I took the opportunity to design a website for a popular and long-standing Italian restaurant located in Chicago, Illinois. Known for its delicious, traditional thin-crust pizza, the restaurant has garnered a loyal following since it first opened in 1946.
Overview
The existing website lacked a cohesive theme and a clear brand identity, making it difficult for the pizzeria to stand out in a competitive market. To address this, I began by developing a site map to better understand the site's architecture and structure. This allowed me to organize the content into logical categories and lay the groundwork for a more intuitive, engaging user experience that aligns with the pizzeria’s unique character and values.
Approach
Before diving into the website redesign, I took the time to collaborate closely with the restaurant owners to fully understand their goals and vision. I conducted interviews, visited the location, captured photographs, and immersed myself in the restaurant's environment. Through this process, I discovered key elements that defined the pizzeria’s identity: the iconic awning, the authentic pizza dough assembly line, and the unmistakable South Side character. These elements became central to shaping the website’s design and ensuring it reflected the unique atmosphere and personality of the restaurant.
Outcome
Building this website was an incredibly rewarding experience that gave me the creative freedom to explore every aspect of the design without constraints. I had the opportunity to hand-pick the fonts, color palette, layout, and imagery to ensure the site truly represented the pizzeria’s unique character. From scratch, I created all the graphics and integrated multimedia elements, such as video and photography, to make the site visually engaging and dynamic. Featuring content like the spotlight on Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives helped drive immediate traffic and build excitement around the restaurant.
The result is a website that not only captures the authentic vibe of Vito & Nick's but also continues to support the restaurant's success. If you're craving an authentic, old-school Chicago pizza experience, Vito & Nick’s is a must-visit destination!