Mingle is a reimagined online dating app that fosters genuine connection through accountability, trust and intentionality.
Mingle is a reimagined online dating app that fosters genuine connection through accountability, trust and intentionality.
Role
Sole Designer
Scope
Product Design
Timeline
May - June 2025
Type
Conceptual
How did it go?
Felt safe with Alex
Had fun with Alex
Alex was respectful
Alex arrived on time
Alex matched photos
Meet Again
Not Interested
Your Invitation to Mingle.
Today
8:30 PM
King St.
Drinks
Walk
Alex has just accepted your Mingle invitation, you will both receive a reminder an hour before you Mingle. Time to vibe.
Monogamous
Extrovert
Ambitious
NextJS
ReactJS
Life Partner
Monogamous
Want Kids
YOU GHOSTED ALEX.
How did it go?
Felt safe with Alex
Had fun with Alex
Alex was respectful
Alex arrived on time
Alex matched photos
Meet Again
Not Interested
Your Invitation to Mingle.
Today
8:30 PM
King St.
Drinks
Walk
Alex has just accepted your Mingle invitation, you will both receive a reminder an hour before you Mingle. Time to vibe.
Monogamous
Extrovert
Ambitious
NextJS
ReactJS
Life Partner
Monogamous
Want Kids
YOU GHOSTED ALEX.
Overview
Overview
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 design a product that better supports real connection and early results show it’s working.
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 design a product that better supports real connection and early results show it’s working.
User Favourite
76% participants ranked Mingle highest for real connection and intentionality.
Clearer Intentions
72% participants felt Mingle’s push to plan dates led to more purposeful conversations.
Real Outcomes
67% participants found Mingle’s accountability loop made them take matches more seriously.
User Favourite
76% participants ranked highest for connection and intentionality.
Clearer Intentions
72% participants felt Mingle led to more purposeful conversations.
Real Outcomes
67% participants said the accountability made them take matches seriously.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
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.
Research Questions
Research 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.
What pain points do users encounter when using dating apps?
Current Usability Issues
How do dating apps affect user engagement and satisfaction?
Impact on User Well-being
What would a more human-centered dating experience look like?
Impact on User Engagement
What pain points do users encounter when using dating apps?
Current Usability Issues
How do dating apps affect user engagement and satisfaction?
Impact on User Well-being
What would a more human-centered dating experience look like?
Impact on User Engagement
Academic Insights
Academic Insights
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.
It’s the gambling-like reward, that dopamine rush of the ‘It’s a match’ screen. A variable reward that encourages continued swiping to experience this again.
Wright, 2024.
Even though the platforms promise this will lead to meaningful connections, their monetization strategies suggest that maximizing matches is a goal in itself.
Nader, 2024.
Dating apps slowly started to not facilitate offline encounters but rather feed into the user’s desire of accumulating matches.
Balkhi, 2025.
It’s the gambling-like reward, that dopamine rush of the ‘It’s a match’ screen. A variable reward that encourages continued swiping to experience this again.
Wright, 2024.
Even though the platforms promise this will lead to meaningful connections, their monetization strategies suggest that maximizing matches is a goal in itself.
Nader, 2024.
Dating apps slowly started to not facilitate offline encounters but rather feed into the user’s desire of accumulating matches.
Balkhi, 2025.
Community Insights
Community Insights
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.
QUANTITATIVE Data
QUANTITATIVE Data
Understanding the pain-points
Understanding 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.
No Connection
95% of surveyed users said that the dating apps don’t prioritize helping users form connections.
Dead-Ends
83% of surveyed users said their matches rarely led to an any meaningful or deep conversations.
Ghosting
82% of surveyed users shared that they had either ghosted or been ghosted on the apps.
No Connection
95% of surveyed users said that the dating apps don’t prioritize helping users form connections.
Dead-Ends
83% of surveyed users said their matches rarely led to an any meaningful or deep conversations.
Ghosting
82% of surveyed users shared that they had either ghosted or been ghosted on the apps.
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
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 two of the three apps 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 two of the three apps were owned by the same company and employed the same business model.
Tinder
Bumble
Hinge
Ghosting Consequences
Limits Choice Overload
Incentives to Meet
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
Accountability
Limits Choice Overload
Incentives to Meet
Journey Mapping
Journey Mapping
Bringing the journey to life
Bringing the journey to life
After identifying things 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 things 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.
I don’t even know where to start.
Sign Up
Nothing happens after matching.
Matching
Swiping
I’m not reading bios anymore.
The model Mingle moves away from
Gamified loops and algorithmic throttles pushing users to pay for visibility, leading to match accumulation not connection.
It seldom ever gets to this point.
Date
Chatting
Mostly eventually get ghosted.
Where Mingle aims to shifts the focus
Bypassing current model built on endless swiping, Mingle must put follow-through and real connection at the center.
I don’t even know where to start.
Sign Up
Nothing happens after matching.
Matching
Swiping
I’m not reading bios anymore.
Model Mingle moves away from
Loop and algorithmic throttles pushing users to pay for visibility, leading to match accumulation not connection.
It rarely gets to this point.
Date
Chatting
Mostly eventually get ghosted.
Mingle aims to shifts the focus
Bypassing current model built on endless swiping, follow-through and connection must be at the center.
User Interviews
User Interviews
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.
Ghosting Penalties
Add penalties for ghosting to make people take chats seriously.
Limiting Overload
Limit how many people users can talk to to reduce overload and boost effort.
Incentivizing Dates
Add a time-based prompt that nudges users to set up a real-life date.
Ghosting Penalties
Add penalties for ghosting to make people take chats seriously.
Limiting Overload
Limit how many people users can talk to to reduce overload and boost effort.
Incentivizing Dates
Add a time-based prompt that nudges users to set up a real-life date.
HMW Statement
HMW Statement
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?
Design Principles
Design Principles
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.
Accountability
Introducing consequences to reduce ghosting and drive respectful behavior.
Intentionality
Making each like matter by encouraging thoughtful, deliberate matches.
Connection
Pushing users to meet in person, not just match and linger in chat.
Accountability
Introducing real consequences to reduce ghosting and drive respectful behavior.
Intentionality
Making each like matter by encouraging thoughtful, deliberate matches.
Connection
Pushing users to meet in person, not just match and linger in chat.
Key Learning Moment
Key Learning Moment
From insight to solutions
From insight to solutions
The issue wasn’t just ghosting or low effort. It was a system built around people not connecting. Addictive swiping made money in the short term but hurt users in the long run. By monetizing the bad habits this model encouraged, I could tackle both the symptoms and the root problem.
The issue wasn’t just ghosting or low effort. It was a system built around people not connecting. Addictive swiping made money in the short term but hurt users in the long run. By monetizing the bad habits this model encouraged, I could tackle both the symptoms and the root problem.
Accountability
Accountability
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.
Intentionality
Intentionality
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 and intentional.
Connection
Connection
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.
Key Learning Moment
Key Learning Moment
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.
Testing Outcomes
Testing Outcomes
Solutions that work
Solutions that work
I used A/B tests and other testing methods 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 flows to see which label better encouraged users to follow through.
I used A/B tests and other testing methods 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 flows to see which label better encouraged users to follow through.
2x Higher Completion
76% completed the flow B vs. just 38% for flow A.
90%+ Task Success
Users understood “Meet Again” kept them matched.
Clearer Intent
Most users completed the flow in under 20 seconds.
2x Higher Completion
76% completed the flow B vs. just 38% for flow A.
90%+ Task Success
Users understood “Meet Again” kept them matched.
Clearer Intent
Most users completed the flow in under 20 seconds.
Made main flow seem optional.
Unmatched unintentionally.
Used language to guide users.
Pushed users to make a choice.
A
B
Made main flow seem optional.
Unmatched unintentionally.
Made main flow seem optional.
Unmatched unintentionally.
Used language to guide users.
Pushed users to make a choice.
Used language to guide users.
Pushed users to make a choice.
A
B
Measuring the Impact
Measuring the Impact
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 popular dating apps. Why? Because Mingle puts healthy connection first.
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 popular dating apps. Why? Because Mingle puts healthy connection first.
Reflection
Reflection
Humane design works
Humane design works
A product can be both ethical and profitable. Charging for ghosting encouraged healthier behavior and improved the experience. If I could do it again, I’d study the long-term effects closely tracking whether users adapt or leave and test across diverse groups to refine how accountability features feel fair and inclusive.
A product can be both ethical and profitable. Charging for ghosting encouraged healthier behavior and improved the experience. If I could do it again, I’d study the long-term effects closely tracking whether users adapt or leave and test across diverse groups to refine how accountability features feel fair and inclusive.
Fin.
Fin.
Role
Sole Designer
Scope
Product Design
Timeline
May - June 2025
Type
Conceptual
Under Construction
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