Choosing your menu template and design within your software not only communicates your product to customers, it gives your brand a visual identity. Through the structure, colors, and various design elements, you can optimize your menu for the best readability. Cluttered menus are a common problem, creating unnecessary noise between your offering and customers.
1. Use categories, columns, and rows to structure your template
Menu content needs to be structured in an orderly fashion for customers to easily understand it and determine what to order. Categories sort items into groups. For example, your salads should be in the same area, so customers can easily comprehend all of your salad offerings. Columns and rows structure your content within categories, making it easy to understand from a distance. For example, usually all names are in one column with the price in the next column. Rows separate each menu item.
2.) There should be a hierarchy of text
Category headings should be the largest, sub categories second largest, and items/descriptions/prices third largest. Text weight (boldness) can also be used to create a hierarchy of text. In this case, the top of your menu should include more bold lettering, sub categories slightly lighter, and items/descriptions/prices the lightest.
3.) Proper balance moves the eyes
Avoid using heavy visual weight on only one side (or screen) of the menu, it will lessen the chance customers will look elsewhere and have the opportunity to browse your full menu. If you have two digital menu boards and one is full of color and large images, then customers won’t focus on the other screen. Creating balance will allow the customer to move through the menu efficiently and make the best buying decision.
4.) Don’t overuse images
There is no exact rule of thumb for the number of images on your digital menu for restaurants , however, too many can hurt your design. You want to create a proper visual balance , and make sure that the images don’t get in the way of conveying the information of your menu. Some menus look great without any images at all.
5.) Avoid harsh contrast and saturation
Whether it’s images, text, or background, avoid using high contrast and saturated color combinations. These colors are hard to read and tire the eyes out fast.
6.) Convey your brand
Your menu board visually symbolizes your brand through the text, color scheme, and overall theme of your design. Pick and choose elements from your website, logo, and store to conceptualize a menu design right for you.
7.) Your menu needs breathing room
There needs to be empty spaces surrounding your text/images so your menu doesn’t become too crowded or cluttered. Having negative space around objects creates definition and will make your content more visible to customers.
