UX | UI | Research | Concept
Presented at SXSW Interactive 2018
THE PROBLEM:
Online dating is typically a rather shallow experience based on quickly judging user profile photos. This emphasis on “aesthetic” driven matches causes problems for users seeking more meaningful connections, and is especially difficult for single parents who already battle negative stereotypes.
THE SOLUTION:
To address these two challenges, Blended solely caters to single parents and creates a safe space and a commonality for its users. The profile image system uses a child’s portrait of their parent so potential partners are able to cultivate more genuine connections through reading full profiles.
IDENTITY
COLOR PALETTE + TYPE
A soft twist on primary colors, and typography was selected to reinforce the playfulness of the design. Comfortaa was used for headlines and navigation, while Ubuntu was selected for its readability for smaller text.
“The most difficult part of dating as a single parent is deciding how much risk your own child's heart is worth.”
- DAN PEARCE
DEMOGRAPHICS + RESEARCH
Blended encourages parents with younger children — ages 0–13 years — to become the primary users. Further research also suggested that the design should reference more feminine and family-oriented audiences.
PROCESS
DISCOVERY
User testing led to rethinking multiple features within the app including the timer feature on the profile drawing screen (barrier for entry), organization of user information on the bio pages, and more. Peer A/B testing contributed to refining the interface.
PROTOTYPE VIDEO
Innovation Labs is an exhibition opportunity for student researchers to represent Texas State University at alumni events and SXSW. Under the supervision of the faculty advisor, Hannah Park, the Communication Design program joined together to create HEX Design. HEX Design aimed to solve intra-personal issues through design for two topics: dating and healthcare aid. You can read about our experience preparing for this event here.
