Client:

El Cigar Shop Design

Category:

Design

Project Overview

Eel Cigar, a premium cigar retailer, sought an elegant and sophisticated online presence to showcase their exclusive collection of cigars. The objective was to create a visually striking and user-friendly e-commerce website that would appeal to both new and seasoned cigar enthusiasts. The design needed to reflect the luxury and refinement associated with the Eel Cigar brand, utilizing a black color palette and modern, high-quality product photography.

Design Approach

1. Research and Planning:

  • Conducted thorough market research to understand the competitive landscape and identify current design trends in the luxury cigar market.
  • Collaborated with Eel Cigar’s team to gain insight into their brand identity, target audience, and specific requirements for the website.
  • Developed user personas and customer journey maps to ensure the design would cater to the preferences and behaviors of the target market.

2. Design Concept:

  • Color Scheme: Chose a predominantly black color palette to convey sophistication, luxury, and exclusivity. Incorporated subtle accents in gold and white to highlight key elements and create a visually appealing contrast.
  • Typography: Selected elegant, serif fonts for headings to enhance the luxurious feel, paired with clean, sans-serif fonts for body text to ensure readability and modernity.
  • Imagery: Utilized high-resolution, modern product photography to showcase Eel Cigar’s products in a sophisticated and aspirational manner. Images were meticulously edited to highlight the rich textures and details of the cigars.

3. User Interface (UI) Design:

  • Homepage: Designed a minimalistic and visually impactful homepage featuring a full-width hero image of a premium cigar. Included easy navigation to product categories, featured collections, and promotional offers.
  • Product Pages: Created detailed product pages with large, high-quality images, comprehensive descriptions, and customer reviews. Integrated a zoom feature for close-up views of the cigars to appreciate their craftsmanship.
  • Navigation: Implemented a sleek and intuitive navigation menu to ensure users can effortlessly browse products, access their shopping cart, and find customer support.
  • Responsive Design: Ensured the website is fully responsive, providing an optimal user experience across desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

    Take Aways

    1. The Power of Visual Appeal:

    • High-quality product photography and a sleek, modern design are crucial for luxury products like cigars. The visual presentation significantly influences customer perception and purchasing decisions.

    2. User Experience is Key:

    • A seamless and intuitive user experience is essential for retaining customers and encouraging repeat business. Easy navigation, fast load times, and responsive design contribute to a positive shopping experience.

    3. Brand Identity Matters:

    • A cohesive design that aligns with the brand’s identity helps establish trust and recognition among customers. The use of a consistent color scheme, typography, and imagery reinforces Eel Cigar’s brand image.

    4. Collaboration and Feedback:

    • Continuous collaboration with the client and incorporating user feedback throughout the design and development process ensures the final product meets the client’s needs and expectations.

    "Design is thinking made visual."

    Saul Bass