Mazu Website
Mazu worked closely with IDEAS2IMAGE to create a brand identity that would position the new restaurant as an upscale lounge. IDEAS2IMAGE extended the firm’s brand onto the Internet, by creating a branded website, Adobe Flash™ visuals, and our highly configurable menu manager.
Project Synopsis
As an upscale restaurant, Mazu needed a strong brand, logo, and website. IDEAS2IMAGE created a brand identity for Mazu, and incorporated that into the website design. Working closely with the owners of the establishment, IDEAS2IMAGE established an easy to use website management system. Of which, the central component is a custom menu management system. This allows Mazu staff to maintain an current menu listing online, including descriptions, prices, and images.
The owners of Mazu first engage IDEAS2IMAGE during in restaurant’s pre-launch phase. We were asked to help evolve the owners’ vision into a strong brand. Mazu was targeting upscale who worked in Washington D.C.’s Penn Quarter Neighborhood. These potential customers tended to be highly engaged with the Internet, so a solid website was a key component of the branding effort.
During our preliminary conversations, we learned that the owners envisioned a constantly evolving menu that would offer new selections to returning patrons. Although some dishes would be established as staples of the menu, fresh options for appetizers, entrées, desserts, and drinks would be offered on a weekly basis. When IDEAS2IMAGE constructs a website, we look for ways to reduce the work involved in managing the site, so that the site owners will be more inclined to keep the content current. With this in mind, we devised a plan to create a menu management system that would allow Mazu staff to quickly manage menu items.
The menu management system that IDEAS2IMAGE built includes categorized menu groups, image file manager, and the ability to activate or deactivate items for later use. The administrative tools are built around the way that Mazu planned to use the system. IDEAS2IMAGE used javascript to create dynamic interface elements that tied into the menu system.
The restaurant’s namesake is the Chinese goddess of the sea, and the physical space of the lounge is built and furnished with eco-friendly materials. The owners of the establishment wanted these themes to carry over to the website. However, it was also important that the user interface emote refinement and sophistication. IDEAS2IMAGE leveraged the color palette, which had been established in the branding phase, to create a design that was aligned with the owners’ vision.
Process: Learn–Solve–Deliver
IDEAS2IMAGE consistently delivers superior websites, because we place a heavy emphasis on learning about the client’s core business needs early in the project. We identify functional requirements, constructing a development plan that will result in a successful project delivery. This knowledge is captured in a detailed project planning documentation that identifies specific milestones and project expectations.
Over the course of the project, IDEAS2IMAGE performs in a consultative role to solve the communication and technical challenges of website design. We determine the proper brand presentation, visual design, and information architecture for your project. Our iterative approach to development gives us the ability to exceed our client’s expectations.
IDEAS2IMAGE employs a modular approach to development. Each discrete component (i.e. design, application module, or animation) is developed so that it can be independently modified, while continuing to function within the context of the larger project. This maximizes flexibility and allows us to deliver efficient systems that achieve the client’s objectives.
