End to end ux process of found dating app

Overview

Found is a bold new dating app launching in 2025, designed to help people build real, emotionally intelligent connections in an era of swipe fatigue and digital detachment. With a core belief that meaningful relationships require more than just looks and bios, Found is engineered from the ground up to support authentic dating experiences.

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Focus
Focus

Redesign the dating experience to prioritize emotional connection, safety, and intentional dating.

Focus
Role

UX Research & Product Design

Focus
Timeline

Q2–Q4 2024 (Design & Beta), Launch Q3 2025

Focus
Focus

Redesign the dating experience to prioritize emotional connection, safety, and intentional dating.

Focus
Focus

Redesign the dating experience to prioritize emotional connection, safety, and intentional dating.

Focus
Role

UX Research & Product Design

Focus
Timeline

Q2–Q4 2024 (Design & Beta), Launch Q3 2025

Problem Space

Most dating apps prioritize volume over depth. Swiping-based systems encourage shallow interactions, leading to:

  • User fatigue

  • Emotional burnout

  • Low-quality matches

  • Poor follow-through after matches


Problem Space


Most dating apps prioritize volume over depth. Swiping-based systems encourage shallow interactions, leading to:

  • User fatigue

  • Emotional burnout

  • Low-quality matches

  • Poor follow-through after matches


Goal:

Create a dating app experience where users feel emotionally seen, safe, and connected not just matched.

User Research

  • 35 in-depth user interviews (ages 24–42)

  • Competitor audit (Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, OKCupid)

  • Diary studies: 2-week usage logs of existing apps

  • UX survey: 1,000 responses from beta waitlist

Pain Point


User Quote

Opportunity

Swiping fatigue & shallow connections

“It’s a game. I forget why I even opened it.”

Rethink the core interaction model

Ghosting & lack of follow-through

“We match, talk for 2 hours, and poof—gone.”

Introduce pre-chat filtering

Profile anxiety

“I don’t know how to show who I really am.”

Use emotional storytelling prompts

App feels emotionally draining

“I feel lonelier after using it.”

Build tools for reflection & regulation

Focus
User Qoute

“It’s a game. I forget why I even opened it.”

“We match, talk for 2 hours, and poof—gone.”

“I don’t know how to show who I really am.”

“I feel lonelier after using it.”


Focus
Pain points

Swiping fatigue & shallow connections

Ghosting & lack of follow-through

Profile anxiety

App feels emotionally draining

Focus
Opportunity

Rethink the core interaction model

Introduce pre-chat filtering

Use emotional storytelling prompts

Build tools for reflection & regulation


Usability Testing

Test Groups: 12 users, 3 tasks, 2 rounds
Scenarios:

  • Completing onboarding with emotional profile

  • Accepting/declining a vibe check call

  • Writing a journal entry after a match

Metrics:

  • Task success rate: 94%

  • Avg. onboarding time: 6.2 minutes

  • Vibe Check opt-in: 65% of matches

  • CSAT: 4.7/5

Design Impact

  • Ghosting reduced by 42% in beta

  • 3.8x increase in meaningful match conversations

  • 65% of users said they felt more emotionally safe


Focus
Focus
User Qoute

Redesign the dating experience to prioritize emotional connection, safety, and intentional dating.

“It’s a game. I forget why I even opened it.”

“We match, talk for 2 hours, and poof—gone.”

“I don’t know how to show who I really am.”

“I feel lonelier after using it.”


Focus
Role
Pain points

UX Research & Product Design

Swiping fatigue & shallow connections

Ghosting & lack of follow-through

Profile anxiety

App feels emotionally draining

Focus
Timeline
Opportunity

Q2–Q4 2024 (Design & Beta), Launch Q3 2025

Rethink the core interaction model

Introduce pre-chat filtering

Use emotional storytelling prompts

Build tools for reflection & regulation


Next Steps

  • Launch AI-based “Date Debrief”

  • Expand identity safety features

  • Add filters for neurodivergent and therapy-informed users

  • Build “Found for Friends” platonic mode

Design Principles

  1. Connection over convenience

  2. Emotionally intelligent UX

  3. Intentionality at every step

  4. Safety through transparency

Prototype

NDA restricted.

To view prototype, please reach out to me.