Toko Perihal Cinta holds the distinction of being Indonesia’s first dedicated romance bookstore. Beyond a traditional retail space, it serves as a community hub for “love and connection,” offering curated romantic literature alongside unique experiential programs such as speed dating, Tamasya Asmara (romance excursions), and Lokakarya Cinta (workshops). The objective was to build a digital presence that feels as warm and inviting as a physical bookstore while serving as a high-functioning platform for both product sales and event registrations.
M. Ali Ma'ruf
Specialty Retail / Community & Events
WordPress (custom build)
The primary design challenge was to move beyond the “standard bookstore” template. The website needed to:
Seamlessly integrate a curated book catalog with a diverse schedule of events without one overshadowing the other.
Capture the "romance" theme—warmth, intimacy, and nostalgia—without falling into clichéd or dated design patterns.
Establish the brand as a pioneer in Indonesia’s literary scene, appealing to a modern, digitally-native audience looking for meaningful connections.
I developed a visual system rooted in a palette of deep maroons, soft creams, and muted pinks. This choice evokes the feeling of a cozy, physical space while maintaining a sophisticated, modern edge. The typography uses a blend of elegant serifs for headlines to imply storytelling, paired with clean sans-serifs for readability and ease of navigation.
Instead of a generic homepage, I structured the entry point to highlight the “Perihal” (matters) of the brand.
High-impact sections dedicated to Speed Dating and Tamasya Asmara use emotive imagery and clear calls-to-action to drive community engagement.
Rather than overwhelming users with a massive database, the bookstore section emphasizes "curation"—presenting books as part of a lifestyle and emotional journey.
I designed custom sections that explain the unique philosophy of the shop, building a narrative that turns customers into community members.
Choosing WordPress allowed for a balance of robust e-commerce capabilities and easy content management.
The backend is optimized for handling diverse product types, from physical books to digital event tickets.
Given that the target demographic is mobile-heavy, the build is meticulously optimized for fast loading and intuitive touch navigation on smartphones.
The project was managed through a rigorous staging process to ensure all interactive elements—specifically event sign-ups—functioned flawlessly before going live.
The final product for Toko Perihal Cinta is more than an e-commerce site; it is a digital destination. By merging a highly aesthetic UI with a practical UX strategy, the platform successfully supports the brand’s mission of fostering connection in Indonesia. The design provides the scalability needed to grow their book inventory while simultaneously managing the logistical demands of their expanding community programs.