SUMI
Role: UX/UI Designer | Tools: Figma, Notion, Adobe Photoshop
Overview
Sumi Tea is a mobile app designed to make premium Japanese-inspired teas accessible, enjoyable, and easy to order. The app combines a minimalist, calming aesthetic with an intuitive interface, reflecting the serenity and tradition of Japanese tea culture while streamlining the online ordering experience. Design elements draw inspiration from sumi-e ink painting, emphasizing simplicity, fluidity, and elegance in every interface.
Problem
Ordering tea online often feels overwhelming—too many steps, cluttered menus, and unclear options. Customers want a seamless, stress-free way to explore, customize, and purchase their favorite teas.
Resoulution
Sumi Tea delivers a user-friendly app experience with:
-
A minimalist design inspired by Japanese aesthetics.
-
Easy-to-navigate menu categories.
-
Smooth checkout with simplified steps.
-
Clear visuals and descriptions for each tea item.
Low-Fidelity
Wireframes
Low-fidelity wireframes were created to map the primary user journey and test layout decisions before moving into high-fidelity design. The goal was to ensure a seamless, calm experience that reflects Sumi Tea’s brand values of simplicity and balance.
Refinements
These wireframes helped refine the app’s structure and flow, ensuring a smooth transition to high-fidelity design while keeping the experience simple, visually appealing, and easy to navigate.
Design Approach
Typography: Inria Sans (headers) + Inter (body) for a modern, approachable look.
Color Palette: Neutral base tones with warm accents to reflect calmness and authenticity.
Mood board: Japanese tea culture, natural textures, minimal design, and a cozy yet modern vibe
Visual Inspiration: Mood boards include traditional tea culture, natural textures, and minimalist layouts, along with sumi-e ink painting techniques, to create a digital experience that feels both authentic and serene.
Key Challenges
-
Simplifying Product Discovery: Organizing a wide variety of teas without overwhelming the user.
-
Maintaining Cultural Integrity: Reflecting Japanese tea aesthetics in a digital interface without feeling outdated.
-
Smooth Checkout Flow: Reducing friction from browsing to purchase.
Tools I Used
Figma
Notion
Adobe Photoshop
Paint/Sketch (hand drawn)
Final Outcome
A minimalist, intuitive shopping experience that aligns with Sumi Tea’s brand values of simplicity and balance.
Easy navigation and clear product descriptions reduce decision fatigue for users.
A design that blends cultural heritage with modern usability, encouraging repeat visits and brand loyalty.
Next Steps
-
Test user interactions and flows to refine the experience.
-
Expand personalized recommendations and seasonal tea collections.
-
Create high-fidelity prototypes for mobile onboarding and promotional campaigns.