Tinu Thomas

User Experience Designer

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Date Planning Service Design

Why we created Flrt

A digital space committed to nurturing romantic connections while encouraging safety practices during this time of tenuous public health

Defining what Flrt is

• Not a matching service �
• Judgement-free and secured private interaction�
• Prioritization of fun in a romantic setting

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• Face-to-face connection takes precedence

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• Lasting user relationship regardless of current dating landscape

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Product Principles

How we created Flrt

Flrting with our research : Remote Interviews

What we wanted to learn?

• How dating has changed during the pandemic
• Understanding the psychological burden of remote dating
• Tools people use to improve their dating life

Who we interviewed?

• People in committed relationships
• People starting a new relationship
• People struggling to maintain their relationships

Hitting it off with our findings

People appreciate unique and thoughtful dates. Cost is less important

They enjoy the presence of their partners

Appreciate equal effort in planning dates and showing affection

If they’re going out on a date, they’re want to ensure they are staying safe

They want to grow and nourish a new connection

It is important to feel cared for and listened to with a partner

People want a space to open up to a new romantic partner

They want a space to have private romantic conversations

Getting serious with our users

Checking out our competitors

Competitive Analysis

Brands we looked at

Happily

Houseparty

Teleparty

Discord

Competitive Analysis

Overview

Competitive Analysis Findings

Labels and Content were lacking

• Different platforms want their own controlled vocabulary. This can lead to non-intuitive labels and links. �
• Many collaborative apps don’t have a specific audience or mission; it is difficult to tell if their content aligns with the brand’s goals and values

I know that I can subscribe to a date-box but I do not know the contents of the box

Competitive Analysis Findings

A smaller number of features leads to better organization

• With our proposal of more features, we will have to focus on avoiding an overwhelming interface

Happily does a good job at ensuring a clear navigation for all its offerings

Competitive Analysis Findings

Even sparse navigation needs to be clear

• There aren’t many states to most of these apps. Our system would have a more complex navigation, and will probably require a card sort activity

Teleparty has a short list of features, but can still be confusing.

Creating the content map

What makes Flrt unique

Proposed Features

• Date night generator
• Include Crowd sourced ideas�
• Secure video and messaging features
• Identity verification�
• In-App activities
• Game night
• Movie night
• Conversation starters/ice breakers�
• COVID test status and state advisories

Designed Features

• Secure video and messaging features
• Identity verification
• Self-Destruct messages
• Ban on Screenshot�
• In-App activities
• Conversation starters/ice breakers�
• Date night planner
• Kits for romantic nights in
• Compilation of outdoor date venues�
• Community builder
• Open-forum blog for dating during the pandemic

Let’s get sketching

Homepage

Plan a date

Hangout

Ice Breakers

Blog

Testing with our users

Creating the testing plan

• 3 participants
• Moderated user testing
• 4 Scenarios:
• Planning a date with a live-in partner
• Planning an outdoor date
• Hanging out with ice breakers
• Learning about the pandemic dating experience

Learning from our mistakes

• Text describing hangout activities in the ‘plan date’ section was unclear. Users were unable to differentiate it from date activities.�
• Date kits should focus on consumables (for example, shipping someone a tent for indoor camping isn’t a good idea; shipping a campfire candle and marshmallows is) �
• The hangout video feed was a little difficult to understand

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• Users felt that there should have been an option to create a blog article from the main blog section

Flrt Branding

Visual Design System

Color Palette

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Font�FreightNeo

Grid�6 Columns: 283 px�Gutters: 16px �Margins: 71px

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#0093AF

#FDCF51

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#707070

#623030

#F3BBBC

Content Strategy

Positioning

Flrt is an app for nurturing relationships that allows people to develop intimacy and maintain romantic connections. It caters to single and committed people and emphasizes first-hand communication.

Tone¹

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Formal

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Warm

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Inspirational

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Humorous

Informal

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Detached

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Practical

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Serious

1 Acrolinx, Watch Your Tone! (2014) Chapter 3

The final look

https://xd.adobe.com/view/e6003be6-bed9-4ebf-91d4-bfaeaaee8baf-b353/

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Thank you!

Appendix 1: Competitive Analysis Matrix

Appendix 2: User interviews

• What is your relationship status? Are you looking to change this?
• What is your dating experience before quarantine? What frustrations did you encounter?
• What has changed since quarantine? What aspects of dating do you miss? Which are you glad to see go?
• When planning dates, do you find yourself doing it, the other person, or is it a combined effort? How do you feel about that dynamic?
• What’s your favorite date activity, regardless of a pandemic?

Single Users

• Are you using a dating application? Why or why not/how is that going?
• How have your efforts changed? Are you finding new people to talk to, or trying to maintain a connection?
• How do you feel about remote dates?
• Have you considered breaking safety protocols to meet someone in person?

Committed Users

• Do you see your partner regularly (or live with them)? How often?
• Do you feel like lockdown has changed the way you interact?
• How have your efforts changed when it comes to planning dates or going out?
• What has improved about your relationship since quarantine?
• What has devolved since quarantine?
• Have you considered breaking safety protocols to meet someone in person?

Appendix 3a: Usability Testing (Intro)

Hi _________, my name is ____________. Thanks for taking time to help us test our mockups today. We are creating a digital space for nurturing existing romantic connections, and would like to walk through this prototype with you and get your opinions. We will be taking notes while you interact with this prototype, but this session will not be recorded and the notes will only be shared between those involved in iterating on this project.

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Go ahead and click around for a little bit. What do you think this application is for? What do you think you can do with it?

• Are these screens engaging?¹
• Is the information clear?
• What works/doesn’t work?

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Next, I’d like to present you with 4 tasks. For each task, try to use the prototype to complete it. Do what feels natural to you, and feel free to think out loud. All details are helpful, so please elaborate on your thought process wherever you can. You can click on the screen to see which sections are clickable.

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1 Text in grey was only said if the user didn’t answer this question organically

Appendix 3b: Usability Testing (Tasks)

Scenario 1: Planning an indoor date (paint and sip)

You and your partner live together in a region where most establishments are temporarily closed. You want to recreate one of your favorite date nights, a paint and sip. Use the application to plan a paint and sip date night in your home.

• How easy or difficult did you find this task?
• Was the content clear and informative?
• Was this task engaging? How did it make you feel?
• If you had to change something, what would you change?
• Would you see yourself using this feature (if you were in the right situation?)

Scenario 2: Planning an outdoor date (romantic spots)

You and your partner live apart, and you both have roommates. To keep everyone safe, you’ve decided to meet up for an outdoor date. Use the application to help you plan a romantic evening outdoors.

• How easy or difficult did you find this task?
• Was the content clear and informative?
• Was this task engaging? How did it make you feel?
• If you had to change something, what would you change?
• Would you see yourself using this feature (if you were in the right situation?)

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Appendix 3c: Usability Testing (Tasks cont.)

Scenario 3: Playing an ice breaker game (hangout)

You just made a new connection on Hinge. Talking is fun, but you think it’s time to meet face to face. However, your partner is in an at-risk population and would rather meet online first. Use the application to try an ice breaker activity with your new connection.

• Do you feel safe doing this activity?
• How easy or difficult did you find this task?
• Was the content clear and informative?
• Was this task engaging? How did it make you feel?
• If you had to change something, what would you change?
• Would you see yourself using this feature (if you were in the right situation?)

Scenario 4: Read about other peoples’ experiences (blog)

You’re curious about how other people are dealing with dating during the pandemic. Use the application to find community posts about dating and romantic experiences.

• Is this a topic that interests you?
• How easy or difficult did you find this task?
• Was the content clear and informative?
• Was this task engaging? How did it make you feel?
• If you had to change something, what would you change?
• Would you see yourself using this feature (if you were in the right situation?)

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Appendix 3d: User Testing (Conclusion)

What are your overall impressions of Flrt now that you’ve done all these tasks?

Would you use Flrt or recommend it to others?

Do you wish there was something added/removed from the application?

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Thank you so much for taking the time to do this usability testing with me. Your insight will help us make improvements to Flirt. Do you have any additional comments or questions? If you think of anything else, feel free to reach out to me. Thanks again and I’ll talk to you soon!

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