When approaching the core interaction of expressing interest, I started by examining user expectations within the dating app space. Swiping has become the de facto standard because it is fast, tactile, and carries a playful sense of momentum, so it made sense why the team decided to adopt this familiar mechanic as the primary mode of interaction. However, I also considered accessibility and user inclusivity: not everyone finds swiping intuitive, especially people who prefer more precise interactions or those with swipe-fatigue. To address this, I introduced a set of action buttons along the bottom of the screen, offering a tap-based alternative. This dual approach allowed the app to feel both modern and familiar while reducing friction for a wider audience.

For the matching moment, my focus was on creating a sense of emotional payoff. A mutual “like” is a pivotal milestone in the user journey, so it needed to feel significant and gratifying. I explored different ways to deliver this feedback and landed on a celebratory confetti animation, which adds energy and positivity without overwhelming the interface. The intent was to trigger a small moment of delight, reinforcing the value of the app and motivating users to keep engaging with it. By framing each successful match as an achievement, the design encourages users to either take the next step in starting a conversation or to continue exploring, helping to sustain long-term engagement.

Given more scope for user testing, I would have explored alternative feedback mechanisms beyond visuals, such as incorporating audio cues or haptic vibrations. These could have activated additional senses to enhance the user experience, but they also carried the risk of overwhelming users. Proper testing would have been essential to evaluate their effectiveness, however, due to time and project constraints conducting this research was not possible within the current scope.