As a passionate pickleball player, we often wondered how people connect with others to play. At the start of this project, our initial hypothesis was that individuals are eager to join new communities in their city but struggle to find them.

The goal of our research and analysis was to identify the stages at which users encounter challenges or obstacles when discovering and joining new sports communities. Using data from user 40 interviews, we created affinity diagram to discover opportunity area.

User research revealed that individuals often struggle to find suitable clubs and events that align with their busy schedules, particularly in terms of time and location. Additionally, many users feel intimidated joining new teams due to uncertainty about skill levels. They also prefer attending events with friends or mutual connections rather than going alone.

Based on insights gathered from user research, we have defined the following problem statement:

In our research, we also analyzed user sentiment toward competitive apps such as Volo, Meetup, NYC Footy and etc. This involved gathering user opinions and feedback to understand their experiences with these platforms. Key topics emerged during the analysis, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement.

Users expressed a strong need for a unified platform that allows them to search for events based on specific criteria, such as time, location, skill level, and overall vibe. Additionally, many users highlighted the importance of attending events with friends, emphasizing the social aspect of their experience as a key factor in choosing sports activities.

We ideated three opportunity areas, each directly informed by specific UX goals, to address key user needs and enhance the overall experience.

We created detailed user flows to identify the specific requirements for each feature and provide a clear structure. The flows focus on two primary user groups: organizers creating events and attendees searching them.

Following the decisions informed by A/B testing, we developed high-fidelity designs for all key features. Below are examples showcasing six core features, each thoughtfully crafted to align with user needs and deliver an optimal experience.

During team feedback sessions, we concluded that the current design felt too bland and generic, lacking the distinctiveness needed to stand out—ultimately making it uninspiring. In response, we returned to the drawing board and reimagined the branding from scratch. Through multiple rounds of brand exploration and creative exercises, we developed a fresh, trendy theme designed to inject energy and excitement into the app, ensuring it leaves a lasting impression.

Building on the defined brand values and overarching visual theme, I reimagined the app's visual design to align seamlessly with the UX decisions informed by user research. This process ensured that the updated design not only reflected the new branding but also enhanced usability, addressing user needs while maintaining a cohesive and engaging visual experience.

To ensure a sustainable design system and minimize redundant work during potential design iterations, I developed a robust and well-structured set of design tokens and a comprehensive component library. Leveraging Figma variables and styles, this system will align directly with code variables and the UI component library. Additionally, it has been thoroughly documented to facilitate a smooth and efficient design-to-development handoff.