How Insta-ready is your restaurant? Lights, camera, action…
March 2019
EAT. DRINK. SLEEP
Design & Refit
Social media and especially Instagram has influenced and changed the face of dining across the globe. With more people sharing picture perfect snaps of delightful culinary offerings the internet is flooded with food bloggers reviewing and updating their dining experiences every second. Chefs are becoming skilled at creating menus to offer Insta-friendly and mouth wateringly photographable dishes. Research in the UK has revealed that 18-35-year-olds spend the equivalent of five whole days, sometimes more, in a year browsing food images on Instagram. Around 30 per cent would avoid a restaurant with a weak Instagram presence. At Rapeed Design, we speak to new and existing restaurant owners, who are looking for cost - effective and creative ideas to make their businesses stand. We believe in the importance of having a holistic approach for customer experience, which includes the design process and thinking. The actual setting matters just as much as the food. Lari Mihic, Commercial & Residential Designer, who knows a thing or two about food, is an enthusiastic home cook, says, “Food and dining has evolved. We have also seen a shift to more regionalised cuisine or special focus on specific types of cuisine. People want to discover and learn about new flavours and new dining experiences.” He adds, “Diners will observe everything around them...good or bad… and they will take photos even before food arrives to a table. The search to find a good restaurant with great reviews that serve delicious food – and a unique décor all account for a personalised touch.” Lari’s top 5 tips on making your restaurant Insta-ready 1. “Branding moments for social sharing” Diners identify with a brand. A brand is also a reflection of the ethos of the restaurant. Signage, when done correctly is a focal point for photographs and social media shares.
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Getting the branding right will elevate your business and create awareness to millions of potential customers. 2. “Investing in design” Just as a website design and the UX matters, so does the space planning. Layout has to be functional, not too cluttered and accessible. Be Lari Mihic specific about your target audience - remember that parents with young children will have buggies. Wheelchair access for diners is also very important. The detail matters to your customers, you will earn many “brownie points”. 3. “Textures can make or break photographs” When an unflattering table surface clashes with a photograph of a beautifully created dish…Yes, textures do really matter. 4. “Colour palettes create a feel good factor” Colour does form a part of the overall branding, but opting for a mismatched colour splodge ‘art piece’ on the walls may impact the overall dining experience. A selection of well chosen art pieces create a focal point and an can be a worthwhile investment. 5. “Lighting – to see or not be seen” Getting the right colour and hues makes a HUGE difference to the dining experience. Here at Rapeed we have been designing all of our projects with lighting in the mind for over 20 years. Book your first free consultation today. Call 020 8655 2020 or email info@rapeed.co.uk