Trauffer: The 25-Hour Rescue
Architecting a multi-branch tourism and e-commerce ecosystem under extreme temporal constraints for Switzerland’s iconic heritage brand.
Client
Trauffer
Services
Tech
Turnaround
From project takeover to final handoff, delivering a complete redesign under tight constraints.
Pages Architected
Transformed a stalled project into a 42-page high-fidelity system within the 25-hour window.
Business Units
Unified the Shop, Hotel, Restaurant, Events, and HQ under one system.
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. This required a balance between e-commerce (toys) and high-end hospitality booking (hotel/restaurants).
Senior Note
"With 25 hours on the clock, I prioritized Information Architecture as the single source of truth. By solving the navigation for five distinct business units (Hotel, Shop, Events, Food, HQ) first, the UI became a logical extension of the map rather than a decorative exercise."
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.
The Results
The project was delivered 100% on-spec. By leading direct client meetings and eliminating feedback loops, we bypassed the traditional ‘agency lag.’ The result is a unified digital ecosystem that respects Trauffer’s 80-year history while functioning as a modern, high-conversion hospitality platform.
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