Engage Social Networking

Challenge: Help a start-up focusing on the intersection of social networking and dating create a communication tool to enable both behaviors.

  • Behavioral Models: Our initial step was an evaluation of the typical real world models that embodied a typical match-up. Conversations at dinner tables, social gatherings and private parties were identified as the best model for Engage’s purposes.

  • Concept Models: Initial sketches were made to explore various models that could use the results of the analysis to create a conceptual framework for the new “Conversations” module. Once the brainstorming session was concluded, our team had a working model that had management buy-in and we moved into the “production stage”.

  • Wireframes: The conceptual models served as the guiding light in creating the detailed wireframes. These wireframes reflected the various tasks that a typical user may conduct. UI specifications were created to inform visual design and copy.

Solution

Our team worked with the company’s business strategists, product managers and users to analyze the business strategy, product roadmap, and desired benefits from this new feature-set and to combine it with the long-term strategic goals of the company. The desire to create an informal, fun service converted the original “email” model into a more casual “conversation” style model that was a combination of chat and message boards.