NearWink – UX Design Project

Project Overview: NearWink is a mobile application designed to help people who are shy or hesitant to initiate conversations in person. The app allows users to connect with others in their immediate vicinity, facilitating low-pressure interactions through a simple and intuitive interface. By limiting connections to close-range users only, NearWink creates a safe and comfortable environment for people to reach out and connect with those around them.

Problem Statement: In social settings, many individuals find it challenging to start a conversation with someone nearby, whether due to shyness, anxiety, or fear of rejection. There was a need for a tool that could reduce this barrier and make it easier for users to connect with others in their surroundings.

Design Process:

  1. User Research & Empathy Mapping: I began by researching common challenges faced by shy individuals in social situations. This helped in understanding their pain points and motivations, which were later used to guide the design process.

  2. Sketching & Wireframing: Initial ideas were sketched out on paper, focusing on the core functionality of the app—connecting with people in close range. These sketches were then translated into low-fidelity wireframes to map out the user flow and interactions.

  3. Prototyping: The wireframes were then transformed into digital prototypes using design tools like Figma. The focus was on creating a clean, minimalistic interface that would be easy to navigate for users who may already feel overwhelmed in social situations.

  4. Usability Testing: The digital prototypes were tested with potential users to gather feedback. Iterations were made based on their input to refine the user experience, ensuring that the app was both intuitive and effective in facilitating connections.

Key Features:

  • Close Range Connections: The app only shows users who are within a short distance, ensuring that connections are relevant and immediate.
  • Switch On/Off Feature: Users can easily toggle their visibility on or off, giving them control over when they want to be available for connections.
  • Simple Interaction: Users can choose to send a message or a ‘wink’ to initiate a conversation, lowering the barrier to interaction.

Outcome: NearWink successfully addresses the challenge of initiating conversations in social settings. The app was well-received during testing, with users appreciating its simplicity and the comfort it provided in making new connections. The project demonstrates my ability to take an idea from conception through to a functional prototype, all while keeping the user’s needs at the forefront of the design process.