Project Background
Velora is a self-initiated project developed by Sonoda Creative to explore the intersection of luxury hospitality and high-impact web design. Set in the heart of Sydney’s Surry Hills, Velora was imagined as a refined fine dining experience — intimate, evocative, and memorable. This project provided a platform to demonstrate our ability to craft meaningful digital experiences, where design, storytelling, and brand presence align seamlessly.
The vision: to create a digital identity that feels as elegant and immersive as dining at Velora itself.
Objectives
Design a high-end restaurant brand that exudes confidence, taste, and emotional sophistication.
Create a storytelling-driven website that guides users through mood, menu, and intent.
Encourage exploration and reservations through clear UX pathways and intuitive layout.
Present a mobile-first experience optimised for diners discovering restaurants on the go.
Key Features Delivered
Editorial Homepage: Immersive hero copy and rich visuals that introduce the Velore mood instantly.
Interactive Menu Display: Scrollable and image-forward, crafted to make each dish feel like a moment.
Testimonial Carousel: Realistic guest quotes to build emotional trust and social proof.
Reservation Integration: Clear and compelling calls-to-action placed intuitively throughout.
Responsive Layout: Optimised across devices for fast loading and aesthetic integrity.
Recognition Badge Area: Custom badge element replacing traditional Michelin-star claims to signal prestige.
Our Approach
Strategy & Positioning
We began by defining the brand tone — romantic, modern, and confident. Everything from typography to microcopy was chosen to evoke sensory pleasure and calm refinement. The restaurant’s imagined ethos informed every touchpoint, from homepage hierarchy to CTA voice.
Narrative Web Copy
Instead of relying on clichés or generic descriptions, we developed an expressive, emotionally charged narrative that welcomed users into the story. Key phrases like "Moments Made Over a Meal" and "Where taste leaves an impression and time slows" created instant resonance.
Visual Aesthetics
Using editorial-style photography and soft, neutral backgrounds, the layout allowed the food to shine while maintaining a sophisticated visual rhythm. Menus were displayed as part of the experience — not hidden behind PDFs — and supported by digestible descriptions and elegant whitespace.
UX & Interaction
The interface focused on removing friction while maximising delight:
Clear booking buttons with minimal distractions.
A testimonials section designed as an endorsement of atmosphere and service.
Mobile responsiveness tested across multiple devices.
