Let the Experts Do What They Do Best
Fillet Mignon, a signature dish, at Azur Restaurant & Patio. Photo by Abby Laub.
Launching a Website That Finally Tastes Like the Restaurant It Represents
Some businesses thrive because they do their craft exceptionally well with heart!
Azur is one of those places.
They source local, seasonal ingredients.
Their chef-led menu adapts with ease—whether you’re vegetarian, gluten-free, or simply in the mood for something crafted with intention.
They create a neighborhood spot where you can slip in for a relaxed weeknight dinner or mark a special moment surrounded by warmth and hospitality.
It’s fine dining with local, community charm.
It’s quality without pretension.
And it’s led by people who genuinely love what they do.
But here’s the challenge:
When a restaurant excels so naturally in person, how do you translate that excellence online?
How do you make sure the message is clear, the identity is cohesive, and the digital experience reflects the heart of the place you’re introducing?
That’s where Swayze Design Studio entered.
Designing a Website That Honors Their Craft
My work sits at the intersection of clarity, storytelling, and human-centered (UX) design. I help businesses communicate who they are—not louder, but truer.
Not through more pages, more noise, or more complexity, but through thoughtful choices that honor the essence of their brand.
For Azur, the essence was simple:
Local ingredients.
Chef-led creativity.
Comfort classics.
Elevated dining.
A place to celebrate life’s moments—big or small.
But the old website wasn’t telling that story. Their strengths weren’t shining. Their value proposition wasn’t clear. And their digital experience wasn’t matching the quality of the in-person one.
A restaurant can be extraordinary, but if the digital expression doesn’t reflect that, users may never make it to the table.
So we redesigned the experience around what matters most:
1. Clarity of message
Who they are. What they offer. What makes Azur Restaurant & Patio special!
2. A visual identity that feels like them
Warm, vibrant, welcoming—just like their Azur dining room and amazing patio & gardens.
3. Menu architecture that supports real human needs
Vegetarian, gluten-free, and seasonal offerings made simple and discoverable.
4. A user journey that mirrors the hospitality they’re known for
Easy to navigate. Easy to trust. Easy to say “Let’s go tonight!”
A good website should help users understand instantly what makes a business special and why they should engage.
Azur already had the magic.
My job was to make sure the website captured it.
When Experts Do What They Do Best
A farmer nurtures the ingredients.
A chef designs a plate.
A restaurant creates the atmosphere.
And I design the digital experience around it.
When each expert is free to do what they do best, the whole experience feels effortless—whether it’s on a plate or on a screen.
That’s the beauty of good UX:
It doesn’t shout for attention.
It simply creates clarity, resonance, and trust.
It reveals the heart of a business so users can feel it within seconds.
And for Azur, that heart now comes through beautifully.
Fried Chicken, a fan favorite, at Azur. Photo by Abby Laub.
A Creative Collaboration at Its Best
We are visual beings, and the way to our stomach is often through our eyes. This project truly came alive because of the photography captured by my collaborator, Abby Laub of Laub Media, who first brought me into this project with Azur. Her images don’t just document the food—they elevate it.
You can feel the warmth of the space.
The artistry of each plate.
The heart behind every detail.
You will be hungry just looking at them.
Photography translates atmosphere into emotion and connection in a powerful way. Abby’s work didn’t complement the design; it amplified the story Azur is telling.
Together, our crafts—Azur’s culinary artistry, Abby’s beautiful, story-rich photography, and my user-centered design—wove a unified digital experience that finally reflects the full depth, flavor, and heart of this beloved local restaurant.
Let’s Build What Matters
Every design choice is an opportunity to honor what is essential—not through more pages, more words, or more noise, but through clarity, intention, and empathy.
At Swayze Design Studio, I help you uncover what truly matters so we can clear away what doesn’t. Together, we create user-informed experiences that clarify your message, energize your audience, and move your mission forward.
Let’s build what matters. If you’re ready for a website that finally reflects the depth of your talent and the excellence of your in-person experience, I’d love to partner with you.
Don’t settle for a digital presence that falls short of who you truly are.
Resources
Abby Laub
Abby is a Lexington-based photographer and videographer who specializes in storytelling through rich, authentic imagery. Her work brings atmosphere, emotion, and craft to life in a way that deepens every project she touches. Explore her work: https://www.jalaubphotography.com/
Azur Restaurant & Patio
Azur is a chef-driven, local-favorite restaurant known for its fresh, seasonal ingredients and warm neighborhood charm. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed dinner or a place to celebrate something special, their menu and atmosphere make every visit memorable. Learn more or make a reservation: https://www.azurrestaurant.com/
If This Story Resonated, You Might Enjoy This One Too
Designing Azur’s website required the same kind of attentiveness that great experiences demand in real life—slowing down, observing what matters, and designing with intention. If you’re curious about the philosophy behind that approach, this reflection explores how presence and empathy shape meaningful user experiences.
Toes to Nose — A UX Reflection
In Toes to Nose, I explore how slowing down, observing carefully, and walking in someone else’s world leads to better design. That same mindset guided the Azur website launch—designing with presence, empathy, and intention so the digital experience reflects the care and rhythm guests feel in the restaurant.