The Deceptive Veil of Dating Apps
The Deceptive Veil of Dating Apps
The Deceptive Veil of Dating Apps
12 Weeks | UX/UI Design | 4 Members
12 Weeks | UX/UI Design | 4 Members
12 Weeks | UX/UI Design | 4 Members
My Role
My Role
I was involved in researching potential competitors and conducting interviews, drafting personas and designing low to high fidelity app from the findings.
I was involved in researching potential competitors and conducting interviews, drafting personas and designing low to high fidelity app from the findings.
I was involved in researching potential competitors and conducting interviews, drafting personas and designing low to high fidelity app from the findings.
Overview
Overview
This project aims to develop a technology-based solution to address the risks of catfishing and misrepresentation in online dating, focusing on enhancing user safety and authenticity.
This project aims to develop a technology-based solution to address the risks of catfishing and misrepresentation in online dating, focusing on enhancing user safety and authenticity.
This project aims to develop a technology-based solution to address the risks of catfishing and misrepresentation in online dating, focusing on enhancing user safety and authenticity.
40% ↓
Fake Profiles
Mandatory checks
reduce fraudulent
accounts
30% ↑
Trust
Enhanced
verification builds
confidence
10% ↓
Scams
A safer
platform
for all users
18% ↑
Match Rate
Better trust leads
to stronger
connections
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Online dating platforms struggle to maintain user trust due to the prevalence of catfishing and online scams, hindering safe and authentic interactions.
Online dating platforms struggle to maintain user trust due to the prevalence of catfishing and online scams, hindering safe and authentic interactions.
Current Market Leaders
Current Market Leaders
01
01
Bumble
Bumble
• Bumble requires photo verification.
• Users can still lie about other information.
• This can lead to misrepresentation and potential harm.
• Bumble requires photo verification.
• Users can still lie about other information.
• This can lead to misrepresentation and potential harm.
• Bumble requires photo verification.
• Users can still lie about other information.
• This can lead to misrepresentation and potential harm.
02
02
Hinge
Hinge
• Hinge uses detailed profiles to encourage genuine connections.
• Users might still misrepresent themselves through strategic responses.
• Verification for written prompts can lead to manipulation.
• Hinge uses detailed profiles to encourage genuine connections.
• Users might still misrepresent themselves through strategic responses.
• Verification for written prompts can lead to manipulation.
• Hinge uses detailed profiles to encourage genuine connections.
• Users might still misrepresent themselves through strategic responses.
• Verification for written prompts can lead to manipulation.
03
03
Tinder
Tinder
• Tinder uses AI to detect suspicious activity.
• Users can still engage in deceptive practices.
• Reliance on AI might not fully address trust issues.
• Users might hesitate to share personal information.
• Tinder uses AI to detect suspicious activity.
• Users can still engage in deceptive practices.
• Reliance on AI might not fully address trust issues.
• Users might hesitate to share personal information.
• Tinder uses AI to detect suspicious activity.
• Users can still engage in deceptive practices.
• Reliance on AI might not fully address trust issues.
• Users might hesitate to share personal information.
User Research Methods
User Research Methods
Interviews
8 adults
Interviews
8 adults
Observation
10 participants
Observation
10 participants
Affinity Diagramming
Analysis
Affinity
Diagramming
Insights from the User Research
• Participants experienced fake profiles and misrepresentation.
• Authenticity is crucial for trust and positive experiences.
• Profile information verification is important.
• External verification is used to validate profiles.
• Negative experiences deter users from using dating apps.
• Safety, efficiency, and genuine connections are key priorities.
• Existing verification features are insufficient.
• Mandatory and periodic re-verification is suggested.
• Mixed opinions on public social media linking; preference for verification badges.
• Participants experienced fake profiles and misrepresentation.
• Authenticity is crucial for trust and positive experiences.
• Profile information verification is important.
• External verification is used to validate profiles.
• Negative experiences deter users from using dating apps.
• Safety, efficiency, and genuine connections are key priorities.
• Existing verification features are insufficient.
• Mandatory and periodic re-verification is suggested.
• Mixed opinions on public social media linking; preference for verification badges.
User Persona 1
User Persona 1
Sara Gilbert
Sara Gilbert
23 | Female | Graduate Student
“Authenticity is magnetc for me. I would like to find someone who is the embodiment of what they say they are”
23 | Female | Graduate Student
“Authenticity is magnetc for me. I would like to find someone who is the embodiment of what they say they are”
23 | Female | Graduate Student
“Authenticity is magnetc for me. I would like to find someone who is the embodiment of what they say they are”
Bio
Bio
Sara, a graduate student, enjoys exploring new coffee shops
and discovering the city. She values meaningful conversations
and genuine connections.
Sara, a graduate student, enjoys exploring new coffee shops
and discovering the city. She values meaningful conversations
and genuine connections.
Sara, a graduate student, enjoys exploring new coffee shops
and discovering the city. She values meaningful conversations
and genuine connections.
Works & Needs
Works & Needs
Protect users from scams
Facilitate genuine connections while ensuring safety and security.
Protect users from scams
Facilitate genuine connections while ensuring safety and security.
Protect users from scams
Facilitate genuine connections while ensuring safety and security.
Frustrations
Frustrations
Hesitant to engage with others due to concerns about safety
and authenticity.
Hesitant to engage with others due to concerns about safety and authenticity.
Hesitant to engage with others due to concerns about safety
and authenticity.
User Persona 2
User Persona 2
Oliver Henz
Oliver Henz
28 | Male | Marketing Professional
“In a world of filters and facade, I’m seeking someone who’s real, raw and ready to build something genuine”
28 | Male | Marketing Professional
“In a world of filters and facade, I’m seeking someone who’s real, raw and ready to build something genuine”
28 | Male | Marketing Professional
“In a world of filters and facade, I’m seeking someone who’s real, raw and ready to build something genuine”
Bio
Bio
Oliver, a marketing professional, values authenticity and seeks to
foster a meaningful dating culture. He believes in transparency
and sincerity in interactions.
Oliver, a marketing professional, values authenticity and seeks to
foster a meaningful dating culture. He believes in transparency
and sincerity in interactions.
Oliver, a marketing professional, values authenticity and seeks to
foster a meaningful dating culture. He believes in transparency
and sincerity in interactions.
Works & Needs
Works & Needs
Seeking transparency and sincerity in relationships to build trust
and find a lasting connection.
Seeking transparency and sincerity in relationships to build trust
and find a lasting connection.
Seeking transparency and sincerity in relationships to build trust
and find a lasting connection.
Frustrations
Frustrations
Frustrated by the lack of verified profiles and the difficulty in
finding genuine connections, which undermines the credibility
of online dating.
Hesitant to engage with others due to concerns about safety and authenticity.
Frustrated by the lack of verified profiles and the difficulty in
finding genuine connections, which undermines the credibility
of online dating.
Actions
Awareness
Considerations
Register
Onboard
Loyalty
Thoughts
Feelings
Emotions
Sara discovers PureSync, an app focusing on authenticity, sparking excitement.
Eagerly sets up her profile on PureSync, highlighting her interests and desire for authentic interactions.
Navigates profiles on PureSync carefully, looking for tools to identify genuine individuals.
Matches with someone on PureSync who values transparency and safety, initiating meaningful conversations.
Decides to meet the match in person, feeling nervous but excited about the upcoming meeting.
Feels hopeful about the potential for genuine connections on the platform.
Emphasizes the importance of genuine connections in her profile setup.
Approaches profiles with curiosity and caution, seeking authenticity in potential matches.
Feels a mix of anxiety and hope, anticipating a genuine connection based on shared values.
Confident in the connection fostered through PureSync, expecting a genuine interaction offline.
Excited about the prospect of a dating app that prioritizes authenticity.
pen_spark
Hopeful and enthusiastic about the possibilities of meeting like-minded individuals.
Cautiously optimistic while exploring profiles, hoping to find meaningful connections.
Anxious yet hopeful about the potential for a meaningful relationship, excited about the developing connection.
Nervous yet excited about meeting in person, trusting in the connection established through the app.
🤞
🧐
😰
😟
🤩
Sara’s Journey map
Actions
Awareness
Considerations
Register
Onboard
Loyalty
Thoughts
Feelings
Emotions
Oliver uncovers PureSync, a romance network emphasizing honesty, igniting curiosity.
Oliver confidently and sincerely crafts a profile reflecting his values and intentions.
Thoughtfully explores profiles on PureSync, seeking individuals committed to authenticity.
Excitedly connects with someone on PureSync who aligns with his values, initiating sincere conversations.
Gratefully nurtures a relationship based on open communication and transparency, cherishing authenticity.
Feels determined to find authentic connections on the app due to his values.
Emphasizes transparency and sincerity in his profile setup, aiming for authenticity.
Engages in a discerning search for matches who share his values of transparency.
Feels relieved and excited to have found a match who values transparency.
Appreciates the genuine connection fostered by PureSync, values the authenticity in interactions.
Intrigued by the possibility of genuine interactions, frustrated with the lack of authenticity on other platforms.
Confident in showcasing his genuine self, hopeful about attracting like-minded individuals.
Determined to find genuine connections, impressed by the app's dedication to authenticity.
Eager to engage in meaningful conversations, hopeful about the potential for a genuine relationship.
Fulfilled by the sincere relationship, grateful for the platform's emphasis on authenticity and transparency.
😎
👊
🙏
😇
😤
Oliver’s Journey Map
Ideation & Prototyping
Ideation & Prototyping
User Flow
User Flow
Wireframe & Prototyping
Wireframe & Prototyping
The user flow was converted into wireframes, providing a visual guide for the app's layout and structure. These wireframes showed how each screen should look and how users would move through the app, ensuring an easy and intuitive experience.
The user flow was converted into wireframes, providing a visual guide for the app's layout and structure. These wireframes showed how each screen should look and how users would move through the app, ensuring an easy and intuitive experience.
The user flow was converted into wireframes, providing a visual guide for the app's layout and structure. These wireframes showed how each screen should look and how users would move through the app, ensuring an easy and intuitive experience.
Low Fidelity Prototype
Low Fidelity Prototype
Wireframes were created to visualize the app's layout and user flow.
Wireframes were created to visualize the app's layout and user flow.
Wireframes were created to visualize the app's layout and user flow.
User Testing Insights
User Testing Insights
• Conducted user testing on a mid-fidelity prototype.
• Tested account setup, finding matches, and setting expectations.
• Found the prototype to be intuitive and easy to navigate.
• Identified areas for improvement, including verification steps and hobby selection.
• Conducted user testing on a mid-fidelity prototype.
• Tested account setup, finding matches, and setting expectations.
• Found the prototype to be intuitive and easy to navigate.
• Identified areas for improvement, including verification steps and hobby selection.
• Conducted user testing on a mid-fidelity prototype.
• Tested account setup, finding matches, and setting expectations.
• Found the prototype to be intuitive and easy to navigate.
• Identified areas for improvement, including verification steps and hobby selection.
High Fidelity Prototype
High Fidelity Prototype
From our testing, we identified what changes needed to be applied and created a
Hi-fi prototype.
From our testing, we identified what changes needed to be applied and created a Hi-fi prototype.
From our testing, we identified what changes needed to be applied and created a
Hi-fi prototype.
Learnings & Impact
Learnings & Impact
User trust is paramount in online dating. Robust verification, including periodic re-verification, is crucial. Clear navigation, transparent authenticity features, and ongoing user feedback are essential for maintaining user trust and satisfaction.
Profile Authenticity: Expect a 40% reduction in fake profiles with mandatory checks.
Trust Increase: Trust will surge by 30% with enhanced verification.
Verification Participation: 70% user adoption anticipated for enhanced verification tools.
Match Rate: Match rate will experience an 18% momentum due to increased trust.
Safety-First Culture: A 10% decrease in scams is expected, fostering a safer user preeminence.
User trust is paramount in online dating. Robust verification, including periodic re-verification, is crucial. Clear navigation, transparent authenticity features, and ongoing user feedback are essential for maintaining user trust and satisfaction.
Profile Authenticity: Expect a 40% reduction in fake profiles with mandatory checks.
Trust Increase: Trust will surge by 30% with enhanced verification.
Verification Participation: 70% user adoption anticipated for enhanced verification tools.
Match Rate: Match rate will experience an 18% momentum due to increased trust.
Safety-First Culture: A 10% decrease in scams is expected, fostering a safer user preeminence.
User trust is paramount in online dating. Robust verification, including periodic re-verification, is crucial. Clear navigation, transparent authenticity features, and ongoing user feedback are essential for maintaining user trust and satisfaction.
Profile Authenticity: Expect a 40% reduction in fake profiles with mandatory checks.
Trust Increase: Trust will surge by 30% with enhanced verification.
Verification Participation: 70% user adoption anticipated for enhanced verification tools.
Match Rate: Match rate will experience an 18% momentum due to increased trust.
Safety-First Culture: A 10% decrease in scams is expected, fostering a safer user preeminence.
Get In Touch
Let’s make something people actually want to use! Feel free to contact me.
Get In Touch
Let’s make something people actually want to use! Feel free to contact me.
Insights from the User Research
Authenticity is crucial for trust and positive experiences.
Participants experienced fake profiles and misrepresentation.
Profile information verification is important.
Platform verification is considered but not fully trusted.
External verification is used to validate profiles.
Negative experiences deter users from using dating apps.
Safety, efficiency, and genuine connections are key priorities.
Existing verification features are insufficient.
Mandatory and periodic re-verification is suggested.
Mixed opinions on public social media linking; preference for verification badges.
Get In Touch
Let’s make something people actually want to use! Feel free to contact me.
Get In Touch
Let’s make something people actually want to use! Feel free to contact me.
