OurDate - Communication App

OurDate is a social media app that brings together singles and couples who share common interests, hobbies, and professions, allowing them to connect and participate in a wide range of in-person activities and events.

This project includes two phases, the Early Design phase and the Later Design phase. The final product takes into account all test results and feedback to achieve the best outcome.

The current app includes a home tab for joining events and a profile tab. The owner wants to add a chat function to benefit our users and encourage communication.

Since the previous designer’s contract ended, they were not able to complete the design for chat features. Therefore, my early design goal was to complete the UI designs for the existing chat feature, ensuring that they align with the current design system.

Here is a comparison of some of the screens:

To evaluate the chat function and determine the best designs, I developed a click-through prototype on Figma. This prototype was used to conduct usability tests, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of how users interact with the chat section. Customer interviews were conducted remotely, providing valuable feedback on aspects such as the participant list, chat history searching, and design structure.

Below are some quotes from the users:

"It will be helpful if I can see group members' basic bio, such as 'looking for'."

"I think a search bar is enough when searching chat history."

"It confuses me a little that the group chat has different functions before and after the event."

Before moving on to the next design phase, I asked our engineer to provide feedback on the chat features. The feedback is as follows.

In this design phase, I modified and created a total of 20 screens based on the original 7 screens. Additionally, a prototype was created to present to users in order to collect feedback. All feedback and findings have been incorporated into the next design phase.

The later design goal is to modify the current user flows based on user testing feedback and the engineer’s suggestions, and to discover the key features of the chat section. The feature should prepare users for an in-person connection and encourage their interaction about in-person activities as well.

To create a chat section that meets users' needs, I analyzed customer surveys from OurDate's previous events to identify their needs and expectations. Additionally, I combined these results with the feedback received during the Early Design phase to gain a deeper understanding of our users.

Here are some highlights:

• • All users agree that meeting people in person is better than online dating or swiping dating apps.
• • Most people believe it is efficient to join an event when they know the participants share the same interests and are open to being asked out.
• • Age is a significant criteria for a quality event.
• • Not many people want to join an event that includes a large number of attendees; they prefer smaller groups to allow for sufficient socializing time.

To ensure that the chat features of the OurDate app effectively support our company's mission of helping people join in-person events with shared interests, I analyzed two apps that closely align with our goal.

Based on the research, I created three personas. These personas represent three types of OurDate's users who prefer to meet people through events in order to find love and/or expand their social circle.

Chat features are common in community apps and event apps. However, they don't directly connect users to events. To fulfill our users' needs, I created an event-centric chat section aimed at encouraging users to meet in person and fostering rapid connections among individuals with shared interests.

Click 👉 HERE 👈 for the interactive prototype!

Overall, we have received positive feedback on the new chat features. Users love the idea of meeting new people through joining events, and they think the structure of the chat section facilitates the process and motivates them to participate in events and invite friends.

For future updates, I would like to introduce video chat functionality to encourage more meaningful interactions. Additionally, an ice-breaker game could be an interesting way to foster connections among participants. Furthermore, a chatbot will be introduced, functioning as a relationship counselor to provide support and guidance.

It is important to engage the users and understand their thoughts during the early design phase. The feedback guided the design choices and helped tailor the chat feature, a common feature found in many apps, into a unique experience for OurDate users.