The Guide's Inn – ICT Design Studio

The Guide’s Inn

A Northwoods Treasure of Tradition and Taste

For over four decades, The Guide’s Inn has been the heart of dining in Boulder Junction, WI, offering a blend of classic recipes and modern twists that keep guests coming back. Perfect for family gatherings and special occasions.

Client:

The Guide's Inn

Location:

Boulder Junction, WI

Challenges Identified

Despite its strong offline presence, The Guide’s Inn lacked a robust online platform. The absence of a dedicated website made it difficult for potential customers to discover the restaurant, explore its offerings, or make reservations. Additionally, the existing logo was not in a scalable format, limiting its use in various marketing channels. The challenge was to create an online experience that would mirror the restaurant’s established reputation and provide a seamless customer journey from discovery to reservation.

The Solution

Branding / Visual Identity
Logo Redesign / Art Direction
Web Design / Web Development
UX / UI Design
Packaging Design Concepts
Content Strategy / Online Reservations
Stationery Design / Business Cards / Letterhead
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Hosting / Maintenance Services

The collaboration between ICT Design Studio and The Guide’s Inn successfully transformed the restaurant’s online presence, aligning it with its reputation for exceptional dining. The project not only met but exceeded the client’s expectations, providing them with the tools they need to continue their legacy of fine dining in the digital age. This case study exemplifies our commitment to creating tailored solutions that drive real results for our clients.

Branding / Visual Identity

We conducted an in-depth brand analysis for The Guide’s Inn, uncovering its unique value proposition and defining its target audience. Leveraging these insights, we crafted a cohesive brand strategy to set them apart in the highly competitive restaurant industry.

Results

The Guide’s Inn saw a significant increase in brand recognition, customer engagement, and a noticeable boost in reservations.

Logo Redesign / Art Direction

Update and modernize The Guide’s Inn logo while preserving its original charm, and convert it into a vector format (AI, EPS, SVG) for versatile use.

Results

The existing logo was outdated and only available in raster format, which limited its scalability and clarity in different applications.

Web Design / Web Development

The Guide’s Inn, a charming and unique dining destination, sought to enhance its online presence and improve customer experience through a fresh, user-friendly website. With a growing customer base and increasing competition in the restaurant industry, they needed a site that not only reflected their distinctive brand but also streamlined the reservation process and attracted more visitors.

Results

A modern, user-friendly website that effectively showcases The Guide’s Inn’s unique dining experience, enhances customer trust, and drives more reservations and foot traffic.

UX/UI Design

We prioritized user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design to enhance the online journey for visitors. This included intuitive navigation, clear calls-to-action, and visually appealing layouts.

Results

Improved user satisfaction, longer website visits, and increased conversion rates.

Packaging Design

Designed for easy transport, these containers featured the logo prominently along with a secure closure system to keep food fresh and intact. The design ensured that the customer’s dining experience began the moment they picked up their order.

Results

By delivering multiple packaging samples that were consistent with the restaurant’s aesthetic, we ensured that The Guide’s Inn could offer its customers a seamless brand experience across all touchpoints.

Content Strategy / Online Reservations

We began by deeply understanding The Guide’s Inn’s brand, its history, and what makes it a standout dining destination in the Northwoods. This discovery phase informed the tone, voice, and key messaging that would be used across the website.

Results

We crafted content that not only provided essential information—such as menu details, location, and hours. — but also wove in the rich history of The Guide’s Inn. This storytelling approach helped to create an emotional connection with visitors, inviting them to experience more than just a meal, but a tradition.

Stationery Design / Business Cards / Letterhead

We designed branded stationery, business cards, letterhead, cover, and envelope design that maintain consistency with the new visual identity. This ensured a professional and memorable experience for clients both in-person and through correspondence.