Mackinaw
Mackinaw is a video-based dating app designed to create more authentic connections through real-time interactions. The goal of this project was to design an MVP from the ground up, starting with UX research to understand user needs and behaviors, followed by defining user flows, creating wireframes, and establishing the visual identity. A design system was developed to ensure consistency, leading to the creation of a high-fidelity prototype that simulated the full user experience. Finally, detailed documentation was prepared to facilitate a smooth handoff to development.
Role
UX Researcher, UX/UI Designer
UX Researcher, UX/UI Designer
Industry
Dating Apps
Dating Apps
Stage 1: Requirements Gathering
The first stage focused on understanding user needs and defining the core functionality of Mackinaw. Through UX research, key insights were gathered about dating app users' preferences, behaviors, and pain points, particularly in video-based interactions. Competitive analysis and stakeholder discussions helped outline essential features, ensuring the app would provide a unique and engaging experience. This stage established the foundation for the MVP, aligning the project’s goals with both user expectations and business objectives.
Stage 2: Identify user personas and benchmark
To ensure a user-centered design, key user personas were identified based on research insights, representing different dating behaviors and preferences. A competitive benchmark was conducted to analyze existing video-based dating apps, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to differentiate Mackinaw. This analysis helped define unique value propositions and refine the app’s approach to matchmaking and engagement.
Stage 3: Feature Prioritization & Sitemap
With research insights in place, the essential features for the MVP were prioritized, balancing user needs with business goals and technical feasibility. A sitemap was created to define the app’s structure, ensuring seamless navigation and a clear hierarchy of functionalities. This step was crucial in organizing content and interactions before moving into detailed user flows.
Stage 4: User Flows & Wireframes
The core user flows were designed to map out interactions, ensuring a frictionless journey from onboarding to matchmaking and video-based communication. These flows were translated into wireframes, outlining the skeletal framework of the app’s interface. This step focused on usability and interaction logic before incorporating visual elements.
Stage 5: Look & Feel Definition
To establish the app’s visual identity, two distinct style proposals were created, each with unique color palettes, typography, icon styles, and illustrations. The client selected the option that best captured the desired mood and brand personality, ensuring a consistent and engaging user experience.
Stage 6: Design System and UI Design
A comprehensive design system was built to maintain consistency across the app. This included UI components, typography guidelines, button styles, iconography, and color schemes, ensuring scalability and an efficient design-to-development process. With the design system in place, high-fidelity UI screens were created, incorporating the chosen look and feel. The interface was designed to be modern, intuitive, and visually engaging, enhancing user interactions while maintaining clarity and usability.
Stage 8: Interactive Prototype
An interactive prototype was developed to simulate the app’s user experience, allowing stakeholders to test interactions and provide feedback before development. This prototype helped refine micro-interactions, animations, and navigation to ensure a seamless experience.
Prototype
Key Takeaways
This project demonstrated the importance of thorough initial planning and continuous stakeholder collaboration in creating a successful online educational platform. By clearly understanding the client's requirements and maintaining open lines of communication, the team was able to deliver a product that met and exceeded expectations. The iterative design process, with regular feedback and refinements, ensured a visually appealing and user-friendly experience. Attention to detail in the development and post-launch phases guaranteed a smooth and reliable platform. Ultimately, this project highlighted the value of integrating custom design elements and AI-generated content to enhance user engagement and satisfaction.
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Let's talk!
Don't hesitate to contact me for initiating unique projects, shaping concepts, challenging my endeavors, or discussing potential job prospects.
Let's talk!
Don't hesitate to contact me for initiating unique projects, shaping concepts, challenging my endeavors, or discussing potential job prospects.
Let's talk!
Don't hesitate to contact me for initiating unique projects, shaping concepts, challenging my endeavors, or discussing potential job prospects.
Let's talk!
Don't hesitate to contact me for initiating unique projects, shaping concepts, challenging my endeavors, or discussing potential job prospects.
Mackinaw
Mackinaw is a video-based dating app designed to create more authentic connections through real-time interactions. The goal of this project was to design an MVP from the ground up, starting with UX research to understand user needs and behaviors, followed by defining user flows, creating wireframes, and establishing the visual identity. A design system was developed to ensure consistency, leading to the creation of a high-fidelity prototype that simulated the full user experience. Finally, detailed documentation was prepared to facilitate a smooth handoff to development.
Role
UX Researcher, UX/UI Designer
Industry
Dating Apps
Stage 1: Requirements Gathering
The first stage focused on understanding user needs and defining the core functionality of Mackinaw. Through UX research, key insights were gathered about dating app users' preferences, behaviors, and pain points, particularly in video-based interactions. Competitive analysis and stakeholder discussions helped outline essential features, ensuring the app would provide a unique and engaging experience. This stage established the foundation for the MVP, aligning the project’s goals with both user expectations and business objectives.
Stage 2: Identify user personas and benchmark
To ensure a user-centered design, key user personas were identified based on research insights, representing different dating behaviors and preferences. A competitive benchmark was conducted to analyze existing video-based dating apps, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to differentiate Mackinaw. This analysis helped define unique value propositions and refine the app’s approach to matchmaking and engagement.
Stage 3: Feature Prioritization & Sitemap
With research insights in place, the essential features for the MVP were prioritized, balancing user needs with business goals and technical feasibility. A sitemap was created to define the app’s structure, ensuring seamless navigation and a clear hierarchy of functionalities. This step was crucial in organizing content and interactions before moving into detailed user flows.
Stage 4: User Flows & Wireframes
The core user flows were designed to map out interactions, ensuring a frictionless journey from onboarding to matchmaking and video-based communication. These flows were translated into wireframes, outlining the skeletal framework of the app’s interface. This step focused on usability and interaction logic before incorporating visual elements.
Stage 5: Look & Feel Definition
To establish the app’s visual identity, two distinct style proposals were created, each with unique color palettes, typography, icon styles, and illustrations. The client selected the option that best captured the desired mood and brand personality, ensuring a consistent and engaging user experience.
Stage 6: Design System and UI Design
A comprehensive design system was built to maintain consistency across the app. This included UI components, typography guidelines, button styles, iconography, and color schemes, ensuring scalability and an efficient design-to-development process. With the design system in place, high-fidelity UI screens were created, incorporating the chosen look and feel. The interface was designed to be modern, intuitive, and visually engaging, enhancing user interactions while maintaining clarity and usability.
Stage 8: Interactive Prototype
An interactive prototype was developed to simulate the app’s user experience, allowing stakeholders to test interactions and provide feedback before development. This prototype helped refine micro-interactions, animations, and navigation to ensure a seamless experience.
Prototype
Key Takeaways
This project demonstrated the importance of thorough initial planning and continuous stakeholder collaboration in creating a successful online educational platform. By clearly understanding the client's requirements and maintaining open lines of communication, the team was able to deliver a product that met and exceeded expectations. The iterative design process, with regular feedback and refinements, ensured a visually appealing and user-friendly experience. Attention to detail in the development and post-launch phases guaranteed a smooth and reliable platform. Ultimately, this project highlighted the value of integrating custom design elements and AI-generated content to enhance user engagement and satisfaction.