Spark MVP Launch Prep

UX Designer at Spark Connect Inc.
Over the course of a three-week sprint, assist the Spark team with their UX design needs in preparation for the app’s MVP.

Spark is a social connection app that sets out to remove the difficulty, confusion, and frustration that can result from trying to network. Spark is looking to translate the social media experience into real life so users can connect. in person

Spark Standouts

Connect face -to - face within a specific location

World's first and only chatless social connection app

Compare...

Biggest area of opportunity for Spark: Safety

Twitter and Instagram allow users to block and report content, which then disappears
Uber Immediately reviews reports of physical or verbal altercations
Uber has a driver-rider verification system

Compete...

Biggest areas of opportunity for Spark: chat, setting intentions

All three competitors allow for chatting
Bumble allows users to set explicit intentions for the type of connection they’re looking for
LinkedIn is explicitly geared toward professional networking

Survey

25 Respondents

Goal: To discover how users currently network and gauge their response to Spark’s key functionalities and differentiators

92%

Use networking platforms on a daily basis

72%

Interested in meeting like-minded people in real life based on their location

72%

Not interested in chatless feature to encourage
in-person connection

36%

Have experienced security issues/concerns with social connection platforms

User Interviews

5 Participants

Goal: To gain deeper insights into users’ thoughts, behaviors, likes, and pain points when using networking apps.

Theme #1

Theme #2

I use networking apps to make connections based on similar interests or expertise

I want more reassurance when using networking tools to meet in real life

Theme #3

Theme #4

I dislike inauthenticity, spam, scams, and impersonal messages

I don’t like content that seems irrelevant to the purpose of an app

Initial Usability Test

5 Participants

Goal: Evaluate existing prototype provided by the Spark team to see what’s working and what could be improved.

100%

of users had concerns about the registration process

80%

of users had concerns about the app being entirely chatless

60%

of users unsure about reasoning for some of Spark’s features like QR code scanning, chatless functionality, or information being requested upon registration

60%

of users had safety concerns about rejecting a spark

Business Needs & Goals

Retrospective Journey Map

Problem Statement

Proposed Solutions

Adding a 'personal note from the founders' at the beginning of the app
Adding an onboarding process to walk users through the key functionality of the app
Reducing the number of registration screens
Reducing amount of information collected during registration to only necessary details