Designing our landing page and early web experience
Design System
Building and scaling a responsive design system
Questionnaires and User Accounts
Crafting questionnaires and user accounts for mobile and web
Supporting usability testing and iterating based on feedback
BACKGROUND
The Shift That Changed Everything
When I joined OurDate, the product was in transition—from a dating app in an oversaturated market to something more intentional: a platform that helps couples effortlessly plan curated, memorable date nights.This wasn’t just a rebrand. It was a pivot backed by real user frustration:
“We want to go out, we just don’t have time to plan.”
70% of couples struggled to plan regular date nights, and 60% found the options too generic or not tailored to them. That insight changed everything.
DISCOVERING THE GAP
Designing for Real Relationships
We weren’t building a generic planner. We were designing for real couples—with different schedules, parenting responsibilities, spontaneity levels, and moods.
The Focus:
Personalized onboarding: I created dynamic questionnaires that captured relationship preferences, scheduling constraints, and emotional goals. AI-Driven UX: The data we gathered seamlessly powered tailored date suggestions. Mobile-first thinking: Clean dashboards and clear outputs helped users quickly find options without needing to plan far in advance.
BRANDING AND CONSISTENCY
Design System: Rebuilding a Consistent and Scalable Foundation
Before we began designing screens, I collaborated with fellow designers to lead our branding efforts and build a scalable design system grounded in user research. During early interviews, users repeatedly described their ideal experience as “fun,” “lively,” and “romantic.” These insights guided our design critique sessions, where we translated those emotional cues into visual language.
We explored how color, typography, and gradients could embody the excitement of planning a date. The result was a playful, vibrant system designed to turn even mundane tasks—like filling out questionnaires, into delightful, engaging moments.
Crafting the User Experience
Gather Data That Empowers the User Experience
In developing design prototypes, personalization was central to the OurDate experience. I designed detailed questionnaires to gather users' preferences, interests, and relationship dynamics, which were crucial for AI-driven recommendations.
Collaborating with the product manager I ensured the questions were intuitive and engaging, balancing data collection with a seamless user experience. The result was a set of thoughtful questionnaires that provided valuable data and enabled the AI to deliver truly personalized date night experiences, differentiating OurDate in the market.
AI-Driven UX
Personalized Questions: Curated to help the AI system tailor activities and experiences to each couple’s preferences.
Intuitive Dashboard: Prioritizes and keeps information easily accessible.
Date Plan Results: Displayed in the user dashboard and sent to their email for convenient access.
Personalized onboarding
Users receive 2-3 itinerary options, each featuring 2 activities.
Key information, such as prices, reservation tips, parking, and hours, is provided to aid decision-making.
Itineraries are color-coded for easy recognition and recall.
Each option includes buttons to the relevant website and images to give a visual preview of the experience.
RESEARCH FINDINGS
The Research that Informed Us What to Build
Couples have different preferences when it comes to planning, with some preferring spontaneity and others valuing regular planning.
Scheduling and finding time for dates can be a common challenge among married couples with children.
Understanding each other's preferences and maintaining a positive mood can contribute to successful date experiences.
Frequent, smaller, and enjoyable activities can also constitute meaningful dates for some couples.
Childcare arrangements are a significant factor for parents when planning dates.
Couples with children often face challenges in finding child-friendly venues that suit their needs.
Couples with children may prioritize family outings in addition to alone time.
Competitor Analysis
I conducted a competitor analysis to identify areas for improvement and craft a solid value proposition that stands out in the market. This research helped us identify and highlighted the need for a personalized approach, setting OurDate apart from generic date night recommendations.
Click here to zoom in and view the full image
USER TESTING
Testing & What We Learned
We ran usability tests on our designs using Maze.co, focusing on:
Clarity of itinerary layouts
Form completion rate & drop-off points
Dashboard scan-ability
Form Length and Question Relevance
User Feedback: Users found the form a little long and some components, like fonts and touchpoints, were too small.
Action Taken: Streamlined the form by removing unnecessary questions and improving visual accessibility for a smoother experience.
Confusing Questions
User Feedback: Questions like "What are you not in the mood for?" were confusing due to wording, and some questions conflicted, leading to a disjointed experience.
Action Taken: Rephrased questions for clarity, removed double negatives, and ensured answer choices aligned with previous responses to improve flow.
Form Flow and Navigation
User Feedback: Users appreciated the intuitive navigation but wanted a more personalized experience with dynamic questions.
Action Taken: Implemented minor adjustments and identified the need to develop a dynamic questionnaire feature for future updates to enhance personalization.
Key Insights:
Shorter forms = more completions
Users loved having options but wanted quick comparisons
Email follow-ups increased repeat engagement
NAVIGATING A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT
A Few Screens from My Other Contributions
In the fast-paced startup environment, the OurDate project underwent numerous design iterations, each refining the product. As a design intern, I adapted quickly to these changes, using user feedback and testing to guide improvements.
Embracing feedback as a growth tool, I contributed significantly to the product's development, ensuring each iteration advanced towards a polished, user-friendly experience.
DEVELOPER HANDOFF
Ensuring Seamless Collaboration
As my design phase started to conclude, the focus began shifting to a critical phase: the developer handoff. Ensuring that the transition from design to development was smooth and efficient, was paramount to maintaining the integrity of the user experience we had crafted.
Detailed Documentation
We provided the development team with high-fidelity mockups and a comprehensive design system, ensuring all design elements were clearly defined.
Annotated Screens
Each screen was annotated with key details like user flows, spacing, button states, etc, making it easy for the developers to maintain the designs correctly.
Continuous Collaboration
Regular feedback and check ins insured that any issues were promptly addressed. leading to a final product that stayed true to the vision.
Moving on
Outcome and Impact
Although my internship ended before the official product launch, my contributions were foundational to the final product. As OurDate enters its beta stage, it is refining its offering based on user feedback. The design system and user experience work I contributed to, especially through iterative cycles, were key in creating an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
This collaborative effort aligned the product with the brand’s vision and set the stage for a successful launch. I wish the OurDate team continued success as they refine the platform and look forward to their growth and achievements.
Reflections
My internship at OurDate was a significant opportunity for showcasing adaptability and learning while contributing to a dynamic project. This case study highlights my growth in user experience design and design system development, as well as effective collaboration with a team.
The transition from a dating app to a date night planning service required a deep market understanding, commitment to personalization, and thoughtful design - elements I supported and learned from.
As I advance in my career, the insights and experiences from this internship will guide my design approach and collaboration. This project was more than contributing to a product; it was about creating meaningful solutions that enrich users' lives, reflecting the true power of design.
