Cafe brand extension through play and conversation.
We partnered with Sweet Talk Café, a Port Moody staple, to extend their brand beyond visuals and into meaningful in-store interactions. Our team designed The Sweet Exchange: a conversational card game built to spark connection, encourage guests to linger, and turn routine visits into memorable experiences. We tracked ordering patterns, seating choices, visit durations, and customer behaviour, and conducted interviews with co-owner Scott to understand business goals and branding challenges,
For the real people, not for our assumptions
We developed three personas based on field research, interviews, and observation at Sweet Talk Café. Each character represents a distinct pattern we saw in how customers use the space: the Early Bird who values speed and routine, the Curious Cat who seeks novelty and connection, and Pea & Pod who come for shared moments and loyalty. All illustrations and persona work was completed by me.
Designed to be talked about.
The final outcome is a conversational card game integrated directly into Sweet Talk Café’s environment. Each card is intentionally simple, approachable, and visually consistent with the brand, designed to spark dialogue between strangers, friends, and regulars. Something you discover at your table, return to across visits, and associate with the space itself. This transforms Sweet Talk into an experience you participate in.
Three ways to start a conversation
We designed three card categories to shape different kinds of conversations: Sweet Talk for light, playful icebreakers, Casual Talk for getting to know someone without pressure, and Deep Talk for more personal, reflective moments between close friends or couples. The game is flexible for any table, any relationship, and any mood.
