Fox Theatre Atlanta

Designing an app for one of Atlanta’s most beloved live entertainment venues.

Context

The historic Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s most beloved live entertainment venues. Built in 1929, the Fox is booked more than 300 performances a year ranging from Broadway to rock to comedy to movies.

In response to an RFP, Stable|Kernel submitted a proposal that included a prototype I designed. The Fox team chose Stable|Kernel to design and build a native mobile app.

Goal

Create a mobile app that increases ticket sales, drink revenue and interest in the historical aspects of The Fox.

Create a mobile app that increases ticket sales, drink revenue and interest in the historical aspects of The Fox.

What I worked on

What I contributed

Discovery, Strategy, User Journeys, Wireframing, UX/UI Design, User Testing and Development handoff.

Discovery, Strategy, User Journeys, Wireframing, UX/UI Design, User Testing and Development handoff.

Designed for

Stable|Kernel

Role

Lead Product Designer

Platforms

iOS

Android

iOS

Android

iOS

Android

Team

Myself, PM, iOS Dev, Android Dev

Timeline

5 Months

Discovery

Research

We kicked things off with several visits to the Fox Theatre, where we met with the marketing and operations teams. We took a deep dive into the storied history of the Fox - from Shriners to Egyptomania to the days of Elvis, bankruptcy, and even ghost stories.

Our conversations focused on key topics, including:

  • The challenges of operating a nonprofit with substantial preservation costs

  • The fan experience—from ticketing and concessions to lounges and facility rentals

Key Insights

  • As a nonprofit arts organization, every dollar matters—sustainability is a constant focus.

  • The theater’s rich history and stunning architecture are deeply engaging and central to both Atlanta’s identity and the golden age of movie palaces.

  • Long concession lines often cause guests to miss parts of the performance.

  • The theater experience includes considerable downtime and waiting, impacting overall enjoyment.

This almost never happens…

Our next steps deviated from a traditional design process, but with good reason. We had already done extensive groundwork during the pitch phase, the client was enthusiastic about the prototype, and we were working within a tight budget and timeline. So, instead of starting from scratch, we made key revisions to the prototype and moved straight into testing.

User Testing

Once the initial UX and design work was complete, I led a team of eight in conducting on-site user testing with Fox patrons as they arrived for a theater event. Using A/B/C guerrilla-style testing, we gathered valuable insights quickly and cost-effectively, allowing us to iterate rapidly on the app design.

Final Design

Fox Style

The design was intentionally clean and minimal, allowing the brand’s colors, typography, and iconography to take center stage.

Onboarding

The app features a streamlined first-time user experience that quickly introduces users to its core functionalities. Through a series of clear, concise onboarding steps, users are guided through key features.

Buy Tickets

The Home Screen serves as the central hub for patrons, providing easy access to browse upcoming shows, explore event details, and purchase tickets seamlessly.

Order Drinks

Patrons can skip the long drink lines and enhance their theater experience by conveniently ordering and paying directly from their seats. With just a few taps, they can browse the menu, place their order, and complete the payment—all without leaving their spot.

Take A Tour

Showcasing the golden era of movie palaces, the Fox’s gilded architecture draws inspiration from Ancient Egypt and the Middle East. The in-app tour was designed to keep patrons engaged and build brand affinity during downtime, offering an interactive look at the theater’s rich history.

Outcome

The app has been a success, leading to Stable|Kernel retaining the Fox as a client. Looking ahead, plans for V2 and V3 include beacon-enabled tours, 3D interior imagery, expanded drink services, and the addition of native app ticket purchasing for a more seamless experience.


“The thing that stuck out about stable|kernel was how well they knew our business and how vibrant and exciting their prototype was. It was totally different from anything we had gotten from anyone else.”

- Jamie VosmeierSenior Director of Sales and Marketing at Fox

Final Design

Fox Style

The design was intentionally clean and minimal, allowing the brand’s colors, typography, and iconography to take center stage.

Onboarding

The app features a streamlined first-time user experience that quickly introduces users to its core functionalities. Through a series of clear, concise onboarding steps, users are guided through key features.

Buy Tickets

The Home Screen serves as the central hub for patrons, providing easy access to browse upcoming shows, explore event details, and purchase tickets seamlessly.

Order Drinks

Patrons can skip the long drink lines and enhance their theater experience by conveniently ordering and paying directly from their seats. With just a few taps, they can browse the menu, place their order, and complete the payment—all without leaving their spot.

Take A Tour

Showcasing the golden era of movie palaces, the Fox’s gilded architecture draws inspiration from Ancient Egypt and the Middle East. The in-app tour was designed to keep patrons engaged and build brand affinity during downtime, offering an interactive look at the theater’s rich history.

Outcome

The app has been a success, leading to Stable|Kernel retaining the Fox as a client. Looking ahead, plans for V2 and V3 include beacon-enabled tours, 3D interior imagery, expanded drink services, and the addition of native app ticket purchasing for a more seamless experience.


“The thing that stuck out about stable|kernel was how well they knew our business and how vibrant and exciting their prototype was. It was totally different from anything we had gotten from anyone else.”

- Jamie VosmeierSenior Director of Sales and Marketing at Fox