The Challenge
Project Rescue
I stepped into this project as a 'rescue' lead. With a previous design phase stalled and a strict 25-hour remaining budget, the mission was to overhaul the digital presence for one of Switzerland's most beloved heritage brands. Trauffer isn't just toys; it's a multifaceted ecosystem including the Bretterhotel, world-class restaurants, and an event-driven 'Erlebniswelt.' My goal was to unify these under one cohesive digital language while meeting the exacting standards of a high-end Swiss clientele.
Visualizing Logic
The primary UX challenge was navigation. I redesigned the Information Architecture to create a 'Master Hub' that seamlessly funnels users into five distinct business branches.
"That was fun"
Dual Identity Strategy
The challenge was maintaining Trauffer’s 'Heritage' (Wooden Toys) while elevating their 'Hospitality' (Bretterhotel) to a premium level. I designed a system that seamlessly shifts from high-key, airy layouts to high-contrast, moody dark modes depending on the user's journey.
Landing Page
Dining Interface
Experience Interface
Design for Velocity
With 25 hours on the clock, efficiency was the primary constraint. I built a lean, component-driven UI Kit in parallel with the designs. This allowed for rapid iteration across all 42 pages while ensuring the final handoff was dev-ready for Astro and WebGL implementation.
Outcome
Delivered on-spec in 25 hours by leading the client directly and solving the IA for five business units before touching the UI.
What shipped
A dev-ready, 42-page high-fidelity prototype unifying Shop, Hotel, Restaurants, Events and HQ under a single Information Architecture.
What improved
Cut the 'agency lag': direct stakeholder meetings replaced layered handoffs, so feedback loops closed in the same session instead of across sprints.
What I learned
On rescue engagements, IA is the real deliverable. Solve navigation and role clarity first, and the UI becomes a logical consequence rather than a decision surface.