LINKUP | A LOOK INTO MORE HUMANE DATING
Product Design
User Interaction Design
User Experience Design
Research
Group Project
LINKUP
LINKUP
Finding a way for Gen Z to date more efficiently
Many folks, particularly Gen Z, are feeling 'dating app burnout' and wish to find ways to meet people more intentionally - whether more thoughtfully through apps or in real life.
Research Trends
79% of Gen Z feel dating app fatigue
They are moving away from dating apps, choosing real-life connections over the impersonal experience of endless swiping and algorithms.
Gen Z has trust issues online
They have increasing online trust issues, valuing authenticity and privacy in a digital age full of uncertainty.
Gen Z are afraid of rejection
Their fear of rejection drives them to seek safer, more authentic ways to connect.
How Might We's
From the research it made us think about:
How might we present out of college Gen Z women with the opportunity to meet romantic matches without gamifying the experience in a way to encourage intentional and deep connections?
Interview Summary
To gain a better understanding we interviewed 4 Gen Z women.
We learned that want:
Nostalgic for old-fashioned dating
To make in-person authentic connections
Desire a third space to meet new people organically
Our Opportunity Areas:
How might we help Gen Z women refocus on older traditional methods of dating and intimacy in today's current gamified dating experience?
How might we help Gen Z women take advantage of their own social circle to promote a mutual-based dating network which helps find them a partner that will fit into their life?
How might we better prepare Gen Z women to date by teaching them how to look for qualities that they want/good for them in dating?
2nd Round of Research
What 3rd spaces are Gen Z already at?
We found that they are very committed to being active and working out.
We found that:
Gen Z will have a bigger impact on the fitness market than any other generation.
56% of Gen Z consumers in the United States say fitness is a “very high priority”.
Millennials and Gen Z now make up 80% of health club members.
36% of Gen Z are already exercising regularly
How it works:
There are two features: the first one allows a gym member to request to work out with another gym member, and the second one randomly assigns two gym members together.
Request:
You get a spark band that syncs with other spark bands, this allows you to request a workout with another member by pressing the button. The other gym member can accept or deny the request.
Randomization:
The system randomizes you with a Linkup member that is
available at the times you listed. You get an email saying that you’ve been paired up with a date and time and you can accept/decline. If both members accept, you get a confirmation email, otherwise you get randomized again. Lastly, you meet up with your randomized partner at the gym.
User Testing
We interviewed 2 females and 2 males, and showed them the prototype and the sparkband. This is what some said:
“I would definitely try it out, because right now, going to the gym is not much of a social experience... ”
“With the wristband and program, you’re aware of who found you attractive at the gym without being distracted, but also still being able to show that you are interested.”
“I think this is helpful, the bracelets are also super fun! Sometimes it’s weird to approach someone during a workout, and you also never know when the best time is to approach someone.”
Next Steps
Ultimately, our goal is to create a third space that is focused on
health and wellness where individuals can socialize and curate
intentional relationships through shared activity and community.
Thank you for reading!
This project helped me learn how to conduct proper research. It also taught me how to take interviews and how research interviews work. I found this project challenging yet very interesting and I learned a lot.
GUDRUN THOLL TORFADOTTIR
Reykjavik, Iceland
New York, United States
LOCATION