Rain or Shine Ice Cream: Seasonal Flings Posters
Duration
2019-2021
skills
graphic design
service design
print design
photography
photo editing
tools
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Context
I first started working at Rain or Shine Ice Cream in 2017 as a scooper. A unique aspect of Rain or Shine is that they offer seasonal flings (ice cream flavours that change every month). The store only has one menu which is can be seen at the counter where customers order (see below).
Above: The only in-store menu seen at the ordering counter. The seasonal flings are listed in the second column to the left.
Long lines of customers that extend out of the store and around the block are very common, especially during the summer season. I noticed during my first two years of working, that many customers were not ready to order when it was their turn and often asked staff about multiple of our seasonal flings. The menu only becomes readable when customers reach the counter, meaning each interaction would take several minutes before a decision was made. During the busy summer season, delayed decisions meant waiting times for customers in line could extend to 30 minutes or longer, creating a cycle of longer waits.
results & samples
In 2019, I proposed to the owners of Rain or Shine Ice Cream to place posters around all store locations that describe the seasonal flings. These posters were intended to decrease customer decision times to create a more streamlined process from queueing to getting their ice cream. The owners were on board with the idea and I began designing posters during the summer season. As a result, serving efficiency increased by 100% as customers were able to learn about the current seasonal flings no matter their place in line.
My designs have a heavy emphasis on images showcasing either flavour ingredients or the ice cream so that customers are able to see what the flavours look like and what is included in them. I work together with the production manager to write flavour descriptions, and gather ingredients and ice cream for photos. In 2020, the owners recruited a junior graphic designer to gain experience creating posters. I provided my posters to reference as a guide, and have supported them in their designs. As of today, these monthly posters are still being implemented in all of Rain or Shine Ice Cream's store locations.
