WingMate is a dating app that connects you with friends of your friends, reviving the art of OG matchmaking. With WingMate you can swipe through potential matches, message them, suggest matches for your friend, and even write recommendations to appear on your friends profiles!
Goal
While online dating is convenient, many still struggle to make meaningful connections. Traditionally, people relied on friends and family for introductions, which built trust. I created WingMate to explore how I can replicate personal matchmaking in the digital dating landscape.
How do people feel about current dating apps on the market?
I wanted WingMate to stand out in the over saturated dating app market so I examined its biggest competitors. The main area of opportunity I saw was that there isn’t a product that focuses on mutual friends yet and current apps don’t have features where people can advocate for friends. The competitive analysis not only helped me decide my niche but also inspired a lot of valuable ideas.
To gain insights into why people use dating apps, the features they want, and their opinions on branding, I conducted four interviews and administered a survey that received 12 responses. Many participants shared fascinating stories about their dating experiences and expressed how a platform like WingMate could be beneficial. The feedback I received furthered my inkling that dating and finding a relationship is one of the most important things to people and that there is a place for something like WingMate.
What do dating app users need?
What will WingMate offer?
I created a site map and feature roadmap to identify key areas and user actions for the app. Since it focuses on connections through friends, I proposed a feature for users to write positive reviews about their friends for matches. My competitive analysis helped highlight unique features that would set WingMate apart from other dating apps.
I then developed task and user flows to visualize navigation within the app. Feedback from my interviews highlighted that simple navigation was a top priority for users so I made sure to keep that in focus during the design process.
What would this fun, new dating app look like?
I aimed for a vibrant color palette, a catchy name, and modern typography, all while prioritizing accessibility and simplicity. Recognizing that popular dating apps like Bumble use bright yellow and Hinge, a classic black-and-white monochromatic style, I wanted to develop a memorable visual identity that users could recognize after just one glance.
Would people looking for a relationship use WingMate?
The purpose of WingMate is to connect users with friends of friends, so its success relies on user engagement. After finalizing a solid design and prototype, I conducted usability tests to gather feedback from dating app users seeking a fresh experience. Eighteen participants completed four tasks: signing up for an account, adding a friend, sending a wink, and writing a stamp of approval.
I implemented a few changes I was recommended based on the usability test feedback. Here are 2 examples of changes.
The purpose of WingMate
The primary goal of WingMate is to foster meaningful connections through mutual friends. My design includes a user-friendly interface that retains recognizable features from popular dating apps while introducing unique elements like friend endorsements and recommendations. Usability testing confirmed that the app successfully achieves this goal, offering an exciting and innovative approach to online dating that pays homage to traditional matchmaking.
Say hello to Amy and Wyatt, two new WingMate users. Amy just moved to New York and is eager to make friends, whether romantic or platonic. She's excited about exploring her new city with a local who can show her all the hidden gems. On the other hand, Wyatt is a more seasoned dater joining WingMate to explore his sexuality. A bartender in the city, Wyatt is quite popular, and he believes his extensive network will lead to plenty of matches on WingMate. Understanding the different motivations for people to join WingMate helped me narrow down my vision for the product.
I had a clear vision of the visual design from the inception of the app. Users I spoke with emphasized that they appreciate the familiar design and layout of dating apps, allowing them to easily navigate new platforms. I took this feedback and opted for a simple and recognizable layout while getting creative with the app's aesthetic. The words that resonated with me for the brand identity were sleek, inviting, bold, enjoyable
