GREENLIGHT
THE DATING APP DESIGNED TO FOSTER IN-PERSON CONNECTIONS
THE DATING APP DESIGNED TO FOSTER IN-PERSON CONNECTIONS
The DATING APP DESIGNED TO FOSTER IN-PERSON CONNECTIONS
Try Prototype
Mobile app concept
Mobile app concept
Project
Project
40 hours
40 hours
Timeline
Timeline
UI/UX Designer
UI/UX Designer
Role
Role
0
OVERVIEW
Background
Current dating apps involve swiping through a sea of carefully curated profiles. Half the time people match, exchange a couple of texts, and then nothing. If you do plan an in-person meetup there’s a tremendous amount of pressure involving the first encounter, risk of being catfished, and a lack of spontaneity. Plus who likes saying they met on a dating app?
Current dating apps involve swiping through a sea of carefully curated profiles. Half the time people match, exchange a couple of texts, and then nothing. If you do plan an in-person meetup there’s a tremendous amount of pressure involving the first encounter, risk of being catfished, and a lack of spontaneity. Plus who likes saying they met on a dating app?
Current dating apps involve swiping through a sea of carefully curated profiles. Half the time people match, exchange a couple of texts, and then nothing. If you do plan an in-person meetup there’s a tremendous amount of pressure involving the first encounter, risk of being catfished, and a lack of spontaneity. Plus who likes saying they met on a dating app?
Problem
Dating app success rates are low
Dating app success rates are low
Dating app success rates are low
1
RESEARCH
POV STATEMENT
We want to learn more about young adult dating experiences to identify areas for improvement both online and in person.
We want to learn more about young adult dating experiences to identify areas for improvement both online and in person.
We want to learn more about young adult dating experiences to identify areas for improvement both online and in person.
COMPETITIVE
ANALYSIS
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
I identified patterns between each platform and recognized a massive gap in the market. It seems most apps are formulated on the idea of browsing profiles through a series of images and then attempting to build rapport through chat.
I identified patterns between each platform and recognized a massive gap in the market. It seems most apps are formulated on the idea of browsing profiles through a series of images and then attempting to build rapport through chat.
I identified patterns between each platform and recognized a massive gap in the market. It seems most apps are formulated on the idea of browsing profiles through a series of images and then attempting to build rapport through chat.
TINDER
PROS
• Biggest user base
• Premium version with extra features
• No time limits on messaging
• Simple UI and quick gestures
CONS
• Too easy to mindlessly swipe right
• Primarily based on image impressions
• Can lead to compulsive screen usage
• Shallow algorithm determines who sees your profile
• Prone to catfishing
THURSDAY
PROS
• Offers face-to-face interactions
Exclusive events
Verification features
Eliminates swipe fatigue
CONS
Only available on Thursdays which could conflict w/user schedules
Only available in NYC and London
Slightly comes off as a speed dating app - rushed and forced
Smaller user base
BUMBLE
PROS
Avoids unwanted messages (women-led)
Offers business, romance, and BFF
24 hours to start conversation
Safer community
CONS
24 hour limit could be restrictive
Men not being able to message first could be a drawback
Can lead to compulsive screen usage
Prone to catfishing
HINGE
PROS
More relationship focused
Emphasis on interests and hobbies
Clean and simple UI
Customizable filters
CONS
No bio/about me section
Potential catfishing
Free only allows for 8 likes a day
Can lead to compulsive screen usage
No way to go back
Smaller user base
TINDER
PROS
Biggest user base
Premium version with extra features
No time limits on messaging
Simple UI and quick gestures
CONS
Too easy to mindlessly swipe right
Primarily based on image impressions
Can lead to compulsive screen usage
Shallow algorithm determines who sees your profile
Prone to catfishing
THURSDAY
PROS
Offers face-to-face interactions
Exclusive events
Verification features
Eliminates swipe fatigue
CONS
Only available on Thursdays which could conflict w/user schedules
Only available in NYC and London
Slightly comes off as a speed dating app - rushed and forced
Smaller user base
bumble
PROS
Avoids unwanted messages (women-led)
Offers business, romance, and BFF
24 hours to start conversation
Safer community
CONS
24 hour limit could be restrictive
Men not being able to message first could be a drawback
Can lead to compulsive screen usage
Prone to catfishing
hINGE
PROS
More relationship focused
Emphasis on interests and hobbies
Clean and simple UI
Customizable filters
CONS
No bio/about me section
Potential catfishing
Free only allows for 8 likes a day
Can lead to compulsive screen usage
No way to go back
Smaller user base
USER INTERVIEW OBJECTIVES
What do people value in a potential partner?
How do in-person introductions impact relationships?
How do online introductions impact relationships?
How do people pursue potential partners?
What pain points are people having on dating apps?
What pain points are people having when pursuing in-person?
What do people value in a potential partner?
How do in-person introductions impact relationships?
How do online introductions impact relationships?
How do people pursue potential partners?
What pain points are people having on dating apps?
What pain points are people having when pursuing in-person?
What do people value in a potential partner?
How do in-person introductions impact relationships?
How do online introductions impact relationships?
How do people pursue potential partners?
What pain points are people having on dating apps?
What pain points are people having when pursuing in-person?
5
5
Participants
Participants
20-24
20-24
Ages
Ages
Remote
Remote
Location
Location
FINDINGS
Dating apps feel unhealthy, overly curated, and lack memorability.
It’s awkward to approach someone spontaneouslY due to the unknown variables about that person and their interest in you.
Arranging a date from a dating app is a big transition, involves extra effort, and people don’t want to take that risk with semi-strangers.
Dating apps feel unhealthy, overly curated, and lack memorability.
It’s awkward to approach someone spontaneouslY due to the unknown variables about that person and their interest in you.
Arranging a date from a dating app is a big transition, involves extra effort, and people don’t want to take that risk with semi-strangers.
Dating apps feel unhealthy, overly curated, and lack memorability.
It’s awkward to approach someone spontaneouslY due to the unknown variables about that person and their interest in you.
Arranging a date from a dating app is a big transition, involves extra effort, and people don’t want to take that risk with semi-strangers.
I get really bored of dating apps, you're just seeing face value, the best pictures they have of themself.
I get really bored of dating apps, you're just seeing face value, the best pictures they have of themself.
I get really bored of dating apps, you're just seeing face value, the best pictures they have of themself.
Less than 5% of the people I talk to on dating apps I actually meet up with.
Less than 5% of the people I talk to on dating apps I actually meet up with.
Less than 5% of the people I talk to on dating apps I actually meet up with.
You could get to talking to someone then you find out they're taken...it’s kinda a waste of time.
You could get to talking to someone then you find out they're taken...it’s kinda a waste of time.
You could get to talking to someone then you find out they're taken...it’s kinda a waste of time.
2
DEFINE
USER PERSONAS
The research revealed specific issues for straight male and queer female audiences. Both groups described feeling “more pressure” to make advances with partners both in public and online yet increased amounts of fear that they would be rejected or perceived as predatory. These groups were also the least successful when pursuing a meetup through dating apps.
The research revealed specific issues for straight male and queer female audiences. Both groups described feeling “more pressure” to make advances with partners both in public and online yet increased amounts of fear that they would be rejected or perceived as predatory. These groups were also the least successful when pursuing a meetup through dating apps.
The research revealed specific issues for straight male and queer female audiences. Both groups described feeling “more pressure” to make advances with partners both in public and online yet increased amounts of fear that they would be rejected or perceived as predatory. These groups were also the least successful when pursuing a meetup through dating apps.
THE 5 WHYS
On the surface, we know success rates for dating apps are low and people don’t like approaching potential partners in public. I utilized the 5 whys technique and hypothesized that many users join dating apps because consequences are diluted online. On the flip side, there's too many wild cards when blindly approaching and rejection feels worse face-to-face.
On the surface, we know success rates for dating apps are low and people don’t like approaching potential partners in public. I utilized the 5 whys technique and hypothesized that many users join dating apps because consequences are diluted online. On the flip side, there's too many wild cards when blindly approaching and rejection feels worse face-to-face.
On the surface, we know success rates for dating apps are low and people don’t like approaching potential partners in public. I utilized the 5 whys technique and hypothesized that many users join dating apps because consequences are diluted online. On the flip side, there's too many wild cards when blindly approaching and rejection feels worse face-to-face.
USER FLOWS
I aimed to create an experience that was unique for users yet familiar and intuitive. I did this by thinking about the components of competitor dating apps and asking myself if certain flows/features were fundamental to the user’s experience or if they could be altered.
I aimed to create an experience that was unique for users yet familiar and intuitive. I did this by thinking about the components of competitor dating apps and asking myself if certain flows/features were fundamental to the user’s experience or if they could be altered.
I aimed to create an experience that was unique for users yet familiar and intuitive. I did this by thinking about the components of competitor dating apps and asking myself if certain flows/features were fundamental to the user’s experience or if they could be altered.
3
DESIGN
→ SKETCH
→ WIREFRAME
→ PROTOTYPE
The onboarding survey process was one of the biggest improvements between iterations. It felt like there were better questions/interactions to establish a user and their wants than just basic sliders. This thinking pushed me to do further research on what makes people compatible. I found that there are different types of compatibility and conflict resolution that influence how well a couple will mesh.
The onboarding survey process was one of the biggest improvements between iterations. It felt like there were better questions/interactions to establish a user and their wants than just basic sliders. This thinking pushed me to do further research on what makes people compatible. I found that there are different types of compatibility and conflict resolution that influence how well a couple will mesh.
The onboarding survey process was one of the biggest improvements between iterations. It felt like there were better questions/interactions to establish a user and their wants than just basic sliders. This thinking pushed me to do further research on what makes people compatible. I found that there are different types of compatibility and conflict resolution that influence how well a couple will mesh.
4
TEST
USABILITY TESTING
The high-fidelity wireframes allowed me to create a more accurate product prototype where I could conduct usability tests with participants and identify what was working well and what could be improved. I measured success on participants ability to complete the following tasks:
Onboarding
Giving a GreenLight
Receiving a GreenLight
The high-fidelity wireframes allowed me to create a more accurate product prototype where I could conduct usability tests with participants and identify what was working well and what could be improved. I measured success on participants ability to complete the following tasks:
Onboarding
Giving a GreenLight
Receiving a GreenLight
The high-fidelity wireframes allowed me to create a more accurate product prototype where I could conduct usability tests with participants and identify what was working well and what could be improved. I measured success on participants ability to complete the following tasks:
Onboarding
Giving a GreenLight
Receiving a GreenLight
5
5
Participants
Participants
21-23
21-23
Ages
Ages
Remote
Remote
Location
Location
RESULTS
Overall the feedback was positive. All participants were able to complete the allotted tasks within the given time frame.
Overall the feedback was positive. All participants were able to complete the allotted tasks within the given time frame.
Overall the feedback was positive. All participants were able to complete the allotted tasks within the given time frame.
ITERATIONS
CONCISE LANGUAGE
CONCISE LANGUAGE
Making onboarding text more concise for quick readability and comprehension.
Making onboarding text more concise for quick readability and comprehension.
Making onboarding text more concise for quick readability and comprehension.
Making onboarding text more concise for quick readability and comprehension.
EVENTS SEARCH BAR
EVENTS SEARCH BAR
A search bar for nearby and/or popular events. This way users could check out a specific event before going and see if many users are out.
A search bar for nearby and/or popular events. This way users could check out a specific event before going and see if many users are out.
A search bar for nearby and/or popular events. This way users could check out a specific event before going and see if many users are out.
A search bar for nearby and/or popular events. This way users could check out a specific event before going and see if many users are out.
FINAL PRODUCT
Try Prototype
Ultimately, I wanted to create a dating app that broke the “dating app formula” we’re so used to seeing.
A majority of us carry around micro-computers in our back pockets nearly everywhere we go, yet we’re more isolated than ever before. Is there a way we can utilize tech to help us start actually connecting again?
Ultimately, I wanted to create a dating app that broke the “dating app formula” we’re so used to seeing.
A majority of us carry around micro-computers in our back pockets nearly everywhere we go, yet we’re more isolated than ever before. Is there a way we can utilize tech to help us start actually connecting again?
Ultimately, I wanted to create a dating app that broke the “dating app formula” we’re so used to seeing.
A majority of us carry around micro-computers in our back pockets nearly everywhere we go, yet we’re more isolated than ever before. Is there a way we can utilize tech to help us start actually connecting again?
5
REFLECT
Overall this project challenged me to think outside the box and consider healthier ways for people to interact with dating apps. I see a ton of room for growth and expansion within this app. I believe that post-pandemic, people are craving human connection now more than ever. The app’s connection to real-world events could spawn partnerships/sponsorships with bars, college campuses, festivals, and different venues nationwide.
If I had more time I’d like to:
Design more error states and different paths
Partner with a developer to create a beta version of the app with more accurate animations and functionality
Overall this project challenged me to think outside the box and consider healthier ways for people to interact with dating apps. I see a ton of room for growth and expansion within this app. I believe that post-pandemic, people are craving human connection now more than ever. The app’s connection to real-world events could spawn partnerships/sponsorships with bars, college campuses, festivals, and different venues nationwide.
If I had more time I’d like to:
Design more error states and different paths
Partner with a developer to create a beta version of the app with more accurate animations and functionality
Overall this project challenged me to think outside the box and consider healthier ways for people to interact with dating apps. I see a ton of room for growth and expansion within this app. I believe that post-pandemic, people are craving human connection now more than ever. The app’s connection to real-world events could spawn partnerships/sponsorships with bars, college campuses, festivals, and different venues nationwide.
If I had more time I’d like to:
Design more error states and different paths
Partner with a developer to create a beta version of the app with more accurate animations and functionality
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