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


  1. Biggest user base

  2. Premium version with extra features

  3. No time limits on messaging

  4. Simple UI and quick gestures


CONS


  1. Too easy to mindlessly swipe right

  2. Primarily based on image impressions

  3. Can lead to compulsive screen usage

  4. Shallow algorithm determines who sees your profile

  5. Prone to catfishing

THURSDAY

PROS


  1. Offers face-to-face interactions

  2. Exclusive events

  3. Verification features

  4. Eliminates swipe fatigue


CONS


  1. Only available on Thursdays which could conflict w/user schedules

  2. Only available in NYC and London

  3. Slightly comes off as a speed dating app - rushed and forced

  4. Smaller user base

bumble

PROS


  1. Avoids unwanted messages (women-led)

  2. Offers business, romance, and BFF

  3. 24 hours to start conversation

  4. Safer community


CONS


  1. 24 hour limit could be restrictive

  2. Men not being able to message first could be a drawback

  3. Can lead to compulsive screen usage

  4. Prone to catfishing

hINGE

PROS


  1. More relationship focused

  2. Emphasis on interests and hobbies

  3. Clean and simple UI

  4. Customizable filters


CONS


  1. No bio/about me section

  2. Potential catfishing

  3. Free only allows for 8 likes a day

  4. Can lead to compulsive screen usage

  5. No way to go back

  6. Smaller user base

USER INTERVIEW OBJECTIVES

  1. What do people value in a potential partner?

  2. How do in-person introductions impact relationships?

  3. How do online introductions impact relationships?

  4. How do people pursue potential partners?

  5. What pain points are people having on dating apps?

  6. What pain points are people having when pursuing in-person?

  1. What do people value in a potential partner?

  2. How do in-person introductions impact relationships?

  3. How do online introductions impact relationships?

  4. How do people pursue potential partners?

  5. What pain points are people having on dating apps?

  6. What pain points are people having when pursuing in-person?

  1. What do people value in a potential partner?

  2. How do in-person introductions impact relationships?

  3. How do online introductions impact relationships?

  4. How do people pursue potential partners?

  5. What pain points are people having on dating apps?

  6. 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

  1. Dating apps feel unhealthy, overly curated, and lack memorability.

  2. It’s awkward to approach someone spontaneouslY due to the unknown variables about that person and their interest in you.

  3. 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.

  1. Dating apps feel unhealthy, overly curated, and lack memorability.

  2. It’s awkward to approach someone spontaneouslY due to the unknown variables about that person and their interest in you.

  3. 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.

  1. Dating apps feel unhealthy, overly curated, and lack memorability.

  2. It’s awkward to approach someone spontaneouslY due to the unknown variables about that person and their interest in you.

  3. 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:


  1. Onboarding

  1. Giving a GreenLight

  2. 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:


  1. Onboarding

  1. Giving a GreenLight

  2. 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:


  1. Onboarding

  1. Giving a GreenLight

  2. 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:


  1. Design more error states and different paths


  1. 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:


  1. Design more error states and different paths


  1. 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:


  1. Design more error states and different paths


  1. Partner with a developer to create a beta version of the app with more accurate animations and functionality

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