A Mingle with love.
A Mingle with love.
A Mingle with love.
Role
Sole Designer
Scope
Product Design
Timeline
May - June 2025
Type
Conceptual
Project Overview
Project Overview
Project Overview
Connection shouldn’t feel like a grind.
Connection shouldn’t feel like a grind.
Connection shouldn’t feel like a grind.
Dating apps were supposed to help people connect but most just leave users burnt out and stuck in toxic swipe cycles. Statistics reflect this as Tinder's user base shrunk by 8% in 2024. I set out to explore why that’s happening and design an app that ensures people actually meet, not just match.
Dating apps were supposed to help people connect but most just leave users burnt out and stuck in toxic swipe cycles. Statistics reflect this as Tinder's user base shrunk by 8% in 2024. I set out to explore why that’s happening and design an app that ensures people actually meet, not just match.
Dating apps were supposed to help people connect but most just leave users burnt out and stuck in toxic swipe cycles. Statistics reflect this as Tinder's user base shrunk by 8% in 2024. I set out to explore why that’s happening and design an app that ensures people actually meet, not just match.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
Are dating apps built to fail?
Are dating apps built to fail?
Are dating apps built to fail?
As my friends and I grew more disillusioned with dating apps, I started to wonder whether the negative experiences we'd had were exclusive to us. Issues such as ghosting, endless pointless conversation and mental all took a toll on me. I began to suspect that the apps weren’t just broken, they were built to fail.
As my friends and I grew more disillusioned with dating apps, I started to wonder whether the negative experiences we'd had were exclusive to us. Issues such as ghosting, endless pointless conversation and mental all took a toll on me. I began to suspect that the apps weren’t just broken, they were built to fail.
As my friends and I grew more disillusioned with dating apps, I started to wonder whether the negative experiences we'd had were exclusive to us. Issues such as ghosting, endless pointless conversation and mental all took a toll on me. I began to suspect that the apps weren’t just broken, they were built to fail.
Research Questions
Research Questions
Research Questions
I needed to ask the right questions.
I needed to ask the right questions.
I needed to ask the right questions.
While I and a handful of people around me were frustrated with the apps, I didn't want to assume that this was the case for most people who've used them. To guide my research, I came up with three key research questions that would help guide me through the process.
While I and a handful of people around me were frustrated with the apps, I didn't want to assume that this was the case for most people who've used them. To guide my research, I came up with three key research questions that would help guide me through the process.
While I and a handful of people around me were frustrated with the apps, I didn't want to assume that this was the case for most people who've used them. To guide my research, I came up with three key research questions that would help guide me through the process.
What pain points do users encounter when using dating apps?
What pain points do users encounter when using dating apps?
Current Usability Issues
How do Spotify users currently share music they like with friends?
Current Usability Issues
How do dating apps affect user engagement and satisfaction?
How do dating apps affect user engagement and satisfaction?
Impact on User Well-being
What prevents Spotify users from sharing music more frequently?
Impact on User Well-being
What would a more human-centered dating experience look like?
What would a more human-centered dating experience look like?
Impact on User Engagement
Do these issues impact how often or in what ways users interact with Spotify?
Impact on User Engagement
Academic Insights
Academic Insights
Academic Insights
How dating apps affect us.
How dating apps affect us.
How dating apps affect us.
I began with peer reviewed academic research, mainly because it’s based on large-scale, long-term data rather than opinions or isolated experiences. These studies use years of quantitative evidence to uncover consistent patterns and measurable outcomes.
I began with peer reviewed academic research, mainly because it’s based on large-scale, long-term data rather than opinions or isolated experiences. These studies use years of quantitative evidence to uncover consistent patterns and measurable outcomes.
I began with peer reviewed academic research, mainly because it’s based on large-scale, long-term data rather than opinions or isolated experiences. These studies use years of quantitative evidence to uncover consistent patterns and measurable outcomes.
Community Insights
Community Insights
Community Insights
Unpacking the pain-points.
Unpacking the pain-points.
Unpacking the pain-points.
I turned to Reddit to get a clearer view of how others felt. I visited the subreddits for Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, reading through dozens of threads and hundreds of comments. Across all three sub-Reddits, users echoed many of the same frustrations I’d had confirming that these weren’t just personal annoyances.
I turned to Reddit to get a clearer view of how others felt. I visited the subreddits for Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, reading through dozens of threads and hundreds of comments. Across all three sub-Reddits, users echoed many of the same frustrations I’d had confirming that these weren’t just personal annoyances.
I turned to Reddit to get a clearer view of how others felt. I visited the subreddits for Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, reading through dozens of threads and hundreds of comments. Across all three sub-Reddits, users echoed many of the same frustrations I’d had confirming that these weren’t just personal annoyances.
r/Hinge
r/Hinge
10 mo. ago
10 mo. ago
frankzwa123
frankzwa123
Feeling about 2 years on the app
Feeling about 2 years on the app
58
58
54
54
Share
Share
Qualitative Data
Qualitative Data
Qualitative Data
Unpacking the pain-points.
Unpacking the pain-points.
Unpacking the pain-points.
To validate what the academic research uncovered, I surveyed 40 people who've used dating apps within the last six months. Unsurprisingly, the user survey results highlighted that their experience matched the findings of the academic research. Fatigue, ghosting, and shallow interactions were the norm.
To validate what the academic research uncovered, I surveyed 40 people who've used dating apps within the last six months. Unsurprisingly, the user survey results highlighted that their experience matched the findings of the academic research. Fatigue, ghosting, and shallow interactions were the norm.
To validate what the academic research uncovered, I surveyed 40 people who've used dating apps within the last six months. Unsurprisingly, the user survey results highlighted that their experience matched the findings of the academic research. Fatigue, ghosting, and shallow interactions were the norm.
No Connection
No Connection
No Connection
95% of surveyed users said that the dating apps don’t prioritize any real connection.
68% said they discovered new music through friends.
95% of surveyed users said that the dating apps don’t prioritize any real connection.
Dead-Ends
Dead-Ends
Dead-Ends
83% of surveyed users said their matches rarely led to an any meaningful conversations.
83% said matches rarely led to any actual conversations with others.
83% of surveyed users said their matches rarely led to an any conversations.
Ghosting
Ghosting
Ghosting
82% of surveyed users shared that they had either ghosted or been ghosted on the apps.
82% of surveyed users shared that they had ghosted or been ghosted.
82% of surveyed users shared that they both ghosted or been ghosted on the apps.
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Understanding the competition.
Understanding the competition.
Understanding the competition.
I analyzed the biggest dating apps on the market to understand what shaped their user experience. Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge may differ superficially but were owned by the same company and employed the same business model.
I analyzed the biggest dating apps on the market to understand what shaped their user experience. Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge may differ superficially but were owned by the same company and employed the same business model.
I analyzed the biggest dating apps on the market to understand what shaped their user experience. Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge may differ superficially but were owned by the same company and employed the same business model.
Tinder
Bumble
Hinge
Ghosting Consequences
Limits Choice Overload
Incentives to Meet
In-depth Personalization
The user pain points the data pointed to wasn't accidental. The frustration users feel feeds the predatory business model. Features that seem broken drive people to spend money for visibility, boosts, or better matches; the design encourages short bursts of engagement rather than meaningful outcomes.
The user pain points the data pointed to wasn't accidental. The frustration users feel feeds the predatory business model. Features that seem broken drive people to spend money for visibility, boosts, or better matches; the design encourages short bursts of engagement rather than meaningful outcomes.
The user pain points the data pointed to wasn't accidental. The frustration users feel feeds the predatory business model. Features that seem broken drive people to spend money for visibility, boosts, or better matches; the design encourages short bursts of engagement rather than meaningful outcomes.
Tinder
Bumble
Hinge
Ghosting Consequences
Limits Choice Overload
Incentives to Meet
In-depth Personalization
Tinder
Bumble
Hinge
Ghosting Consequences
Limits Choice Overload
Incentives to Meet
In-depth Personalization
HMW Statement
HMW Statement
HMW Statement
Breaking the cycle.
Breaking the cycle.
Breaking the cycle.
The apps all profiting from shallow engagement made one thing very clear, fixing the current model wasn’t the answer, I needed to start from scratch. How might we design a dating app that rewards follow-through and puts genuine connection first while remaining profitable?
The apps all profiting from shallow engagement made one thing very clear, fixing the current model wasn’t the answer, I needed to start from scratch. How might we design a dating app that rewards follow-through and puts genuine connection first while remaining profitable?
The apps all profiting from shallow engagement made one thing very clear, fixing the current model wasn’t the answer, I needed to start from scratch. How might we design a dating app that rewards follow-through and puts genuine connection first while remaining profitable?
User Interviews
User Interviews
User Interviews
Turning frustration into ideas.
Turning frustration into ideas.
Turning frustration into ideas.
I ran guerrilla interviews with 10 current dating app users and had open-ended discussions to understand what they’d like to see in a dating app. This allowed me to understand what features would make the experience feel more genuine, less frustrating, and worth their time.
I ran guerrilla interviews with 10 current dating app users and had open-ended discussions to understand what they’d like to see in a dating app. This allowed me to understand what features would make the experience feel more genuine, less frustrating, and worth their time.
I ran guerrilla interviews with 10 current dating app users and had open-ended discussions to understand what they’d like to see in a dating app. This allowed me to understand what features would make the experience feel more genuine, less frustrating, and worth their time.
Discouraging Ghosting
Discouraging Ghosting
Add penalties for ghosting to make people take chats seriously.
Add penalties for ghosting to make people take chats seriously.
Add penalties for ghosting to make people take chats seriously.
Limiting Overload
Limiting Overload
Limit how many people users can talk to to reduce overload and boost effort.
Limit how many people users can talk to to reduce overload and boost effort.
Limit how many people users can talk to to reduce overload and boost effort.
Incentivizing Dates
Incentivizing Dates
Add a time-based prompt that nudges users to set up a real-life date.
Add a time-based prompt that nudges users to set up a real-life date.
Add a time-based prompt that nudges users to set up a real-life date.
Journey Mapping
Journey Mapping
Journey Mapping
Bringing the journey to life.
Bringing the journey to life.
Bringing the journey to life.
After identifying features users wanted, I set out to see where most pain-points took place in the current user journey. I mapped out the typical dating app experience from sign-up to burnout to visualize the full picture.
After identifying features users wanted, I set out to see where most pain-points took place in the current user journey. I mapped out the typical dating app experience from sign-up to burnout to visualize the full picture.
After identifying features users wanted, I set out to see where most pain-points took place in the current user journey. I mapped out the typical dating app experience from sign-up to burnout to visualize the full picture.
Stage
Stage
Stage
Sign-Up
Sign-Up
Sign-Up
Swiping
Swiping
Swiping
Matching
Matching
Matching
Messaging
Messaging
Messaging
Burnout
Burnout
Burnout
Emotion
Emotion
Emotion
Pain Point
Pain Point
Pain Point
Overwhelmed by choices.
Overwhelmed by choices.
Overwhelmed by choices.
Stuck in the toxic burnout loop.
Stuck in the toxic burnout loop.
Stuck in the toxic burnout loop.
Rarely leads to a conversation.
Rarely leads to a conversation.
Rarely leads to a conversation.
Low effort replies from matches.
Low effort replies from matches.
Low effort replies from matches.
No built-in user accountability.
No built-in user accountability.
No built-in user accountability.
User Quote
User Quote
User Quote
“I don’t even know where to start.”
“I don’t even know where to start.”
“I don’t even know where to start.”
“I’m not even reading bios anymore.”
“I’m not even reading bios anymore.”
“I’m not even reading bios anymore.”
“Nothing happens after matching.”
“Nothing happens after matching.”
“Nothing happens after matching.”
“I’m always ghosted after 2 messages.”
“I’m always ghosted after 2 messages.”
“I’m always ghosted after 2 messages.”
"Why match if you don't wanna talk?"
"Why match if you don't wanna talk?"
"Why match if you don't wanna talk?"
Opportunity
Opportunity
Opportunity
Advanced match preferences.
Advanced match preferences.
Advanced match preferences.
Focusing on one person at a time.
Focusing on one person at a time.
Focusing on one person at a time.
Mutual interest filters built-in.
Mutual interest filters built-in.
Mutual interest filters built-in.
Built-in ghosting accountability.
Built-in ghosting accountability.
Built-in ghosting accountability.
Set time to go on date from match.
Set time to go on date from match.
Set time to go on date from match.
Design Principles
Design Principles
Design Principles
Building with purpose.
Building with purpose.
Building with purpose.
At this point in my process, all of my data pointed to one thing. Users were tired of shallow engagement, flaky behavior, and platforms that felt more like games than they were tools for finding real connections. Three core design principles built around all the research thus far guided my solutions.
At this point in my process, all of my data pointed to one thing. Users were tired of shallow engagement, flaky behavior, and platforms that felt more like games than they were tools for finding real connections. Three core design principles built around all the research thus far guided my solutions.
At this point in my process, all of my data pointed to one thing. Users were tired of shallow engagement, flaky behavior, and platforms that felt more like games than they were tools for finding real connections. Three core design principles built around all the research thus far guided my solutions.
Intentionality
Intentionality
Making each like matter by encouraging thoughtful, deliberate matches.
Making each like matter by encouraging thoughtful, deliberate matches.
Making each like matter by encouraging thoughtful, deliberate matches.
Accountability
Accountability
Introducing real consequences to reduce ghosting and drive respectful behavior.
Introducing real consequences to reduce ghosting and drive respectful behavior.
Real consequences to reduce ghosting and drive respectful behavior.
Connection
Connection
Pushing users to meet in person, not just match and linger in chat.
Pushing users to meet in person, not just match and linger in chat.
Pushing users to meet in person, not just match and linger in chat.
Key Learning Moment
Key Learning Moment
Key Learning Moment
From insight to solutions.
From insight to solutions.
From insight to solutions.
After identifying the pain points, I knew the features had to put users before profit. They were clear about what wasn’t working and what they wanted instead. I needed to facilitate real connections by discouraging certain user behaviours. This lead me to realize I could do this through monetization.
After identifying the pain points, I knew the features had to put users before profit. They were clear about what wasn’t working and what they wanted instead. I needed to facilitate real connections by discouraging certain user behaviours. This lead me to realize I could do this through monetization.
After identifying the pain points, I knew the features had to put users before profit. They were clear about what wasn’t working and what they wanted instead. I needed to facilitate real connections by discouraging certain user behaviours. This lead me to realize I could do this through monetization.
First Solution
First Solution
First Solution
Ghosting costs you.
Ghosting costs you.
Ghosting costs you.
Ghosting used to have no consequences, but that changes here. When a user ghosts, their account is frozen until they pay to unlock it. This small barrier encourages people to think twice before dropping a conversation and helps create a more respectful, accountable space for everyone.
Ghosting used to have no consequences, but that changes here. When a user ghosts, their account is frozen until they pay to unlock it. This small barrier encourages people to think twice before dropping a conversation and helps create a more respectful, accountable space for everyone.
Ghosting used to have no consequences, but that changes here. When a user ghosts, their account is frozen until they pay to unlock it. This small barrier encourages people to think twice before dropping a conversation and helps create a more respectful, accountable space for everyone.
Second Solution
Second Solution
Second Solution
One match at a time.
One match at a time.
One match at a time.
Talking to too many people at once makes it hard to stay present or build anything meaningful. Mingle solves this by limiting users to one active chat at a time. This reduces the pressure to juggle conversations and helps each match feel more focused, intentional, and worth following through.
Talking to too many people at once makes it hard to stay present or build anything meaningful. Mingle solves this by limiting users to one active chat at a time. This reduces the pressure to juggle conversations and helps each match feel more focused, intentional, and worth following through.
Talking to too many people at once makes it hard to stay present or build anything meaningful. Mingle solves this by limiting users to one active chat at a time. This reduces the pressure to juggle conversations and helps each match feel more focused, intentional, and worth following through.
Third Solution
Third Solution
Third Solution
See where it leads.
See where it leads.
See where it leads.
If both users agree to keep talking after a date, they enter Meet Again mode. This pauses all new likes and locks their accounts in a shared match state. This helps users focus on each other without the usual noise of incoming likes.
If both users agree to keep talking after a date, they enter Meet Again mode. This pauses all new likes and locks their accounts in a shared match state. This helps users focus on each other without the usual noise of incoming likes.
If both users agree to keep talking after a date, they enter Meet Again mode. This pauses all new likes and locks their accounts in a shared match state. This helps users focus on each other without the usual noise of incoming likes.
Key Learning Moment
Key Learning Moment
Key Learning Moment
Putting It to the test.
Putting It to the test.
Putting It to the test.
With the designs in place, I needed to know if they actually made a difference. So I brought users back in, watched how they moved through the app, listened to where they got stuck, and where things clicked. This part wasn’t just about testing, it was about understanding how the work landed in the hands of real people.
With the designs in place, I needed to know if they actually made a difference. So I brought users back in, watched how they moved through the app, listened to where they got stuck, and where things clicked. This part wasn’t just about testing, it was about understanding how the work landed in the hands of real people.
With the designs in place, I needed to know if they actually made a difference. So I brought users back in, watched how they moved through the app, listened to where they got stuck, and where things clicked. This part wasn’t just about testing, it was about understanding how the work landed in the hands of real people.
Outcome
Outcome
Outcome
Solutions that work.
Solutions that work.
Solutions that work.
I used usability testing and A/B experiments to refine each feature and ensure users always knew what to do next. One test explored how even small changes in wording could shift behavior. I compared two post-date screens to see which label better encouraged users to follow through.
I used usability testing and A/B experiments to refine each feature and ensure users always knew what to do next. One test explored how even small changes in wording could shift behavior. I compared two post-date screens to see which label better encouraged users to follow through.
I used usability testing and A/B experiments to refine each feature and ensure users always knew what to do next. One test explored how even small changes in wording could shift behavior. I compared two post-date screens to see which label better encouraged users to follow through.
2x Higher Completion
2x Higher Completion
76% completed the flow B vs. just 38% for flow A.
76% completed the flow B vs. just 38% for flow A.
76% completed the flow B vs. just 38% for flow A.
90%+ Task Success
90%+ Task Success
Users understood “Meet Again” kept them matched.
Users understood “Meet Again” kept them matched.
Users understood “Meet Again” kept them matched.
Clearer Intent
Clearer Intent
Most users completed the flow in under 20 seconds.
Most users completed the flow in under 20 seconds.
Most users completed the flow in under 20 seconds.
A
B
Measuring the Impact
Measuring the Impact
Measuring the Impact
When Matches Matter.
When Matches Matter.
When Matches Matter.
After extensive user testing, max-diff analysis revealed a clear preference: users were 3x more likely to say they’d stick with Mingle over other dating apps. Why? Because Mingle puts healthy connection first. With clearer post-date prompts, built-in accountability, and intentional design, users felt more confident and committed in their interactions, something other apps often lack.
After extensive user testing, max-diff analysis revealed a clear preference: users were 3x more likely to say they’d stick with Mingle over other dating apps. Why? Because Mingle puts healthy connection first. With clearer post-date prompts, built-in accountability, and intentional design, users felt more confident and committed in their interactions, something other apps often lack.
After extensive user testing, max-diff analysis revealed a clear preference: users were 3x more likely to say they’d stick with Mingle over other dating apps. Why? Because Mingle puts healthy connection first. With clearer post-date prompts, built-in accountability, and intentional design, users felt more confident and committed in their interactions, something other apps often lack.
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
Humane design works.
Humane design works.
Humane design works.
What I took away from this project was that a product can be both ethical and profitable. By charging users who engage in undesirable behaviours such as ghosting, I built a system that encouraged healthier behavior without compromising users. In fact, it improved it. The drop in engagement across apps like Tinder proves that business models built on endless swiping and ghosting don’t last.
What I took away from this project was that a product can be both ethical and profitable. By charging users who engage in undesirable behaviours such as ghosting, I built a system that encouraged healthier behavior without compromising users. In fact, it improved it. The drop in engagement across apps like Tinder proves that business models built on endless swiping and ghosting don’t last.
What I took away from this project was that a product can be both ethical and profitable. By charging users who engage in undesirable behaviours such as ghosting, I built a system that encouraged healthier behavior without compromising users. In fact, it improved it. The drop in engagement across apps like Tinder proves that business models built on endless swiping and ghosting don’t last.
Work
Solo Concept
Scope
Product Design
Timeline
May - June 2025
Type
Conceptual
@Ziyad Al-Huwaiti 2025
@Ziyad Al-Huwaiti 2025
@Ziyad Al-Huwaiti 2025