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Chick-Fil-A

An interactive in-store concept designed to make kid participation fun, social, and measurable.

  • Experience Design
  • UI/UX
  • Interactive
Role

Experience Designer

Tools

Sketching · 3D Visualization · Interaction Design

Deliverables

Concept development · Interaction model · UI direction · Prototype visuals

Project Summary

The project explores how to create meaningful engagement for children as traditional play spaces in restaurants continue to shrink or disappear. The goal was to design interactive experiences that capture kids’ attention while reinforcing positive brand values and creating memorable moments within the restaurant environment.

Two concept directions were developed. The first encourages generosity by giving children the choice to donate instead of taking a toy, with the experience designed to celebrate and reward that decision in a fun, voluntary way. The second focuses on Chick-Fil-A’s fresh lemonade and farm-to-table story, transforming the journey of fresh lemons into a playful interactive machine that lets kids engage with the ingredients and process behind something they see on the menu.

Project Timeline

Joy Machine

The Joy Machine is an interactive experience where kids insert a Chick-Fil-A token and choose between picking a toy or book, or donating instead. If they choose to give back, they can take a selfie, apply a fun branded filter, and see their photo added to a live Hall of Fame celebrating their decision. Designed with bright visuals, large buttons, and kid-friendly proportions, the machine makes the experience simple, exciting, and rewarding while also tracking participation and engagement behind the scenes. Joy Machine inspiration board with interactive and kid-first references

Concept Development

Early concept sketches explore enclosure form, interaction placement, and token movement. Concept sketch variation with angled screen and side mechanics Refined concept sketch with simplified body and clearer prize chamber Final concept render with branded shell and integrated interaction zones

Design Principles

  • Authentic A real choice between reward and generosity. Kids who choose to donate are recognized instantly through a branded selfie filter and featured in a live Hall of Fame.
  • Engaging Interactive prompts, bright visuals, and a built-in photo moment turn a simple token redemption into something fun, celebratory, and shareable.
  • Trackable Integrated data capture measures redemptions, donation selections, and overall participation, providing clear insight into engagement and impact.
  • Accessible Designed at child-friendly scale with large buttons, intuitive navigation, easy token insertion, and a reachable prize compartment for seamless use.

Development Snapshot

Refined visual direction showing final material, interface hierarchy, and interaction zones. Dual-angle development render of Joy Machine with donation and prize states

Final Interaction Preview

Detailed interaction storyboard showing ticket flow, on-screen prompts, and reward retrieval. Final interaction board with close-up interface and step-by-step usage flow

Humble Wonder Machine

Humble Wonder Machine reframes donation as a playful discovery moment. Children insert a token, choose whether to redeem or give back, and then watch the interaction unfold through a clear sequence of physical and digital prompts designed to reward generous behavior. Humble Wonder Machine inspiration board with playful interaction references

Concept Development

Concept sketches and renders explore form language, interaction hierarchy, and child-friendly touchpoint placement. Humble Wonder Machine concept sketch with integrated screen and prize bay Humble Wonder Machine refined sketch with clearer controls and access door Humble Wonder Machine final concept render with branded interaction zones

Design Principles

  • Authentic Builds on Chick-Fil-A’s family-friendly identity with a concept centered on kind choices and visible outcomes.
  • Engaging Combines interactive prompts and physical feedback to keep children actively involved from start to finish.
  • Trackable Supports participation tracking across donation selections, reward choices, and completed interactions.
  • Accessible Uses clear controls, readable prompts, and reachable interaction points for straightforward child use.

Eggs in the Basket

Eggs in the Basket delivers a hands-on, old-school mechanical experience. Kids insert their token, choose to redeem or donate, and pull the lever to activate the mechanism. When the bell rings, they open the bin to collect their toy or donation receipt. If they donate, they receive an “I Donated” sticker to wear proudly, turning the moment into something they can share and celebrate. Eggs in the Basket inspiration collage

Concept Development

Early mechanical directions explore token flow, lever interaction, and collection-bin access. Eggs in the Basket concept sketch with mechanical side path Eggs in the Basket refined concept sketch with integrated controls Eggs in the Basket rendered concept with physical interaction points

Design Principles

  • Authentic A tactile, mechanical interaction that reflects a simple, wholesome Chick-Fil-A style experience.
  • Engaging Make a choice, pull the lever, hear the bell, and instantly receive a toy or donation certificate. Physical action drives excitement.
  • Trackable Compatible with smart tokens or RFID wristbands to capture redemption data and measure participation accurately.
  • Accessible Simple mechanics make it easy for children of all ages to use, while the lever action allows parents and friends to participate if needed.

Development Snapshot

Progressive render studies showing mechanism refinement and enclosure integration. Eggs in the Basket development view with updated internal layout

Final Interaction Preview

Final interaction panels highlighting token journey, reward retrieval, and donation flow outcomes. Eggs in the Basket final interaction board with complete user flow visuals Eggs in the Basket alternate final interaction view

Hug Me Moo

Hug Me Moo is an interactive robot designed to reward generosity with warmth. When a child taps their RFID token, the robot’s heart lights up and guides them through a simple choice: press a button to donate or give the robot a hug to activate the experience. Once complete, a hatch in the robot’s belly opens to reveal a small gift, making the moment playful, personal, and memorable. Hug Me Moo inspiration and interaction references

Concept Development

The concept explores a character-led form that combines emotional feedback, clear controls, and prize delivery. Hug Me Moo concept sketch with front interaction and belly hatch Hug Me Moo refined concept with character expression and control layout Hug Me Moo final concept render with branded interactive body

Design Principles

  • Authentic A one-of-a-kind Chick-Fil-A character that brings kindness and warmth into a physical, interactive form.
  • Engaging RFID activation, light-up heart cues, and the option to hug the robot create an emotional, hands-on experience.
  • Trackable RFID technology powers the interaction while capturing redemption data, donation counts, and prize selection analytics.
  • Accessible Large buttons, clear prompts, visible prize compartments, and simple physical interaction make it easy for children to participate.

Run Token Run

Run Token Run turns the token’s journey into a visible, physical spectacle. After choosing to redeem or donate, kids drop their token onto a raised track where it races forward before cascading down a Plinko-style board. The token bounces unpredictably toward its final destination, building anticipation before triggering either a prize dispense or a donation acknowledgment. Run Token Run inspiration and concept framing

Concept Development

The direction focuses on a transparent, kinetic path so the token journey becomes the core moment of anticipation. Run Token Run concept sketch with elevated track and drop path Run Token Run refined concept sketch with visible cascading board Run Token Run final concept render with active token path

Design Principles

  • Authentic A mechanical, see-it-happen experience that makes the token’s path real and tangible.
  • Engaging The rolling track and Plinko-style drop create movement, suspense, and a satisfying physical payoff.
  • Trackable RFID-enabled tokens allow operators to record donation vs. redemption choices and overall participation.
  • Accessible Simple token drop, clear choice points, and an easy-to-watch physical journey make the experience intuitive and exciting for children.

Development Snapshot

Refined views of the full machine architecture and final token travel path. Run Token Run development render showing full mechanism layout

Final Interaction Preview

Detailed close-up of the token journey from top track through the cascading drop system. Run Token Run final interaction close-up with raised track and drop sequence

Lemon Maze

Lemon Maze explores a farm-to-table interaction where children follow a playful lemon path through the machine. The concept translates Chick-Fil-A’s fresh lemonade story into a visible journey that connects ingredients, motion, and reward.

  • Authentic Reinforces the brand’s fresh lemonade narrative through a physical journey centered around real ingredient storytelling.
  • Engaging Children track the lemon through a dynamic, visible pathway that turns waiting into anticipation.
  • Trackable Route progression and completion events can be logged to measure interaction frequency and completion rates.
  • Accessible The interaction is easy to understand at a glance, with simple start and finish points designed for young users.

Concept Visuals

The concept sketches focus on internal route visibility, directional control, and a clear endpoint moment. Lemon Maze concept sketch with layered path and vertical token movement Lemon Maze refined concept sketch with segmented route progression

Lemon Squeezy

Lemon Squeezy is a playful mechanical concept that turns lemon movement into an interactive mini-spectacle. Kids initiate the sequence, watch the lemon travel through guided channels, and complete a clear outcome moment tied to the Chick-Fil-A lemonade experience.

  • Authentic Connects directly to Chick-Fil-A’s lemonade positioning with a concept built around fresh lemon motion.
  • Engaging The visible sequence creates momentum and suspense as users follow the lemon from start to finish.
  • Trackable Interaction starts and completed cycles can be captured to evaluate participation patterns.
  • Accessible Clear controls and visible pathways make the experience intuitive for children with minimal instruction.

Concept Visuals

Early sketches define enclosure geometry, diagonal movement paths, and interaction touchpoints. Lemon Squeezy concept sketch with angled body and upper storage chamber Lemon Squeezy refined concept sketch with channel flow and dispense area

50% Model and Testing

Two concepts were selected to move forward into mock store testing with families at Chick-Fil-A headquarters: Eggs in the Basket and Lemon Squeezy. This phase focused on validating interaction clarity, usability at kid scale, and overall excitement in a live environment before final direction.

Lemon Squeezy

Lemon Squeezy 50% model progression 01Lemon Squeezy 50% Model 01 Lemon Squeezy 50% model progression 02Lemon Squeezy 50% Model 02 Lemon Squeezy 50% model progression 03Lemon Squeezy 50% Model 03 Lemon Squeezy 50% model progression 04Lemon Squeezy 50% Model 04 Lemon Squeezy 50% model progression 05Lemon Squeezy 50% Model 05 Lemon Squeezy 50% model progression 06Lemon Squeezy 50% Model 06 Lemon Squeezy 50% model progression 07Lemon Squeezy 50% Model 07
Lemon Squeezy final 50% direction 01Final 50% Direction 01
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Lemon Squeezy final 50% direction 03Final 50% Direction 03

Eggs in a Basket

Process documentation for Eggs in a Basket tracks enclosure assembly, component integration, and interaction testing as the concept moved into physical prototyping.

Eggs in a Basket 50% model progression 01Eggs in a Basket 50% Model 01 Eggs in a Basket 50% model progression 02Eggs in a Basket 50% Model 02 Eggs in a Basket 50% model progression 03Eggs in a Basket 50% Model 03 Eggs in a Basket 50% model progression 04Eggs in a Basket 50% Model 04 Eggs in a Basket 50% model progression 05Eggs in a Basket 50% Model 05 Eggs in a Basket 50% model progression 06Eggs in a Basket 50% Model 06 Eggs in a Basket 50% model progression 07Eggs in a Basket 50% Model 07 Eggs in a Basket 50% model progression 08Eggs in a Basket 50% Model 08 Eggs in a Basket 50% model progression 09Eggs in a Basket 50% Model 09 Eggs in a Basket 50% model progression 10Eggs in a Basket 50% Model 10
Eggs in a Basket final 50% direction 01Final 50% Direction 01
Eggs in a Basket final 50% direction 02Final 50% Direction 02