solution
DESIGNED TO
MAKE TASTE
UNDERSTANDABLE
AT A GLANCE.
The concept turns flavor into a visual sequence rather than a list of specifications. Product, color, imagery and short copy work together to guide attention without overwhelming first-time or occasional buyers.
01 / FLAVOR HERO
LET THE USER FEEL THE FLAVOR BEFORE READING.
The hero creates an immediate sensory cue through flavor-specific color, imagery and product scale, then confirms it with a short description.
- Flavor-led color
- Sensory imagery
- Short supporting copy
DK / ELF BAR02 / PRODUCT FOCUS
MAKE THE PRODUCT THE ANCHOR OF ATTENTION.
A central product visual reinforces brand recognition and connects the physical object with the mood and identity of each flavor.
- Strong visual scale
- Brand recognition
- Flavor association
DK / ELF BAR03 / NAVIGATION
REMOVE EVERYTHING THAT COMPETES WITH EXPLORATION.
Minimal navigation protects the primary visual flow and keeps the user focused on discovering flavors rather than managing the interface.
- Reduced navigation
- Clear attention path
- Large readable typography
DK / ELF BAR07Outcome
A CLEARER, MORE EMOTIONAL WAY TO DISCOVER FLAVOR.
Concept takeaway
The concept demonstrates how visual hierarchy and sensory cues can turn flavor selection from a rational comparison task into a more intuitive emotional experience. Faster understanding and easier decisions remain design hypotheses to validate, not measured product outcomes.
Validation plan
FROM DESIGN DIRECTION TO PRODUCT EVIDENCE.
Usability testing with first-time adult users
Mobile adaptation of the exploration flow
A/B testing of flavor presentation strategies