The Man Cave

This website project for a local barbershop was designed to create an intuitive, user-centered experience that reflects the shop's blend of traditional and modern identity. The site showcases key services—like on-call barbering, wedding styling, and training packages—in a clear, approachable layout, making it easy for clients to find exactly what they need. My role included creating reusable components and developing a cohesive design system to ensure consistency and streamline future updates across the site.

My role: UX/Visual Designer, Art Direction, User Research, Photography

Developer: George Clough

Tools used: Figma, Photoshop

Web design ⟶ UX⟶ UI ⟶

Web design ⟶ UX⟶ UI ⟶

The Challenge

The Man Cave, a rapidly growing barbershop, lacked an online presence, limiting its ability to connect with new clients and manage the increasing demand for appointments. With no website in place, all bookings were handled manually by Zeeshan, the owner, via mobile. As the business expanded, managing bookings became overwhelming, and it was clear that an online solution was needed to streamline appointments and establish a professional digital footprint. This project aimed to create a user-friendly platform that would simplify bookings and showcase The Man Cave’s unique services, bringing the brand’s dynamic presence online for the first time.

The Process

To kick off the project, I met with Zeeshan to get a sense of his vision, the business’s personality, and specific needs for The Man Cave’s first website. Through this initial meeting, I gathered key insights into the brand’s identity, client preferences, and the unique services they offer. I then created low-fidelity wireframes, grounding the design in research and initial ideas for a user-friendly experience.

To deepen my understanding, I visited the shop and interviewed Zeeshan’s team, which provided invaluable insights into the barbers’ workflow, customer interactions, and overall shop atmosphere. This immersive approach allowed me to craft a design that authentically represented The Man Cave’s essence and aligned with the needs of both the barbers and their clients.

Through my conversations with Zeeshan and his team, I learned a great deal about his journey—from his early days as an apprentice to working in a salon and eventually opening The Man Cave. This personal story of growth and dedication resonated as a key part of the brand’s identity, adding authenticity and a sense of pride that I felt was essential to weave into the website. To reflect this, I planned to include a dedicated “About” section, highlighting Zeeshan's professional background and the shop’s evolution, allowing clients to connect with the story behind the business and see the passion that defines The Man Cave experience.

9/10 Customers Use Mobile—So We Designed for Them First

Photography Art Direction & Retouching

Capturing the barbers’ craft and skill was a key part of the website’s development, aligning with the client’s vision to emphasise the artistry of their profession. I aimed to make these images stand out on the site, contrasting them with a bold serif font to create a dynamic visual impact.

Style Guide

We developed a detailed Style Guide to maintain project consistency and organization. It included components for efficient element implementation. The style guide includes

Typography

Re-usable components

Colors

Imagery

Iconography