Enhanced features such as viewing profiles in advance, applying advanced filters, and sending additional flowers offer deeper insights and connection potential. The user flow was meticulously designed with embedded conversion points:

In crafting Vibely's unique appeal, a pivotal decision was the introduction of a streamlined digital map showcasing nearby users through avatars. This innovative feature was designed to set Vibely apart from traditional dating apps, offering a fresh perspective on user interaction within their local environment. Complementing this, we integrated notifications alerting users when a match was within a half-mile radius, injecting a sense of immediacy and thrill into potential meetings.

Throughout the design process, I connected with users to gather their thoughts on the nascent Vibely feature. Hannah (pseudonym, the same below), one of the users I matched with, shared her excitement about the feature, her messages brimming with enthusiasm for the real-time map concept. "Seeing who's nearby feels like a fresh twist to online dating. It makes connections feel more tangible," she wrote.

Despite the positive reception, it became clear that the visualization of users' avatars based on proximity wasn't as intuitive as expected. To address this, I refined the user interface by incorporating a dynamic loading animation and a more prominent display of distances on the main map view. These enhancements aimed to clarify the spatial relationship between users.

The dialogue on proximity alerts took an interesting turn during a chat with another user, Alex. He remarked, "Getting a ping when a potential match is just around the corner might be the spontaneity we need! 🤔" capturing the essence of excitement the notification feature could bring.

It was my chat with Matt that introduced a critical perspective on one of Vibely's engagement mechanisms. Matt, striking me with his thoughtful and detailed messages, expressed concerns about the initial requirement of exchanging 20 messages to establish a match. "I tend to write longer, more meaningful messages," he explained, "and reaching a 20-message threshold in just 5 minutes feels a bit daunting. It might discourage deeper conversations from the get-go."

To further enrich the user experience and boost engagement, I looked to Duolingo for inspiration and introduced interactive widgets and timely notifications. These widgets dynamically adapt, reflecting the vibe of nearby users and the time of day, creating a more personalized and responsive ecosystem.

The addition of an optional tagline input came directly from user feedback. Raquel, another tester, suggested, "It'd be cool to have a bit of text, something fun or quirky that shows what I'm about or what I'm looking for." This feature allowed users to express their intentions or mood beyond just the avatar, adding depth to their digital presence. This switch from real names to aliases was another pivotal change informed by user feedback. "I like the idea of a bit of mystery, using an alias makes it feel safer and more intriguing."

The onboarding experience was also revamped. Initially, some users like Linxi struggled to grasp the full breadth of Vibely's capabilities without guidance. This led to the introduction of onboarding screens that succinctly communicated the feature's essence and how to navigate it.

The concept of sending flowers as a gesture of interest was born out of the playful scenario I set for the user flow where a hypothecital character Kay sets her avatar holding a bouquet in her hands meets Allison and asked her out. Mason, who mused, "What if I actually could send those flowers I'm holding in my avatar?" This idea resonated with me and presented a novel conversion point. I iterated on this, integrating a feature that allowed users to send virtual flowers to one another, adding a layer of interaction and potential for engagement.

Designing Across Platforms

The evolution of Vibely's design was driven by a commitment to transcend the superficial engagement often found in the fast-paced realm of swipe-based dating apps. This helps to introduce a layer of authenticity and connection missing in modern digital interactions. Transitioning from a conventional map to a more abstract, user-friendly layout, the goal was to simplify the digital landscape, creating a space that feels welcoming and easy to explore. The main interaction paradigm of the 5-minute chat was a deliberate effort to infuse real-time excitement and promptness into user interactions, encouraging meaningful exchanges that go beyond surface-level connections.

Diving into the Vibely voyage has been nothing short of an adventure. I was able to apply what I learnt about design systems and design principles into practice while having fun exploring the interaction paradigms of dating apps.

Leveraging Design Systems

Reflecting on the use of Uber's Base design system, the well-defined color system was a significant time-saver, streamlining the design process and ensuring visual consistency. However, the lack of icons within Base posed a challenge. I ended up using Google Material Symbols to fill the gap.Furthermore, merging Base's elements with the Bumble interface proved difficult, necessitating numerous customizations to align with Bumble's overall aesthetic. This experience highlighted the balance between leveraging a design system for efficiency and the need for adaptability in integrating it with existing interfaces.

The Magic of Microinteractions

Oh, the thrill of sprinkling a little magic of microinteractions into Vibely! There were numerous instances where I found myself switching between the subtle magic of 'smart-animate' and the gentle glide of 'slide-in', all in the quest for that perfectly smooth user experience. And then there was the charming moment when a tiny car made its way from a quaint green palace to a more majestic red one, a clever way to invite users to explore the premium side of things. It was like a friendly nudge, "Shall we venture further?"

The challenge of asking users to share their location or perhaps invest a bit more in a new feature could easily have been a point of contention. Yet, by weaving in these microinteractions, what might have been a moment of hesitation became an engaging, almost playful, interaction. It was a gentle reminder that even the smallest of touches can make the digital experience a lot more inviting.

Dancing with the Competitors

Venturing into design without peeking at the competition felt like tightrope walking without a net — thrilling yet daunting. I took the road less traveled by saving the part of the competitive analysis for later. This strategy paid off, keeping my creative wells unpolluted. When I finally scoped out the scene (hello, Badoo and your mood-based matching!), it was with a treasure trove of original ideas in hand. This approach of ideation before investigation is one I'd take away for future projects.

A Lesson in Listening

The allure of a real map feature was almost irresistible! As a habitual "yes" person to app permissions, I initially underestimated the privacy red flags. But, a chat with seasoned Bumble bees taught me a valuable lesson: privacy is paramount (turns out, 3 out of 4 users echo this sentiment). This epiphany led to a creative pivot in how the map was presented, underscoring the golden rule: user feedback is the north star that guides the journey of innovation. A callback to last semester's semi-autonomous vehicle interaction design reflection on involving the user at earlier stages - embracing user insights at every twist was pivotal in molding Vibely into a feature that truly goes belonged.