Tricks with tips or emotion-driven user experience

The main challenge that QR menus and tipping services face, beyond integration with a venue's original menu, is that digital tipping is emotionless. It's super useful to pay contactlessly, but you won't get the same positive feedback from a waiter as you do with cash tips. Actually, guests are not always even sure that the waiter got this money, it's not transparent enough.

The rise of QR menus and contactless tipping services was due to COVID, of course, but that was 5 years ago (I'm also in shock, by the way, about how fast time flies). Reducing printing costs and improving safety were the main benefits of digital tipping.

But then AI happened and changed everything, but not the way we tip and use digital menus!

Nowadays, in just a few seconds, cafe can convert paper or PDF menu into a perfect-looking and fully customizable web app. One more second, and a restaurant's menu is translated into any language. Dish descriptions are instantly enhanced with allergens and ingredients. Alternatively, a venue can create the perfect dish description simply by uploading a photo. Sounds great, huh?

But back to tips. As a Founding Designer, I decided to add emotions into the interaction between guests and waiters, while keeping the payment flow as simple as getting cash from a wallet.

My recipe of a perfect digital tip service:

• Integration with the most popular payment methods in a region
• Minimum taps to pay and only essential elements
• Transparent payment details, hide nothing important
• Agile layout that adapts to any venue
• Emotional feedback (not boring)

Tips shouldn't feel like paying taxes or yet another transaction. It should feel like a genuine thank you — instant and warm moment of gratitude.

With Dinn, digital tipping becomes personal again.