Kitchen Display System

🔍 Overview

Designed a real-time Kitchen Display System that streamlined order visibility, reduced errors, and integrated with Curbngo’s POS.

🧠 Understanding the Problem

This was a brand-new product, with no previous design to reference. Line cooks and prep staff relied on printed tickets or verbal instructions, which often led to missed items and confusion—especially during busy shifts. There was no real-time way to track order status or manage dine-in and takeout at the same time. Stakeholders requested a read-only, high-visibility screen that could display as many tickets as possible. Since kitchen staff work with greasy hands, interacting with the screen was considered impractical. Clear differentiation between order types was also a priority.

Visual exploration based on stakeholder input to implement coloUr-coded order tickets and maximize ticket visibility using a stackable grid layout. Also includes concepts for marking entire tickets or individual items, depending on business type.

🎯 The Objective

This was a brand-new product, with no previous design to reference. Line cooks and prep staff relied on printed tickets or verbal instructions, which often led to missed items and confusion—especially during busy shifts. There was no real-time way to track order status or manage dine-in and takeout at the same time. Stakeholders requested a read-only, high-visibility screen to display as many tickets as possible, since screen interaction was limited due to greasy hands. They also needed a function to disable out-of-stock ingredients to avoid cancellations.

🛠️ The Process

I visited a couple of kitchens and spoke with staff to understand what they needed most. Many cooks had no time to scroll or search—they needed to see orders clearly and react fast. I created high-contrast tickets, added filters by prep area, and included status updates. Everything had to be readable from a few feet away. I tested in real kitchen conditions to make sure even with steam and noise, the display stayed helpful, not distracting.

A user flow chart illustrating how the KDS processes incoming orders and routes them to appropriate stations for expedited preparation.

UI mockups showcasing key KDS screens: the main order screen, a modal for reordering tickets (move up/down), and a screen to disable ingredients—preventing order rejection due to unavailable items.

✅ The Result

The new KDS helped kitchen staff stay organized and reduce missed orders. Cooks could see exactly what to prepare and when, without needing printed tickets or extra communication. The interface felt like a natural extension of their routine—simple, reliable, and easy to glance at during busy shifts.

Screen recording of the first KDS prototype. The first screen shows station toggling functionality; the second demonstrates the two display modes (Orders and Items) and a filter to toggle between active and completed orders.

Photograph showing the KDS in its real-world environment, mounted and actively being used in a professional kitchen setup.