1. FC KÖLN
THE VIP COMPANION APP
The Essence
How do you bridge the gap between a physical stadium experience and digital depth in just a few days? For 1. FC Köln, we replaced months of traditional development with a high-intensity “Vibe Coding” sprint, proving that strategic depth and rapid execution are not mutually exclusive.
The Challenge
Efficiency as a Creative Catalyst – The objective was clear: Create a low-budget, fully functional iPad pilot for the VIP Lounge to accompany the live match. The core question was one of feasibility: How quickly can a bespoke, backend-integrated application be built from scratch without compromising the brand’s integrity or the user’s experience?
The Strategy
A dual experience: Together with Björn Rosenthal (Programming & Project Management), I designed a framework that caters to the two distinct rhythms of a football match, now enhanced with deep engagement and commercial layers.
Client:
1. FC Köln
My Role:
– Freelance Creative Director
– Freelance Art Director
– Freelance UX & UI Designer
EXPLORATION MODE
The intellectual deep dive. Designed for the “quiet” moments. This mode allowed guests to engage before, during and after the match.
The Lineup & Tactical Board
A sophisticated overview of the starting XI, including player profiles and tactical setups.
Trivia & Expert Quiz
A gamified layer to test the user’s “Effzeh” knowledge, turning passive waiting into active engagement.
Augmented Reality (AR)
We’ve created 3D Models so users could place life-sized players in the lounge, explore the stadium architecture, or even place the iconic mascot, “Hennes,” next to the buffet.
POPCORN MODE
Contextual Intensity. A secondary dashboard for the “active” match moments.
Real-Time Analytics
Displaying hit probabilities and live statistics.
Emotional Sync
Celebrating goals with bold, screen-filling animations, while acknowledging setbacks with sober clarity.
Commercial & Technical Integration
Seamless Utility – A premium experience must be functional. We integrated three core business pillars without disrupting the aesthetic flow:
Merchandising & Shop Integration:
A curated selection of club merchandise accessible directly from the interface. High-intent shopping integrated into the lounge experience.
Service Integration:
A “Digital Tab” feature allowed guests to order drinks and snacks directly to their seat.
Strategic Advertising:
Instead of intrusive banners, we implemented high-end brand placements that felt like a natural extension of the club’s ecosystem—proving that monetization can be elegant.
Commercial & Technical Integration
Seamless Utility – A premium experience must be functional. We integrated three core business pillars without disrupting the aesthetic flow:
Merchandising & Shop Integration:
A curated selection of club merchandise accessible directly from the interface. High-intent shopping integrated into the lounge experience.
Service Integration:
A “Digital Tab” feature allowed guests to order drinks and snacks directly to their seat.
Strategic Advertising:
Instead of intrusive banners, we implemented high-end brand placements that felt like a natural extension of the club’s ecosystem—proving that monetization can be elegant.
THE RESULT
From Vision to Stadium in Days
The pilot was an immediate success. By focusing on the essentials and utilizing an agile “Vibe Coding” workflow, we delivered a product in days that would typically take months.
The project proved that when strategy, senior design, and precise engineering work in total sync, the result is a high-impact digital product that enhances the physical world. This methodology now serves as a blueprint for our future high-speed, high-depth collaborations.
“I hope our product helps to support all FC fans in their passion.”
Design Philosophy
Boldness meets Heritage The visual language is a fresh, “poster” interpretation of 1. FC Köln’s corporate design. We moved away from cluttered interfaces toward a high-contrast, typography-driven aesthetic.
Precision:
Custom-made icons and micro-animations provide a sense of technical elegance.
Scalability:
The menu system was built to be modular, ensuring the app can grow as the club’s digital needs evolve.
“True premium design isn’t about how much you can add, but how seamlessly you can integrate complex functions – like shopping and advertising – without breaking the user’s focus.”
THE RESULT
From Vision to Stadium in Days
The pilot was an immediate success. By focusing on the essentials and utilizing an agile “Vibe Coding” workflow, we delivered a product in days that would typically take months.
The project proved that when strategy, senior design, and precise engineering work in total sync, the result is a high-impact digital product that enhances the physical world. This methodology now serves as a blueprint for our future high-speed, high-depth collaborations.
“I hope our product helps to support all FC fans in their passion.”
Let's create something meaningful together
I love what I do - for me, design is less of a job and more of a calling. That's why I enjoy working with ambitious individuals and mid-sized businesses just as much as I do with global players. If you bring that same passion to your project, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s find out together how we can take your vision to the next level.
