Case Study — Meetya: A Friendship App For Everyone

Introduction

Project Name: Meetya — Connecting Friends

Duration: September 2023 — December 2024

Team:
- UI/UX Designer:
- Product Manager:
- Developers:

Objective: The objective of this UI/UX case study is to design an engaging and user-friendly friendship app called “Meetya” that fosters connections, strengthens friendships, and encourages users to meet up in real life.

Research Phase

User Research

To begin the project, we conducted comprehensive user research to understand the needs and preferences of potential users. Key findings included:

1. Social Isolation: Many users expressed feelings of loneliness and a desire to make new friends or strengthen existing friendships.
   2. Safety Concerns: Users were concerned about safety when meeting new people, both online and offline.
   3. Interest-Based Connections: Users were keen on connecting with people who share their interests, hobbies, or activities.
   4. Convenience: Users wanted an app that makes it easy to find and connect with friends nearby.
   5. Privacy: Users valued their privacy and wanted control over who could connect with them.

Competitive Analysis

We analyzed several existing friendship and social networking apps to identify strengths and weaknesses in their user interfaces and user experiences. Key takeaways included:

- Most apps lacked a robust safety feature that addressed user concerns.
- Many apps had cluttered interfaces, making it hard for users to find what they needed.
- User profiles were often limited in customization, which hindered personalization.
- Location-based features were either absent or poorly executed in some apps.

Ideation Phase

Design Principles

We established the following design principles to guide the creation of “Meetya”:

1. User-Centric Design: Prioritize user needs, preferences, and safety above all else.
   2. Simplicity: Keep the app interface clean and intuitive for easy navigation.
   3. Personalization: Allow users to customize profiles and connections to reflect their personality and interests.
   4. Safety: Implement robust safety measures to foster trust and protect users.
   5. Location-Based Connectivity: Make it easy for users to discover and meet friends nearby.

Information Architecture

We created a sitemap and user flows to define the app’s structure and how users would navigate through its features. Key sections included:

• Home: The main feed displaying friend recommendations, events, and updates.
  - Profile: Where users can personalize their profiles, set preferences, and view their connections.
  - Search & Discover: A feature for finding friends based on interests, location, or mutual connections.
  - Messaging: A secure chat interface for communication between friends.
  - Events: A calendar of events, activities, and gatherings in the user’s area.
  - Safety & Privacy: Information on safety measures and privacy settings.

Design Phase

Wireframes

We started with low-fidelity wireframes to layout the app’s structure and functionality. This allowed us to iterate quickly on the design. Key wireframe elements included:

• A clean and uncluttered home feed displaying friend recommendations.
  - A profile page with customizable sections for photos, interests, and personal details.
  - A robust search and filter system for discovering friends based on location, interests, and mutual connections.
  - A simple and intuitive chat interface.
  - Event listings with details, RSVP options, and location information.

High-Fidelity Mockups

After refining the wireframes based on internal feedback, we created high-fidelity mockups that captured the final visual design and user interface. Key design choices included:

- A minimalist color palette to maintain a clean and modern look.
- Customizable profile sections to encourage personalization.
- A prominent “Safety Center” accessible from the main menu, with options to verify identities.
- A user-friendly event page with easy RSVP functionality.
- Geolocation integration for real-time location-based friend suggestions and event recommendations.

Testing Phase

Usability Testing

We conducted usability testing with a group of target users to gather feedback on the app’s functionality and design. Key findings included:

- Users found the app intuitive and easy to navigate.
- The safety features, including identity verification, were highly appreciated.
- Users enjoyed the personalization options for their profiles.
- Suggestions for minor improvements in the chat interface and event listing were noted.

Implementation Phase

Our development team used the high-fidelity mockups as a reference to build the Meetya app for both iOS and Android platforms. We closely monitored the development process to ensure the design vision was accurately executed.

Conclusion

The “Meetya” friendship app project aimed to create a user-centric, safe, and engaging platform for people to connect and strengthen friendships. Through rigorous research, thoughtful design, and usability testing, we have successfully created an app that meets these objectives. The app’s intuitive design, robust safety features, and location-based connectivity options make it a valuable tool for users seeking meaningful friendships.

As we continue to gather user feedback and make iterative improvements, we are confident that “Meetya” will become a go-to platform for fostering genuine friendships and bringing people together in real life.