Cupid Corgi

Connecting Hearts and Wallets:
Is It Possible to Redesign Dating Apps for Singles While Supporting Business Profits?

Connecting Hearts and Wallets: Is It Possible to Redesign Dating Apps for Singles While Supporting Business Profits?

Role

UX Designer and Researcher

Timeline

October - December 2022 (9 Weeks)

Project Type

BrainStation UX Design Diploma's Individual Capstone Project

Role

UX Designer and Researcher

Timeline

October - December 2022 (9 Weeks)

Project Type

BrainStation UX Design Diploma's Individual Capstone Project

Role

UX Designer and Researcher

Timeline

October - December 2022 (9 Weeks)

Project Type

BrainStation UX Design Diploma's Individual Capstone Project

1

Context

2

Discovery

3

Ideate

4

Testing

5

Solution

6

Impact

7

Reflection

1

Context

2

Discovery

3

Ideate

4

Testing

5

Solution

6

Impact

7

Reflection

Context

With Each Swipe, Online Dating Has Taken The Wrong Turn…

Context

With Each Swipe, Online Dating Has Taken The Wrong Turn…

Context

With Each Swipe, Online Dating Has Taken The Wrong Turn…

The desire for deep emotional connections has never been greater, especially in our fast-paced society.

Yet, despite many dating solutions, countless singles still express loneliness and dissatisfaction. A quick scroll through Reddit reveals a pattern of struggles and heartaches, illustrating a profound truth:

Many dating apps, relying on users' subscriptions for profit, want people to remain single and stay on the apps as long as possible. Just as big pharmaceutical companies profit from illness, many dating apps thrive on the loneliness they claim to alleviate.

Many dating apps, relying on users' subscriptions for profit, want people to remain single and stay on the apps as long as possible. Just as big pharmaceutical companies profit from illness, many dating apps thrive on the loneliness they claim to alleviate.

On the other hand, as someone with a business background, I recognize that these platforms are ultimately businesses and need to make money to survive. This raises an important question:

How can a dating app be redesigned to create a win-win solution for online daters and businesses?

How can a dating app be redesigned to create a win-win solution for online daters and businesses?

Discovery

Death By a Thousand Paper Cuts

Discovery

Death By a Thousand Paper Cuts

Discovery

Death By a Thousand Paper Cuts

To uncover the real experience of swiping left and right,  I interviewed and surveyed users aged 18-30, the core demographic of online dating. 

Predictable Path

Once two singles swipe and match, their journey often follows a predictable path:

Break the Ice

Build Connection

Request a Date

Decline/ Accept

First Date/ Part Ways

Break the Ice

Build Connection

Request a Date

Decline/ Accept

First Date/ Part Ways

Break the Ice

Build Connection

Request a Date

Decline/ Accept

First Date/ Part Ways

The Dark Side Behind the Predictable Path

At first glance, the path from match to connection appears straightforward.

However, hidden within this journey are crucial micro-interactions—small but significant moments—that can: lead to frustration, misunderstandings, or even the end of a connection that could have ended in a happy and lasting relationship. It's a classic case of “death by a thousand paper cuts.”

Common frustrations include:

Break the Ice

Build Connection

🚩Fear of Rejection: Balancing the desire to deepen connections with the anxiety of asking for a date can create hesitation. On the other hand, taking too long to ask for a date can lead to unmatching or ghosting.

🚩Discouragement: Repeated rejections can erode self-esteem, prompting thoughts like, “Am I not attractive enough?” and “What’s wrong with me?”. 

Request a Date

Decline/ Accept

🚩Frustration and Boredom: Many users expressed discontent with the repetitive surface-level conversations, leading to a sense of monotony.

🚩Miscommunication: The absence of tone and body language in texts leads to misunderstandings and also inability to express personality, complicating the process of getting to know someone.

First Date/ Part Ways

🚩First Date Stress: Planning a first date can be daunting, especially when users are unsure of their match’s preferences and want to avoid appearing overly demanding.

Break the Ice

Build Connection

🚩Fear of Rejection: Balancing the desire to deepen connections with the anxiety of asking for a date can create hesitation. On the other hand, taking too long to ask for a date can lead to unmatching or ghosting.

🚩Discouragement: Repeated rejections can erode self-esteem, prompting thoughts like, “Am I not attractive enough?” and “What’s wrong with me?”. 

Request a Date

Decline/ Accept

🚩Frustration and Boredom: Many users expressed discontent with the repetitive surface-level conversations, leading to a sense of monotony.

🚩Miscommunication: The absence of tone and body language in texts leads to misunderstandings and also inability to express personality, complicating the process of getting to know someone.

First Date/ Part Ways

🚩First Date Stress: Planning a first date can be daunting, especially when users are unsure of their match’s preferences and want to avoid appearing overly demanding.

Break the Ice

Build Connection

🚩Fear of Rejection: Balancing the desire to deepen connections with the anxiety of asking for a date can create hesitation. On the other hand, taking too long to ask for a date can lead to unmatching or ghosting.

🚩Discouragement: Repeated rejections can erode self-esteem, prompting thoughts like, “Am I not attractive enough?” and “What’s wrong with me?”. 

Request a Date

Decline/ Accept

🚩Frustration and Boredom: Many users expressed discontent with the repetitive surface-level conversations, leading to a sense of monotony.

🚩Miscommunication: The absence of tone and body language in texts leads to misunderstandings and also inability to express personality, complicating the process of getting to know someone.

First Date/ Part Ways

🚩First Date Stress: Planning a first date can be daunting, especially when users are unsure of their match’s preferences and want to avoid appearing overly demanding.

Despite the emotional toll, the innate desire to find a partner drives many back to these apps, perpetuating a cycle of hope and disappointment.

On the other hand, current dating solutions often leave users to navigate complexities alone after the initial match. With little incentive to stay, users often transition to texting or social media after some initial texting.

This raises the next question:

How can a dating app be designed in a way that supports the entire online dating “life cycle” – from being strangers to lovers?

Ideate

Meeting Through a "Mutual Friend": Cupid Corgi

Ideate

Meeting Through a "Mutual Friend": Cupid Corgi

Ideate

Meeting Through a "Mutual Friend": Cupid Corgi

The most organic way to meet people is through mutual friends. What if we create a virtual wingman (or wingdog)?

Introducing Cupid Corgi!

Cupid offers insights into your compatibility with matches, asks if they are interested in meeting privately, and even helps plan first dates. He smooths the initial micro-interaction and makes users' dating journey more seamless.

Cupid offers insights into your compatibility with matches, asks if they are interested in meeting privately, and even helps plan first dates. He smooths the initial micro-interaction and makes users' dating journey more seamless.

Cupid offers insights into your compatibility with matches, asks if they are interested in meeting privately, and even helps plan first dates. He smooths the initial micro-interaction and makes users' dating journey more seamless.

Testing

Validating the Solution: Testing Cupid Corgi

Testing

Validating the Solution: Testing Cupid Corgi

Testing

Validating the Solution: Testing Cupid Corgi

As Cupid Corgi is a core part of the solution and a new concept, I wanted to test this idea.

When Cupid Appears

1

7:51

Anna

Send a message

November 6. 10:05pm

Save My Response

I’m interested in meeting Anna!

You can change your mind at any time.

Seems like you two are enjoying your chat. Would you be interested in meeting Anna in person? No pressure but I totally think you should. I will let you know when you are BOTH interested.

Version 1:

Cupid’s date suggestion pop-up appears:

  • After three days of active chat (a timeframe suggested by a marriage therapist)

  • OR when date-related keywords are detected

However, user tests revealed:

  • Most testers preferred an immediate "meet-up" pop-up.

  • Using date-related keywords may pose technical challenges and errors.

1

7:51

Anna

Send a message

November 6. 10:05pm

Save My Response

I’m interested in meeting Anna!

You can change your mind at any time.

Seems like you two are enjoying your chat. Would you be interested in meeting Anna in person? No pressure but I totally think you should. I will let you know when you are BOTH interested.

Version 1:

Cupid’s date suggestion pop-up appears:

  • After three days of active chat (a timeframe suggested by a marriage therapist)

  • OR when date-related keywords are detected

However, user tests revealed:

  • Most testers preferred an immediate "meet-up" pop-up.

  • Using date-related keywords may pose technical challenges and errors.

1

7:51

Anna

Send a message

November 6. 10:05pm

Save My Response

I’m interested in meeting Anna!

You can change your mind at any time.

Seems like you two are enjoying your chat. Would you be interested in meeting Anna in person? No pressure but I totally think you should. I will let you know when you are BOTH interested.

Version 1:

Cupid’s date suggestion pop-up appears:

  • After three days of active chat (a timeframe suggested by a marriage therapist)

  • OR when date-related keywords are detected

However, user tests revealed:

  • Most testers preferred an immediate "meet-up" pop-up.

  • Using date-related keywords may pose technical challenges and errors.

Call Permission

1

Version 1:

Cupid Corgi initially:

  • Focused solely on helping with meeting up

  • Had call and video features available

Some testers raised their concerns about being called without their permission.

1

Version 1:

Cupid Corgi initially:

  • Focused solely on helping with meeting up

  • Had call and video features available

Some testers raised their concerns about being called without their permission.

1

Version 1:

Cupid Corgi initially:

  • Focused solely on helping with meeting up

  • Had call and video features available

Some testers raised their concerns about being called without their permission.

First Date Planning Feature

1

Version 1:

An automatic date suggestions feature was initially introduced to reduce stress for both parties.

However, people felt like the automatic date suggestion:

  • Lacked personalization

  • Decreased effort from both parties

1

Version 1:

An automatic date suggestions feature was initially introduced to reduce stress for both parties.

However, people felt like the automatic date suggestion:

  • Lacked personalization

  • Decreased effort from both parties

1

Version 1:

An automatic date suggestions feature was initially introduced to reduce stress for both parties.

However, people felt like the automatic date suggestion:

  • Lacked personalization

  • Decreased effort from both parties

Solution

the dating app that WANTS you to be in a relationship

Solution

the dating app that WANTS you to be in a relationship

Solution

The dating app that WANTS you to be in a relationship

Cupid Corgi is a dating app with a fresh approach. Its unique features, including the innovative business model and built-in wingman(dog), Cupid, are specifically tailored to help singles foster meaningful connections.

Cupid Corgi is a dating app with a fresh approach. Its unique features, including the innovative business model and built-in wingman(dog), Cupid, are specifically tailored to help singles foster meaningful connections.

Connect Through Similarities

When a user matches with someone, Cupid informs them about compatibility factors such as values, personality traits, and hobbies, leading to more engaging conversations and meaningful connections.

Ready to Meet In-Person?

Cupid privately gauges matches’ interest in calling and meeting up, and encourages users to connect in-person. This helps overcome fears of rejection and avoids miscommunication that can lead to unmatching or ghosting.

Personalized Date Planning

Cupid eases first date planning stress by helping users plan their date through a short questionnaire. This enables users to focus on knowing each other without worrying about planning the perfect first date.

A New Business Model

While many dating apps charge users for premium features, Cupid Corgi offers all features for free. Its goals align with the users' desire to go on in-person dates. Through partnerships with businesses, Cupid Corgi receives a commission when users go on first dates and redeem the app's offer. 

How Cupid Corgi Can Help Singles like Kyle

Impact

People Love Cupid Corgi!

Impact

People Love Cupid Corgi!

Impact

People Love Cupid Corgi!

"The app is not intimidating to use as it’s like having a friend/ wingman through the process.”

"The app is not intimidating to use as it’s like having a friend/ wingman through the process.”

“This app is a great way to explore date options and provides a personalized dating experience."

“This app is a great way to explore date options and provides a personalized dating experience."

"I love how this app gives more specific directions and helps with getting over the first couple hurdles when meeting someone online.“

"I love how this app gives more specific directions and helps with getting over the first couple hurdles when meeting someone online.“

“I would try it! Most apps focus on matches but Cupid Corgi also helps with after matching.”

“I would try it! Most apps focus on matches but Cupid Corgi also helps with after matching.”

"I like how this app is action-oriented with less awkwardness and random ghosting. It’s a good way to look for a long-term partner. I also really like corgis.“

"I like how this app is action-oriented with less awkwardness and random ghosting. It’s a good way to look for a long-term partner. I also really like corgis.“

"LOVE the business partnership idea."

"LOVE the business partnership idea."

Reflection

Top 3 Learnings

Reflection

Top 3 Learnings

Reflection

Top 3 Learnings

Different Users Have Different Needs

A challenge was balancing user preferences. For example, some testers wanted to meet their match sooner, while others preferred to wait. I addressed this by providing a call/meetup pop-up option that allowed users to engage without pressure for immediate action.

Making Business Impact through UX Design

Through my UX design projects,  especially this one, I came to appreciate coming from a business background as I design not only for users but also business stakeholders. 

Importance of Talking to Users!

Through talking to users, I improved my ideas and also test my assumptions. I wanted to thank the over 100 people were involved in the project. These amazing people helped by sharing their personal experiences through user interviews and surveys, participating with usability testing, and providing lots of feedback for features and designs.

Interested in learning More About My Process?

I typically share this during coffee chats or interviews. Don't hesitate to reach out!

Interested in learning More About My Process?

I typically share this during coffee chats or interviews. Don't hesitate to reach out!