Here dating is easy!

Here dating is easy!

Here dating is easy!

about

about

When boredom creeps in, couples sometimes need a small nudge to start dating again. And that nudge is the Date Hunt app. It aims to make date planning less demanding and time-consuming by providing users with various date ideas that are accessible to everyone, all in one place.

When boredom creeps in, couples sometimes need a small nudge to start dating again. And that nudge is the Date Hunt app. It aims to make date planning less demanding and time-consuming by providing users with various date ideas that are accessible to everyone, all in one place.

The problem

The problem

The initial idea of the app came to me during my own struggle to plan a perfect anniversary date with my partner. I browsed the same old pages with “Fun Date Ideas to Level Up Your Romance” and googled some nearby attractions and events. I ended up with nothing that suited our needs and resources. After my background research, I found that many couples struggle with similar problems.

The initial idea of the app came to me during my own struggle to plan a perfect anniversary date with my partner. I browsed the same old pages with “Fun Date Ideas to Level Up Your Romance” and googled some nearby attractions and events. I ended up with nothing that suited our needs and resources. After my background research, I found that many couples struggle with similar problems.

The challenge

The challenge

Date Hunt was created in the spirit of inclusivity. It is to answer the needs of as many social groups as possible, with various backgrounds, resources, abilities or ages. To achieve that, I had to come up with extensive filtering options, so that users would be able to quickly modify the list of ideas to suit their needs. Another key point is motivation: how to encourage users to keep engaging with the app. The answer is: gamification. The challenges and rewards system solve the problem of users’ short attention span and enhances participation. It speaks to people’s natural desires to compete.

Date Hunt was created in the spirit of inclusivity. It is to answer the needs of as many social groups as possible, with various backgrounds, resources, abilities or ages. To achieve that, I had to come up with extensive filtering options, so that users would be able to quickly modify the list of ideas to suit their needs. Another key point is motivation: how to encourage users to keep engaging with the app. The answer is: gamification. The challenges and rewards system solve the problem of users’ short attention span and enhances participation. It speaks to people’s natural desires to compete.

The Design

The Design

The Design

The main screens

The main screens

The main screens

The sign up page, the first product-user interaction, is designed to be friendly and visually appealing, so that users know what mood to expect from the product. The location name is on the very top of the main page to indicate to users that the app work in more than one location. On the main page, users are welcomed with a swiping game they can play with their partner. Search and filtering options allow users to shorten their choosing process.

The sign up page, the first product-user interaction, is designed to be friendly and visually appealing, so that users know what mood to expect from the product. The location name is on the very top of the main page to indicate to users that the app work in more than one location. On the main page, users are welcomed with a swiping game they can play with their partner. Search and filtering options allow users to shorten their choosing process.

The date info screens

The date info screens

The date info screens

The date page contains all the necessary information for users to decide whether they want to book it. Users can contact the organizer outside the app through the website, e-mail, or phone. There is also an in-app Q&A, in case there is some missing information. After my research interviews, I’ve learned that the most important decision-making factor is user reviews. So it was crucial for the app to have a well-developed reviewing system.

The date page contains all the necessary information for users to decide whether they want to book it. Users can contact the organizer outside the app through the website, e-mail, or phone. There is also an in-app Q&A, in case there is some missing information. After my research interviews, I’ve learned that the most important decision-making factor is user reviews. So it was crucial for the app to have a well-developed reviewing system.

The date booking screens

The date booking screens

The date booking screens

After the user’s decision comes to booking process. It’s very intuitive. The buttons tell the users what stage follows the button-click, instead of just plain “Next”. In the last phase, users can easily add the date to their desired calendar. After all, nobody wants to forget their scheduled date.

After the user’s decision comes to booking process. It’s very intuitive. The buttons tell the users what stage follows the button-click, instead of just plain “Next”. In the last phase, users can easily add the date to their desired calendar. After all, nobody wants to forget their scheduled date.

The challenges screens

The challenges screens

The challenges screens

As I’ve mentioned above, gamification is a great aim to achieve better user engagement with the product. The motivation to collect points and eventually exchange them for rewards is crucial to ensuring long-term participation.

As I’ve mentioned above, gamification is a great aim to achieve better user engagement with the product. The motivation to collect points and eventually exchange them for rewards is crucial to ensuring long-term participation.

The log screens

The log screens

The log screens

Users have the possibility to connect their app with their partner’s app, so that when one books a date and invites the partner, the other one gets an invitation notification and after accepting, the date is saved on both profiles. This way, both partner have control over the booking and can easily access the details.

Users have the possibility to connect their app with their partner’s app, so that when one books a date and invites the partner, the other one gets an invitation notification and after accepting, the date is saved on both profiles. This way, both partner have control over the booking and can easily access the details.

The swiping game

The swiping game

The swiping game

To further enrich the experience of using the app, I’ve created a simple game with date propositions for users who connected their app with their partner’s. Following Jakob’s Law, I wanted to ensure that users could intuitively use this function, so I’ve used a familiar Tinder-like interaction.

To further enrich the experience of using the app, I’ve created a simple game with date propositions for users who connected their app with their partner’s. Following Jakob’s Law, I wanted to ensure that users could intuitively use this function, so I’ve used a familiar Tinder-like interaction.

The Visuals

The Visuals

The Visuals

The logo

The logo

The logo

While designing the logo, I’ve focused on the playful character of the app. Dating is supposed to be fun and stress-free, thus the lines are round and the heart is chubby and plump. The name of the app relates to games like Treasure Hunt or Easter Egg Hunt, bringing a bit of a challenge and competition.

While designing the logo, I’ve focused on the playful character of the app. Dating is supposed to be fun and stress-free, thus the lines are round and the heart is chubby and plump. The name of the app relates to games like Treasure Hunt or Easter Egg Hunt, bringing a bit of a challenge and competition.

The illustrations

The illustrations

The illustrations

The illustrations are minimalistic, eye-catching, but not stealing the whole attention from the design. The flat color shapes match the style of the navigation bar icons.

The illustrations are minimalistic, eye-catching, but not stealing the whole attention from the design. The flat color shapes match the style of the navigation bar icons.

Behind The Scenes

Behind The Scenes

Behind The Scenes

Conducting User Research

Conducting User Research

Conducting User Research

To better understand the users’ process of choosing a date and their needs, I’ve conducted interviews with 10 participants. They were of different genders, ages (20 to around 40 years old) and sexual orientations. Most of them were in rather long relationships (more than 5 years).

I’ve created questions in order to learn about:

  • the frequency of dating and whether it is satisfactory for the participants

  • their experience and struggles with planning dates

  • suggestions on what features they would like to see in an app with date ideas

To better understand the users’ process of choosing a date and their needs, I’ve conducted interviews with 10 participants. They were of different genders, ages (20 to around 40 years old) and sexual orientations. Most of them were in rather long relationships (more than 5 years).

I’ve created questions in order to learn about:

  • the frequency of dating and whether it is satisfactory for the participants

  • their experience and struggles with planning dates

  • suggestions on what features they would like to see in an app with date ideas

My findings

My findings

My findings

Rarer than once a month

Once a month

More than once a week

60%

30%

10%

More than half of the participants date less than once a month. According to relationship expert Dr. Laura Berman, couples should go out on a date at least every two weeks in order to keep their relationship healthy.

I’ve also learned that 7 out of 10 people actually want to date more, however, they struggle to find a plan.

More than half of the participants date less than once a month. According to relationship expert Dr. Laura Berman, couples should go out on a date at least every two weeks in order to keep their relationship healthy.

I’ve also learned that 7 out of 10 people actually want to date more, however, they struggle to find a plan.

Another 70% of participants would love to have a bucket list of places to go to and things to do with their partner.

Another 70% of participants would love to have a bucket list of places to go to and things to do with their partner.

According to my interviews, the most important factors in planning a date are both reviews and price.

According to my interviews, the most important factors in planning a date are both reviews and price.

Potential pain points

Potential pain points

Potential pain points

Overwhelming Possibilities

Overwhelming Possibilities

New places open up on every corner every day. It is hard to find something for yourself out of all the possibilities. Even more so if partners find it hard to agree on one idea.

New places open up on every corner every day. It is hard to find something for yourself out of all the possibilities. Even more so if partners find it hard to agree on one idea.

Limited Resources

Limited Resources

Nowadays, most prices are flying, too high for many people. It is hard to find something fun to do without taking a huge bite out of your monthly income. Work, responsibilities, tiredness - all result in limited quality time with your partner.

Nowadays, most prices are flying, too high for many people. It is hard to find something fun to do without taking a huge bite out of your monthly income. Work, responsibilities, tiredness - all result in limited quality time with your partner.

Ideas scattered all around

Ideas scattered all around

Where to look for this perfect date? Instagram, TikTok, Google Map, a million pages with various ideas, friend recommendations- too many options can be discouraging for users.

Where to look for this perfect date? Instagram, TikTok, Google Map, a million pages with various ideas, friend recommendations- too many options can be discouraging for users.

Wireframes

Wireframes

Wireframes

The Prototype

The Prototype

The Prototype

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© Paulina Zygmuntowicz