RetroFilms
Nostalgia
Good Films
Classics
Cinema Lovers
Retro
Unique
Films are produced in abundance today, with audiences constantly bombarded by new content in cinemas and on streaming platforms. Don’t you miss the days when the release of a new film felt truly special?
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How can we revive the magic of those times, when great cinema truly mattered, using the technology of today?​
Understanding the Challenge
Represent the brand by incorporating a 'Retro' theme while ensuring an intuitive and seamless navigation flow.​
Provide users with a well-organised and visually appealing catalog of films.
Simplify the ticket booking process, minimizing the number of clicks required.
Allow users to connect with a community of cinema enthusiasts directly through RetroFilms, fostering interaction and shared experiences on a platform more focused and direct than traditional social media.
Researching the field
Users
Competitors
Anita
A filmmaking student who not only loves films, but also wants to learn from them.
Through a competitive audit of both apps and responsive websites, I analysed the strengths, weaknesses, gaps and opportunities for growth of 3 competitors.
In this audit, I focused on analyzing aspects like features, accessibility, user flow, navigation, visual design (consistent brand identity), content (tone and descriptions)
Opportunities - Value Proposition RetroFilms
Display the Film of the Week as a suggestion for users who don't know what they want to watch, and a quick booking button on the main page.
Array of films in the main page organised by years and genres.
Especial feature: a To-Watch-List for users to log in and add films they want to watch at some point.
Film page with info (trailer, genre, synopsis, etc) and additional info (articles and reviews)
Make the booking easier, with less clicks.
Mapping it out
User Flow 001
Task: Booking a film ticket
Figure guide
Wireframing an approach
Adapting to results
Through conducting an unmoderated usability study with the Low Fidelity Prototype of the main user flow (Book/buy a ticket), I pin pointed some pain points the users where experiencing in the process.
Through the insights gathered, I adjusted the wireframes to make the suer flow easier for the user to understand and do.
Pain point: How to find a specific film?
Pain point: What's this film about?
Pain point: User didn't see films were also organised by years.
Search bar (fixed).
Small summary of the film of the week
Compact options to make space for other catalogues without scrolling.
This design highlights the existence of the to-watch-list button
Pain point: Buttons get lost.
Pain point: Unnecessary clicks.
Buttons easier to spot
Displaying the process in the same screen without additional clicks
Pain point: No option to editing selection.
Pain point: No option if the user forgets password
Pain point: No option to pay without account.
Option to go back and edit selections
Option to pay as guest
Option to recover password
Into mockups and prototypes
Challenge
Capturing the essence of the 'Retro' brand while integrating modern functionality.
Research
Few cinemas focus on showcasing classic films or delivering an authentic 'old days' vibe. However, users desire a blend of nostalgia and modern convenience in their experience.
Solution
Design an app that embodies the charm and nostalgia of 'Retro' while incorporating intuitive, modern usability.
Impact
Engage users by representing the nostalgic cinema experience directly within the app, sparking curiosity and excitement.
Develop a seamless, fast, and hassle-free ticket booking process.
In today’s fast-paced world, people have less time and patience, expecting quick and efficient solutions—even when booking cinema tickets.
Organise the film catalog in an intuitive, and enticing manner, and design a user flow that balances the needs of both the company and the user. Eliminate unnecessary steps, without compromising essential details.
Deliver an app that is effortless to navigate, users enjoy a smooth, pleasant experience from the moment they launch the app, enhancing satisfaction and encouraging continued engagement.
Foster user loyalty.
People are more likely to engage when they connect with others who share their interests and when they feel part of a larger collective.
Introduce features that allow users to share their opinions on films through reviews or ratings and to "heart" films they plan to watch next. These interactive options encourage deeper participation.
Extends the user journey by keeping them engaged even after watching the film, enhancing loyalty and enriching the overall experience.
Takeways
This project wasn’t just about addressing user needs—it was about understanding their desires and expectations when opening an app from RetroFilms. Balancing the contrast between representing nostalgia and modernity, and seamlessly blending these elements.
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This experience underscored the profound impact of research, but also highlighted the emotional influence of design. It’s not only about creating a functional and intuitive app but about crafting an experience where every colour, shape, and interaction evokes a feeling. The emotional resonance of the visual design became a key focus, and I invested extra time ensuring the app's aesthetic captured the essence of nostalgia.​​
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Emotion plays a pivotal role in user engagement—especially when it aligns with the app’s purpose. A functional and easy-to-use app delivers a satisfactory experience, but it doesn’t necessarily foster loyalty.
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However, when the app is both intuitive and emotionally resonant—here, evoking a nostalgic connection to the "old days"—the user experience transforms. It becomes more than just utility; it deepens engagement and builds lasting loyalty to the brand.
This project reaffirmed that great design isn’t just seen or used—it’s felt.