Printing the hotel

My journey as a designer began with a deep appreciation for traditional desktop publishing and print media. I started my career at a small printing house in my hometown in Slovakia, where I worked on a wide range of projects for clients both big and small. That era holds mixed memories for me—it was my first encounter with macOS, my introduction to Adobe software, and my first real experience navigating client demands in a commercial print environment.

Fast-forward a few years, and I found myself applying those early lessons in print and design to a new challenge—my current workplace, Hotel Jomfru Ane. I quickly noticed significant opportunities for improvement, not just in digital presence, but also in print materials.

Let’s take another look at Hotel Jomfru Ane—this time from a graphic design perspective.

There were several pain points that caught my attention, starting with the biggest one—the clumsy and worn-out leather folder that was, quite frankly, an absolute disaster.

The folder was meant to provide guests with essential information about the hotel and its surroundings—perhaps even more—but over time, it became increasingly difficult to ensure that all the materials inside remained intact after each guest's stay.

Another major issue was how inconvenient the folder was for housekeeping. In an industry where efficiency is key, constantly moving it around was a hassle, and its material made it difficult to keep clean.

So, I designed a compact, wall-mounted poster that consolidates all the necessary information in one place. It eliminates clutter, requires (almost) no maintenance, and is positioned strategically within the guest's line of sight for easy access.

That said, I did face a challenge. I noticed an increase in guests asking for Wi-Fi details, possibly as a result of this redesign. But I suspect there’s another reason behind it, which ties into another project I took on. Shall we take a look?

In October, the hotel underwent a major upgrade to its check-in and lock system, transitioning from traditional key cards to modern number pad locks operated by four-digit codes. Given how digitalized our world is, sending these codes via text messages and emails seemed like a straightforward solution. However, in practice, there were situations where delivering these messages proved challenging.

To address this, I designed a set of code cards as a backup. These physical cards include the room number, access code, and breakfast time that guests would typically receive via message, ensuring they have the information they need even if digital communication fails.

However, this transition came with an unexpected challenge. As guests, we are used to receiving a physical piece of paper with important details, like Wi-Fi credentials. With the removal of the key card sleeves (which previously held this info), a gap was created. As a result, more guests returned to the front desk asking for Wi-Fi details, despite this information being clearly displayed on the new in-room posters.

These projects at Hotel Jomfru Ane not only allowed me to address key pain points but also provided the opportunity to stretch my ability to tackle graphic design challenges in a physical, print-based context. From rethinking hotel information to creating functional, user-friendly materials, I was able to put my versatility as a designer to the test. While my foundation is in digital design, I’m equally adept at taking on graphic design roles in the print world, demonstrating that design isn’t limited to screen—it can also make a lasting impact in the physical space.