Embedded Files
CFriends
Background
I was the product designer for a startup project that was handled in the second half of 2022. The entire process of developing this product from scratch to launch took a little over three months. In this project, I will share how as a product designer in a startup team, we identified user pain points through focused interviews to achieve the business goals of the product.
My role
Team Composition:
Product Team:
1 Designer (myself), 2 Product managersDevelopment Team:
1 Delivery manager, 1 Frontend developer , 1 Backend developer
My responsibilities
Designing the mobile language system from scratch
Creating engaging user experiences and visuals for the product's internal use
Developing a cohesive brand, visual identity, and operational content for the product
Building high-fidelity prototypes for client testing
Providing design guidelines and ensuring quality assurance before the product launch.
Time Frame
3 months
About CFriends
CFriends is a social networking product that combines community events to facilitate making new friends. It utilizes diverse event content as a means to connect with new people, seeking common ground with strangers to expand one's social circle and achieve the goal of making friends.
Problem
- People problem
Based on our findings, we've identified two main user concerns when it comes to using dating apps. Firstly, they want to know if they can trust the information they come across. Secondly, they're looking for more real-life interactions rather than just online chatting
- Business problem
Users Lack Trust in the Platform
Users have a lack of trust in the information provided about their matches
Low Community Engagement
There is a weak sense of connection and interaction among users on the platform
User concerns reflect the common phenomenon in current dating platforms. These platforms offer more matches, but the quality of users is not guaranteed and often lacks trustworthiness.
We can summarize these concerns in two directions:
How can we create a platform that users can trust and implement rewards to encourage positive behavior?
How can we increase user engagement and make them rely on our platform more through a combination of online connections and offline activities?
By tackling these issues, Cfriends can stand out from existing dating platforms in the future.
Problem statement
How can we build a trusted platform that boosts user engagement through online connections and offline activities?
Main design solution
Offline Engagement
The platform offers offline events to users, where they can participate in events based on their interests. The platform's homepage displays a list of events, providing detailed information on event registration status. This allows users to quickly access event information and sign up for events of their choice.
Label-based Understanding
In the match feature, users can utilize simple tags to provide viewers with a better understanding of their potential matches, including personal details, highlights of their home and school, as well as their thoughts on finding a partner.
Verified Profiles
We provide the verified feature in profile editing, encouraging users to take the initiative to verify their education and experience. By doing so, they can showcase their qualifications and enhance their chances of receiving recommendations. We believe that verified profiles help users stand out and build trust within the community.
Impact
To validate the effectiveness of our solution, we will track its impact on the following aspects:
Drove high registrations, showcasing the app's appeal.
Fostered active engagement in events, creating a vibrant community.
Facilitated meaningful connections, boosting conversions.
Process
Discovery and Goal Setting
Uncovering User Needs and Defining Project Objectives
Based on interviews with our potential users, stakeholders have established several business objectives and a mission statement for our platform. Centered around the theme of "connection," our goal is to create a platform that enhances the efficiency of users in the same social circle to meet new friends. We aim to address the trust issues often encountered by users when using dating or social networking applications through a verification mechanism. Our platform strives to provide users with a transparent and user-friendly way to access event information.
Define the user
Users Seeking Serious Relationships
These users prioritize meaningful interactions and breaking down the sense of distance in online connections.
Mandarin Users with Overseas Study Experience
Most users in this category have higher standards for their potential partners and believe that having diverse commonalities such as educational backgrounds, values, and perspectives can foster resonance. They also perceive a higher likelihood of relationship development after meeting in person.
Users Looking to Expand Their Social Circle
Users who have used social networking platforms not only seek romantic partners but also aim to step out of their comfort zone to make friends. They are interested in exploring new people, and experiences, and hearing different stories. They are open to developing various relationships, such as collaboration partners or friends.
Ideation
Event Page - Layout consideration
When we design the "Events card" in the app, the card should have one or more "Hooks". This will help the users scan these during their decision-making process. And also we need to consider that context "Is this necessary or can i remove it ?"
Match Page - Content Categorization Display
With a wealth of user information available on the match page, each user wants to present a complete picture to the viewers. We carefully consider which information should be prioritized for display and utilize cards to categorize and showcase the information effectively.
Product Design
UX and UI are closely connected and should be considered together in the design process. They influence each other, impacting decisions on components, layouts, and interactions. This interplay makes product design both interesting and challenging, as designers strive to balance usability and aesthetics for an intuitive and visually appealing user experience.
User Testing
Before the product launch, we conduct promotional activities to attract potential users. These activities involve inviting prospective users to sign up for product testing and offering incentivized rewards to encourage user participation.
Design System
I used Sketch and Figma as design and collaborative tools to complete the design process and collaborate with my team.
In addition, I focus on defining mobile elements, including the usage and state of small components. This ensures consistency in the product's page iterations and helps maintain a cohesive user experience.
Branding identify
The platform is seeking to establish a strong and recognizable brand logo that reflects its core values and mission. My task is to create a brand logo that embodies the platform's values of simplicity and friendliness, with the aim of resonating with other users and standing out among competitors.
Result
Since its launch six months ago, the product has experienced significant growth in user registrations and discussion groups. The product has also received high satisfaction ratings from users. Many users mentioned that through CFriends, they were able to meet friends from different circles and develop various types of relationships, such as partners, friends, or business partners.
Over 50% of the users on the platform have also completed their educational verification, indicating a demand among users to increase their exposure on the platform and accelerate the process of meeting high-quality friends.
Intertesting Challenge with Startup
Discovering Collaboration Tools for Effective Communication in Startup Teams
We need to find or introduce collaboration tools suitable for startup teams that can effectively reduce communication costs. and we are looking for more intuitive and efficient collaboration methods that minimize communication costs, including confirming iteration pages and functional pages.
Flexibility in the Design Process for Startup Teams
In a startup team, maintaining a flexible and adaptable design process is crucial. Before the product is launched, we established an experience group to involve potential users in the validation process. We gather feedback and insights from our users to continuously improve and integrate their needs into our product.
Overcoming Limitations
Due to platform and time constraints, we are unable to implement user behavior tracking.
Google Sites
Report abuse