EMOTION-BASED RESEARCH
Given the emotionally rich nature of dating and relationships, I knew the success of Native hinged on understanding and tapping into users' emotional drivers and responses. To this end, I focused on eliciting specific, desirable emotions through the design. I used a framework inspired by Positive Emotional Granularity Cards, a tool that delineates 25 positive emotions users can feel toward a product. These cards helped us explore and identify the emotional experiences most relevant to dating and building deep connections. In a series of interviews, I presented users with the Positive Emotional Granularity Cards and asked them to identify emotions they felt would enhance their dating experience. We used these discussions to explore which emotions Native should evoke at key moments, such as matching, viewing compatibility insights, or discovering potential partners.
NAVIGATION FLOWS
For the development of Native, I created a comprehensive user flow chart to map out key interactions and features, ensuring that the navigation was intuitive and engaging. Users would be activated in the system by simply selecting their city of residence, followed by setting preferences for more personalized matches. The heart of the app revolves around self-discovery, where users could explore their “native energy” card, highlighting personality traits, compatibility metrics, and ideal partner characteristics. To make the experience more fun and engaging, a feature that matched users with celebrities having similar native energy was included. This personal exploration was complemented by an interactive compatibility map, where users could browse and upvote profiles based on personality traits or geographic proximity.
To streamline the registration process and promote user engagement, we implemented a social media login option (Facebook and Google) alongside email sign-up. This allowed users to connect with their social networks and see posts from friends, enhancing the social aspect of the app. We started with low-fidelity sketches, which helped visualize the user flow from onboarding to interaction. These sketches evolved into the final interface design, carefully crafted to provide users with a seamless experience focused on personal growth and meaningful connections.
WIREFRAMES
STYLE GUIDE
WIREFRAMES
BRAND
COLORS
MOBILE MENU
PRIMARY ICONS
BUTTONS
FONT
Poppins
Primary
#BE94C6
#BE94C6
Secondary
Neutral
#D9D9D9
#1E1E1E
Neutral
Decline
#F36364
#6FCC42
Accept
Bold
Medium
Regular
as you are
native.
WIREFRAMES
The wireframes for Native were designed with a focus on intuitive navigation and user engagement. Starting from the exploration of recommended profiles, the interface allows users to easily browse potential matches while providing clear, organized information about compatibility. The native card highlights key compatibility factors such as personality traits and emotional needs, which are presented in a visually accessible way. Additionally, an interactive match visualization adds a playful, engaging layer to the experience. Communication interfaces were kept clean and minimal, ensuring users stay focused on meaningful interactions. User preferences are managed through a well-organized favorite card feature, allowing easy access to liked profiles. The onboarding experience is thoughtfully structured to guide users through the app’s features, fostering familiarity while maintaining simplicity.
FINAL STEP
With the UI fully developed, the next steps focus on refining the product through user feedback and final testing before launch. This involves conducting user testing sessions to gather insights on the app’s usability, emotional impact, and overall experience. Based on the feedback, we plan to iterate on any identified issues or areas for improvement, ensuring the app delivers on its core promise of personalized and meaningful connections. We’ll also be working closely with developers to finalize the integration of features and ensure seamless functionality. Once these refinements are complete, we’ll move toward preparing for the official launch with a focus on user onboarding and marketing strategies.
Native is a distinctive Japanese dating app built to connect users through personalized insights into their ikigai (purpose), native energy, and compatibility metrics. From concept to completion, I designed the entire application, offering users a unique experience that goes beyond traditional dating apps. Native empowers users to explore themselves through their native energy card, which highlights core aspects like needs, love compatibility, personality traits, and ideal partner characteristics. Moreover, it features a fun and relatable aspect by showing celebrities with similar native cards, making the experience even more engaging.
The goal of Native is to provide users with more than just a platform for romantic connections. The app aims to help users understand their own strengths, desires, and compatibility factors by integrating cultural aspects of Japanese spirituality and ikigai, offering deep self-reflection alongside the search for a partner.
ABOUT NATIVE
Feel free to contact me on: Bhagyashree.vr56@gmail.com
USER INTERFACE
The UI of Native was designed to create an intuitive and emotionally engaging experience, blending modern aesthetics with personalized insights. The soft pastel color palette evokes a sense of calm and self-reflection, aligning with the app’s focus on ikigai and compatibility. Key elements like the "Native Card" provide users with a clear snapshot of their personality traits and match metrics, while interactive features, such as the compatibility map and celebrity comparisons, add playful engagement. Optimized for mobile, the interface prioritizes ease of use, with accessible navigation and dynamic micro-interactions that enhance user enjoyment and self-discovery throughout their journey.
