SoulMatch - Dating App Design
SoulMatch
Dating App Design
SoulMatch
Dating App Design
Designed a concept dating app that prioritizes meaningful connections over superficial swiping, using thoughtful profile questions, interest-based matching, and suggested real-world activities based on mutual interests.
Mobile App
Solo Project
February 2024
Challenge
Many dating apps rely on quick swiping and superficial profiles, making it difficult for users to express their personality or form meaningful connections.
Design Goal
Design a dating experience that helps users express who they are and connect through thoughtful onboarding and interest-based matching.
Outcome
Created an end-to-end concept backed by research that features a hi-fi prototype focused on values-based matching.
My Role
Solo UI /UX Designer. Led the entire design process from research to high-fidelity prototypes.
User Research
UX/UI
Prototyping
Wireframing
Usability Testing
Design Handoff
The Challenge
Many dating apps rely on quick swiping and superficial profiles, making it difficult for users to express their personality or form meaningful connections.
Design Goal
Design a dating experience that helps users express who they are and connect through thoughtful onboarding and interest-based matching.
Outcome
Created an end-to-end concept backed by research that features a hi-fi prototype focused on values-based matching.
My Role
Solo UI /UX Designer. Led the entire design process from research to high-fidelity prototypes.
UI Design
Prototyping
Persona Development
User Research
User Flow
Usability Testing
Key Differentiator
What Makes SoulMatch Different
What Makes SoulMatch Different
Deep Questions
Users answer thoughtful, values-based questions to build profiles rooted in who they really are, not just how they look.
Intentional Messaging
The app actively suggests shared interests during chats, like noticing you both love wine, turning small talk into real plans.
Curated Date Ideas
Based on mutual interests, the app generates personalized date ideas so couples move from screens to real-world connection.
Deep Questions
Users answer thoughtful, values-based questions to build profiles rooted in who they really are, not just how they look.
Intentional Messaging
The app actively suggests shared interests during chats, like noticing you both love wine, turning small talk into real plans.
Curated Date Ideas
Based on mutual interests, the app generates personalized date ideas so couples move from screens to real-world connection.
Deep Questions
Users answer thoughtful, values-based questions to build profiles rooted in who they really are, not just how they look.
Intentional Messaging
The app actively suggests shared interests during chats, like noticing you both love wine, turning small talk into real plans.
Curated Date Ideas
Based on mutual interests, the app generates personalized date ideas so couples move from screens to real-world connection.
Deep Questions
Users answer thoughtful, values-based questions to build profiles rooted in who they really are, not just how they look.
Intentional Messaging
The app actively suggests shared interests during chats, like noticing you both love wine, turning small talk into real plans.
Curated Date Ideas
Based on mutual interests, the app generates personalized date ideas so couples move from screens to real connection.
Research
Understanding the Users
Understanding the Users
User Interviews & Competitive Analysis
User Interviews & Competitive Analysis
To better understand modern dating behaviors, I researched how people feel about existing dating apps - what frustrates them, what they value, and what would motivate them to switch.
I conducted 6 in-person interviews with young professionals to explore how users form connections online and what features could support more intentional, trust-driven experiences.
To better understand modern dating behaviors, I researched how people feel about existing dating apps - what frustrates them, what they value, and what would motivate them to switch.
I conducted 6 in-person interviews with young professionals to explore how users form connections online and what features could support more intentional, trust-driven experiences.
To better understand modern dating behaviors, I researched how people feel about existing dating apps - what frustrates them, what they value, and what would motivate them to switch.
I conducted 6 in-person interviews with young professionals to explore how users form connections online and what features could support more intentional, trust-driven experiences.
To better understand modern dating behaviors, I researched how people feel about existing dating apps - what frustrates them, what they value, and what would motivate them to switch.
I conducted 6 in-person interviews with young professionals to explore how users form connections online and what features could support more intentional, trust-driven experiences.
📊 Competitor analysis:
Most dating apps fall into two groups: fast, casual platforms or highly niche communities.
Most dating apps fall into two groups: fast, casual platforms or highly niche communities.
SoulMatch sits in between - designed for committed relationships without excluding a broad audience, combining intentional matching with a more thoughtful experience.
Most dating apps fall into two groups: fast, casual platforms or highly niche communities.
SoulMatch sits in between - designed for committed relationships without excluding a broad audience, combining intentional matching with a more thoughtful experience.
SoulMatch sits in between - designed for committed relationships without excluding a broad audience, combining intentional matching with a more thoughtful experience.
Most dating apps fall into two groups: fast, casual platforms or highly niche communities.
SoulMatch sits in between - designed for committed relationships without excluding a broad audience, combining intentional matching with a more thoughtful experience.
Most dating apps fall into two groups: fast, casual platforms or highly niche communities.
SoulMatch sits in between - designed for committed relationships without excluding a broad audience, combining intentional matching with a more thoughtful experience.
To better understand modern dating behaviors, I researched how people feel about existing dating apps - what frustrates them, what they value, and what would motivate them to switch.
I conducted 6 in-person interviews with young professionals to explore how users form connections online and what features could support more intentional, trust-driven experiences.
📊 Competitor analysis:
Most dating apps fall into two groups: fast, casual platforms or highly niche communities.
SoulMatch sits in between - designed for committed relationships without excluding a broad audience, combining intentional matching with a more thoughtful experience.
Core Insights:
78%
Want deeper connections
Users expressed frustration with superficial interactions and desire more meaningful ways to connect.
65%
Find onboarding tedious
Many users abandon apps during boring onboarding processes that feel like filling out forms.
"In a world full of endless options, all I’m searching for is a real connection."
"In a world full of endless options, all I’m searching for is a real connection."
"In a world full of endless options, all I’m searching for is a real connection."
"In a world full of endless options, all I’m searching for is a real connection."
User Persona
User Persona
Based on research findings, I created a primary persona to guide design decisions and ensure the app meets real user needs and created an empathy map to deeply understand our persona’s thoughts, feelings, and motivations when using dating apps.
Ideation
From Insights to Ideas
From Insights to Ideas
User Flow
Created a comprehensive user flow mapping the journey from app download through onboarding to first match, identifying key decision points and potential friction areas.
User Flow
Created a comprehensive user flow mapping the journey from app download through onboarding to first match, identifying key decision points and potential friction areas.
Sketching & Ideation
Sketching & Ideation
Started with rough sketches to quickly explore different UI concepts and interaction patterns before committing to digital wireframes.
SoulMatch begins with intentional onboarding, where users answer meaningful questions to define their values and relationship goals.
From there, users can explore curated matches, send thoughtful messages, and discover personalized date ideas based on shared interests—creating a clear path from intent to action.
Wireframes
Wireframes
Developed low-fidelity wireframes to establish the information hierarchy, layout structure, and core interaction patterns before adding visual design.
Design & iterate
Testing & Refinement
Testing & Refinement
Iteration 1: Onboarding Questions
Iteration 1: Onboarding Questions
Initial testing revealed that users found the text-based question format boring and tedious. I reimagined the experience using swipeable cards with playful illustrations.
Key Changes:
• Replaced text lists with visual, swipeable cards
• Added playful illustrations to make choices feel fun
BEFORE
Text-only list
AFTER
Visual, swipeable cards
BEFORE
Text-based list
AFTER
Visual, swipeable cards
Iteration 2: Interest Selection
Iteration 2: Interest Selection
The initial interest selection screen felt overwhelming with too many small tags. I redesigned it with larger, more visual category cards that feel easier to scan and select.
BEFORE
Generic interest list
AFTER
Icon-led, customizable interests
BEFORE
Generic interest list
AFTER
Icon-led interests
high-fidelity prototype
Final Design
Final Design
I designed a high-fidelity prototype to fully bring the SoulMatch experience to life. UI elements such as typography, color, spacing, and iconography were refined to align with the brand’s tone — modern, warm, and welcoming.
I designed a high-fidelity prototype to fully bring the SoulMatch experience to life.
UI elements such as typography, color, spacing, and iconography were refined to align with the brand’s tone - modern, warm, and welcoming - while ensuring clarity and usability across the interface.
I designed a high-fidelity prototype to fully bring the SoulMatch experience to life. UI elements such as typography, color, spacing, and iconography were refined to align with the brand’s tone — modern, warm, and welcoming.
Onboarding Screens
Onboarding Screens
Onboarding Screens
Main Screens
Main Screens
Main Screens
Reflection
What I Learned
What I Learned
This project reinforced my belief that great design comes from deeply understanding users and iterating based on real feedback. Every assumption should be tested.
#1
Gamification transforms mundane tasks into engaging experiences
#2
Visual design choices significantly impact user behavior and completion rates
#3
Early and frequent testing catches issues before they become costly to fix
#1
Gamification transforms mundane tasks into engaging experiences
#2
Visual design choices significantly impact user behavior and completion rates
#3
Early and frequent testing catches issues before they become costly to fix
#1
Gamification transforms mundane tasks into engaging experiences
#2
Visual design choices significantly impact user behavior and completion rates
#3
Early and frequent testing catches issues before they become costly to fix
“This project taught me that designing for emotional experiences requires extra care and empathy. When people are looking for love, every interaction matters. I’m proud of creating something that makes that journey a little more joyful.”
“This project taught me that designing for emotional experiences requires extra care and empathy. When people are looking for love, every interaction matters. I’m proud of creating something that makes that journey a little more joyful.”
“This project taught me that designing for emotional experiences requires extra care and empathy. When people are looking for love, every interaction matters. I’m proud of creating something that makes that journey a little more joyful.”
