In the fast-paced world of retail and service environments, the ability to capture attention and deliver exceptional customer experiences in compact, mobile formats is more important than ever. Whether it's coffee, donuts, matcha, or snacks, the rise of on-the-go consumption has revolutionised how we think about product delivery and design. At Pingd Ltd, a UK-based commercial product design agency, we specialise in designing unique, functional, and visually engaging on-the-go units that make an impact—particularly in high-traffic locations like service stations, shopping centres, and convenience stores.
As a designer at Pingd, I want to take you behind the scenes of how we approach creating compelling on-the-go coffee units and similar solutions. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating holistic, branded experiences that are modular, scalable, and most importantly—memorable.
Understanding the Context: Why On-the-Go Units Matter
First, let’s look at why these commercial units are gaining traction. Modern consumers are increasingly time-poor and experience-driven. They want high-quality coffee or snacks quickly, and they want it in an environment that reflects the brands they love. This shift is driving demand for compact, efficient, and beautifully designed coffee units and pop-up stations that can operate in a variety of settings—from motorway service stations to the bustling walkways of large shopping centres.
From a commercial product design perspective, these units must do several things simultaneously:
- Attract attention in a crowded, competitive space
- Operate efficiently with minimal staffing
- Reinforce brand identity in both subtle and overt ways
- Be modular and scalable for different locations
- Be easy to maintain and durable in high-use environments
This is where the design process truly begins.
Step 1: Research & Insight Gathering
At Pingd, everything starts with research. We don’t just design based on trends—we dive deep into user behaviour, competitor analysis, and site-specific constraints. For example, designing a coffee station for a motorway service area is completely different from designing a donut pop-up for a shopping centre atrium.
We consider:
- Customer demographics (commuters, families, shoppers)
- Time of day usage (breakfast rush vs. afternoon snack break)
- Flow of foot traffic and how people move through the space
- Utilities available (power, water, drainage)
- Operational needs (stocking, cleaning, staff access)
These insights help shape a design brief that balances functionality, visual impact, and customer engagement.
Step 2: Concept Development
With our insights in hand, we begin the creative process. This is where the magic happens. Our goal is to create a unit that not only looks beautiful but is also optimised for service and customer experience.
Here we explore multiple routes:
- A minimal, Scandinavian-inspired matcha unit with soft lighting and calming tones
- A bold, street-food-style donut station with neon accents and a modular build
- A refined, artisanal coffee pod with high-end finishes and a crafted look
Each concept is explored through sketches, 3D models, and renders. We pay close attention to branding elements, ergonomics, material selection, and lighting design.
One of our key differentiators at Pingd is how we integrate brand storytelling into every design decision. For instance, a matcha bar might incorporate natural wood, textured ceramics, and leaf motifs, subtly evoking its Japanese heritage without being overly literal.
Step 3: Design for Manufacture
This is where commercial product design meets real-world practicality. Beautiful concepts must be translated into viable, buildable units. We work closely with fabricators and engineers to ensure every component is feasible, durable, and compliant with safety regulations.
Key considerations include:
- Material resilience (e.g. laminated ply for high-traffic areas)
- Assembly and transport logistics (flat-pack vs. pre-built)
- Integration of equipment (coffee machines, refrigeration, till systems)
- Maintenance access and modular service panels
At Pingd, we champion a design-for-manufacture approach from day one. This avoids costly reworks and ensures the final unit looks and performs exactly as intended.
Step 4: Prototyping & Testing
Once a design is signed off, we move into prototyping. For on-the-go coffee units and service station pop-ups, this phase is crucial. We test:
- User interaction (can customers navigate the space easily?)
- Staff workflow (is the setup intuitive and ergonomic?)
- Brand visibility (does it stand out across the concourse?)
- Durability (does it hold up under real-world conditions?)
This iterative testing ensures we can make refinements before a full rollout.
Step 5: Deployment & Iteration
Our involvement doesn’t stop at design. We support clients through manufacture, installation, and post-deployment evaluation. This is particularly important for brands looking to scale across multiple sites.
We often revisit:
- Performance metrics (sales, dwell time, repeat customers)
- Staff feedback on usability
- Customer feedback via surveys or observation
- Site-specific tweaks to improve impact or efficiency
As a result, our on-the-go units evolve over time—refined through use, feedback, and experience.
The Pingd Approach: Blending Creativity with Commerciality
What makes Pingd Ltd stand out is our ability to fuse creative thinking with commercial realism. We understand that a coffee unit in a service station isn’t just a vending space—it’s a brand touchpoint. Every finish, light fitting, and piece of signage communicates something.
We work with:
- Startups launching new food and drink concepts
- Established brands expanding their reach
- Property developers and retail operators looking to activate underused spaces
Each project is different, but the goal is the same: deliver high-quality, highly considered commercial product design that balances function with form.
Final Thoughts
The demand for portable, scalable, on-the-go units isn’t going away anytime soon. As consumers continue to seek convenience without compromising on quality, brands must rise to the challenge with engaging, efficient, and well-designed offerings.
At Pingd Ltd, we thrive on that challenge. Whether it’s a coffee station design for a busy motorway stop or a sleek matcha pod for a trendy shopping centre, we bring together insight, creativity, and practicality to deliver commercial design that performs.
If you’re a brand looking to make your mark in the on-the-go space, let’s talk. Because in this world, standing still isn’t an option.
