Project Overview
Date: November, 2023
Completion time: 10 weeks
Field: UX Research, UX Design, UI Design
Work type: group project
Our three-person team was tasked with designing a social discovery tool to help users find companions to practice shared hobbies. We began with a comprehensive research phase, which involved competitor analysis, as well as prescreening and screening participants, followed by in-depth interviews with individuals facing challenges in finding hobby partners.
From the insights gathered, we developed a persona, empathy map, and user journey map, which helped us reveal key pain points. In the ideation phase, we focused on addressing these issues to define a clear Minimum
Viable Product.
Viable Product.
We then mapped out the user flow, created essential wireframes, and conducted user testing to validate our approach. Finally, we proposed a User Interface design as the final touch.
Desk Research
The competitor analysis focused on various social networking platforms, including dating services, as they offer valuable insights into the mechanics of connecting like-minded individuals.
Interviews
To accurately understand the challenges faced by the focus group members, it was crucial to carefully select the interviewees. Prescreening and screening potential participants helped identify individuals with valuable insights. We then conducted in-depth interviews, which played a key role in the user profiling process.
User Profiling
Based on the gathered data, a persona was developed to gain a deeper understanding of the focus group members and their background.
In addition to the persona and empathy map, the User Journey Map provided deeper insights into the emotions and experiences of the focus group members, visualizing user's pain points.
Business and Programming Analysis
The ideation stage and group brainstorming session helped uncover the Minimum Viable Product, including proposed improvements to address pain points. These improvements were then analyzed from both business and programming perspectives to identify their potential benefits for the business and the challenges involved in the design and implementation process.
User Scenario
To create a user-centered design, we formulated a user scenario to focus on the user’s perspective and journey. This scenario further guided the development of the user flow and key wireframes, ensuring that each step aligned with the user's goals and experience.
User Testing
A wireframe prototype was used for user testing, which proved to be both cost- and time-efficient while providing invaluable feedback to guide the design of a more user-friendly interface. After two rounds of iteration, the solution evolved into a more coherent and structured design, with final testing confirming its effectiveness.
UI Design
As the final step of the process, a UI design was proposed, aiming for a clean yet vibrant aesthetic with a clear and intuitive structure.
