Conclusion
Through the design and development of the Popin app, we aimed to revolutionize the networking experience for our target audience. By focusing on personalized recommendations, intuitive user interfaces, and seamless social integration, we were able to create a platform that empowers users to connect with like-minded individuals and build meaningful relationships.
Working with a startup provided invaluable insights into the agile development process and the importance of iterative design. The rapid pace of development necessitated flexibility and a willingness to adapt to changing requirements. Additionally, the close collaboration with cross-functional teams fostered a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
Through this experience, I learned the importance of user-centered design and the value of conducting thorough user research to inform design decisions.
closing notes
Final Prototype
The high-fidelity prototypes showcase Popin's approach to personalized event discovery, attendee matching, and connection building, empowering users to navigate networking events with ease and confidence.
Through the creation of these high-fidelity prototypes for Popin, I gained valuable insights into the intricacies of user interface design and the importance of iterative design.
Final touches
The prototype showcases how Popin uses personalized recommendations to help users discover relevant events, fostering a more engaging and efficient networking experience.
The second prototype demonstrates how Popin leverages personalized matching to facilitate meaningful connections between attendees, enhancing the overall networking experience at events.
The third prototype showcases how Popin seamlessly integrates event check-in, attendee discovery, and connection features, enabling users to maximize their networking potential.
Design Revisions
Based on the testing insights, design revisions were made to make the design interface more intuitive and user friendly.
refining the Design
1
2
3
A Real-World Reality Check
Usability Testing
A usability test was conducted to evaluate the user experience of the Pop-In app. Participants were tasked with discovering events, matching with other attendees, and checking into events.
Key Insights:
Event Discovery: Users found the event discovery process intuitive and easy to navigate. However, some users expressed a desire to see their personalized preferences that influenced the recommended events.
Profile Matching: The tag-based matching system was well-received, but the color scheme could be improved for better clarity.
Event Check-In: The check-in process was smooth and efficient.
Overall, the Pop-In app offers a positive user experience. By addressing minor issues like the color scheme and potentially simplifying the pricing information, the app can further enhance its usability. Additionally, providing more transparency into the personalization algorithm can improve user satisfaction.
Pencil to pixels
High- Fidelity Wireframes
The high-fidelity wireframes for Popin prioritize a clean and intuitive design. The card-based layout for events and profiles enhances readability, while the minimal color palette and clear typography reduce visual clutter.
The use of playful icons and social features like the "Heart" button adds a touch of personality and encourages interaction. These design choices aim to create a welcoming and inclusive platform for overwhelmed users, making it easier for them to navigate the app and connect with like-minded individuals.
Bringing it to life
Style Guide
The style guide for Popin prioritizes a clean and intuitive design. By using a minimal color palette and clear typography, we aim to reduce cognitive load. The addition of subtle visual elements like playful icons adds personality to the app without overwhelming the user. This approach aligns with our goal of making Pop-in a welcoming space for introverted individuals to connect and network.
Laying the Foundation
Low-Fidelity Sketches
The low-fidelity wireframes showcase key screens for Popin's user experience. They prioritize event discovery, engagement, and networking features with various categories, detailed event pages, attendee profiles, and personalized recommendations.
Justin exploring new feature
Creating User Flow
Scenario:
Alex, eager to network with investors and startups, uses Popin to find relevant events. He discovers an "Investors & Startups Networking" event and explores the profiles of attendees who've RSVP'd. Seeing promising connections, Alex signs up and shares the event with friends.
Use Case:
This user flow illustrates how Popin helps users like Alex discover and engage with relevant networking events. By visualizing the steps, we can identify pain points and opportunities for improvement in the user experience.
Feature Roadmap
The Blueprint
This feature roadmap outlines a comprehensive solution to Alex's networking challenges. By incorporating a range of features, this app aims to create a personalized and efficient networking experience.
Profile Builder and Recommendations: Users can create detailed profiles and receive tailored recommendations based on their interests and goals.
Cross-Platform Integration: Seamlessly syncs with other apps like LinkedIn, Google Calendar, and WhatsApp for easy event management.
Social Features: Follow friends, comment on posts, and participate in icebreaker activities to foster community and engagement.
Check-ins and Profile Matching: Make the networking experience engaging with check-ins and profile matching to motivate users and help them make better connections.
Smart Recommendations: Leverage AI to suggest relevant events and connections, saving time and effort.
problem statement
Redefining the Problem
“How might we create a engaging networking app that allows Alex to efficiently connect with like-minded individuals and discover relevant opportunities without it being overwhelming?”
Meet Our User
Justin: A tech-savvy engineer
Alex is a busy marketing manager at a tech startup. He's always looking to expand his professional network and stay up-to-date on industry trends. While networking events offer great potential, Alex often struggles with time constraints, information overload, initial awkwardness, and a lack of personalization. To overcome these challenges, he seeks a personalized networking app that can suggest relevant events, save time, and foster a supportive community.
Decoding the Retail Landscape
Competitive Analysis
To understand the current landscape of networking platforms, we analyzed three major players: LinkedIn, Eventbrite, and Meetup. The key areas were identified where Pop-In can differentiate itself: AI-powered recommendations, helping users find meaningful connections a seamless user experience, a vibrant community, and a strong focus
on user privacy.
EVENTBRITE
Strengths: Massive user base, strong search, and focus on professional development.
Weaknesses: Can be overwhelming for casual networking.
Opportunities: Expand to include more casual networking features.
MEETUP
Strengths: Large database of events, easy event discovery.
Weaknesses: Limited networking features.
Opportunities: Enhance networking capabilities, integrate with professional platforms.
Strengths: Strong community focus, in-person interactions.
Weaknesses: Limited professional networking features.
Opportunities: Expand features to support professional networking, improve event discovery.
Unveiling the Costco Conundrum
A User Research Deep Dive
To gain insights into the challenges and opportunities in modern networking, we conducted interviews with a diverse group of individuals. These individuals spanned various industries and backgrounds, including software engineers, entrepreneurs, architects, and designers.
Key Findings
Overwhelming Crowds: Large-scale events can be overwhelming, with crowds that make it difficult to identify and connect with relevant individuals. This can lead to superficial interactions and wasted time.
Lack of Personalization: Traditional networking events often lack personalization, making it challenging to find connections that align with specific interests and goals.
Inefficient Follow-Up: Maintaining connections and following up with new contacts can be time-consuming and inefficient. Without proper tools and strategies, relationships may fade quickly.
Privacy Concerns: Sharing personal information with strangers can be a concern for many individuals. This can hinder the ability to build trust and establish meaningful connections.
Problem statement
A Quest for Connection
How can we design a mobile app that helps attendees of smaller events (50-200 people) connect with relevant individuals, discover shared interests, and optimize their networking experience, even in less crowded environments?
“Identifying Relevant Connections”
Difficulty in finding individuals with shared interests and professional goals.
“breaking the ice”
Challenges in initiating conversations and building rapport with strangers.
“Inefficient Follow-Up”
Difficulty in maintaining connections and following up with potential contacts.
background
Lost in the Crowd: The Networking Dilemma
Smaller, intimate events like industry meetups or workshops can still present challenges for attendees looking to build meaningful connections. Traditional networking methods, while effective in smaller settings, may not always facilitate efficient and personalized interactions.
My Role
User Research
Conceptualization
Design
Usability Testing
Prototyping
Tools
Figma
Gemini
Zoom
Whimsical
Google Survey
Duration
2 months
Screens
20 screens
Pop-in, 2024
End to end mobile app for Pop-In: Your Pocket-Sized Networking Pal
