miniluv
UI, UXR
Overview
This project is a personal exploration that will be showcased at the 'Orwell’s World 2024' artists’ book exhibition at the Book Art Museum in Łódź, Poland in 2025. To integrate UX and UI design into my printmaking practice, I created a prototype in the form of a printed artist's book, the size of an iPhone.
Forty years since the year 1984, this case study revisits dystopian themes through a contemporary lens. The book reimagines Winston Smith's secret love affair with Julia as a dating app called ‘miniluv,’ which surveils users and arrests those who conspire against Big Brother.
The book's pages consist of prototype UI screens that tell Winston and Julia’s story through direct quotes from 1984. I designed these screens following UX and UI research into dating app conventions and user behavior.
In developing the ‘miniluv’ project, I engaged in a comprehensive research process focused on understanding and applying UX and UI design principles, particularly as they relate to dating apps. This research was crucial to ensuring that the prototype screens within the artist's book were not only visually compelling but also accurately reflected contemporary design practices.
Problem
Time-strapped young adults pursuing romantic connections seek to streamline the process of locating a partner though dating apps. However, they struggle to turn these into real life dates because dating apps primarily facilitate messaging, and not everyone progresses to in-person meeting, leading to feelings of boredom and discontent.
Solution
Unlike traditional dating apps that focus primarily on messaging, this platform integrates features specifically designed to encourage and facilitate in-person meetings. By offering tools such as location-based date suggestions and seamless scheduling options, this reduces the barriers that prevent users from taking their connections offline.
Role
Tools
Timescale
UI design & UX Research
Figma, Google suite & sketching
July 2024 - August 2024
Research
Competitive Benchmarking
Online Survey
I began by conducting an analysis of popular dating apps to identify typical design conventions. Understanding the design language of successful platforms helped me craft a user interface that feels both familiar and functional, while still incorporating the thematic elements of Orwell’s 1984.
I decided to analyse Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble as three front runners in their respective field; all providing location based communication between interested users. They facilitate the creation of a user profile which account holders can use to make an informed decision whether or not to ‘match’ with another user.
Findings:
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An enticing opening screen is important, with concise onboarding that utilises a static walkthrough feature for new users. Connect through social media is encouraged for a quick sign up.
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Profile creation should be intuitive and make use of a continuous scroll, or offer progress indicators if numerous pages are present. It is standard practice to engage the user with prompts and questions. It is potentially off-putting for the user if a specific number of profile photos is mandatory.
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It is responsible to promote user safety and educate the user about safe dating practices within the onboarding and profile creation process. Underline for the user which information is visible to see by potential matches, and be consistent with this throughout the app.
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It is important to offer recognisable means to match with other users. Block, favourite, like and skip buttons should be easy to identify. Tinder and Bumble offer a ‘swipe’ function, whereas Hinge encourages the user to take a slower pace - an interesting design to encourage user engagement.
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Usage of illustrations and animations should compliment the nature of the app. Some instances of these can appear juvenile and confusing for the user.
Competitive Benchmark Sample
Research
Competitive Benchmarking
Online Survey
I conducted an online survey to gather direct insights from those who have prior experience of online dating. The survey aimed to understand user preferences, behaviours, and pain points when using dating apps. Participants were asked about their experiences with existing platforms, including the features they find most valuable, the challenges they face in progressing from online conversations to real-life dates, and their overall satisfaction with current apps and trends.
The feedback collected from the survey provided valuable data that informed my design decisions, ensuring that the app's interface not only met user expectations but also addressed specific frustrations and needs, ultimately enhancing the user experience.
Findings:
92%
users are currently dissatisfied with
dating apps
"You don’t get the face to face interaction and can be more awkward chatting to people online"
69%
users say the most important aspect of dating apps is making meaningful connections
"In general the biggest obstacle was being ghosted after talking to someone for a while, it happened a lot and is quite common. I think it has something to do with the sheer volume of people you can look through/talk to"
40%
users have or have had safety concerns when online dating
"Yeah there are some creeps online. You can delete them from your list and then they will never see you again. I liked that part."
Pain points
1
2
3
1. Ghosting - Users expressed frustration about the possibility of being "ghosted" after engaging in conversations with a match over a period of time.
2. Mindless swiping - The ease of swiping has led to users feeling like they are matching without genuine intent or purpose, resulting in a low conversion rate from matches to actual dates.
3. Transitioning to in-person meetings - Users are frustrated by the difficulty of moving beyond the "talking phase" and actually meeting in person.
'miniluv' Logo Concept Collages
Visual Design
Conceptualisation
Colour Palette
Typography
This step involved sketching out the basic structure of each screen, focusing on how users would navigate through the app. I created several iterations of the wireframes to explore different ways of integrating the narrative elements with the user interface, ensuring that the story of Winston and Julia could be seamlessly experienced by users.
These sketches represent the first step in translating user insights from research into a visual and functional interface. The designs explore a minimalist aesthetic while maintaining the usability and appeal expected in modern dating apps.
Each sketch reflects an intentional balance between narrative-driven elements and user-friendly features, ensuring that the app not only tells the story of Winston and Julia but also effectively guides users through a seamless and intuitive experience. These early concepts laid the foundation for a UI that subtly mirrors the novel’s themes of surveillance and control, while addressing the real-world frustrations users face in progressing from digital conversations to real-life connections.
Onboarding and Email Verification
Home Screen and Terms of Service
Phone Verification Screens
Date Invitation Input Details
Visual Design
Conceptualisation
Colour Palette
Typography
The color palette is central to the miniluv brand's visual identity. It includes primary, secondary, and accent colors that are consistently applied across all design elements, ensuring a unified and distinctive aesthetic. I chose muted, monochromatic tones to evoke the bleakness of the novel's world, contrasted with bold, intrusive elements representing the regime's constant surveillance. The design aimed to create a tension between the familiar aesthetics of modern dating apps and the sinister undertones of the 1984 narrative.
The final colour palette balances the thematic elements of 1984 with the need for a visually engaging and user friendly dating app interface. The darker tones create an atmosphere reminscent of the novel, while the red accents add vibrancy and usability.
Light grey (979797) - represents the bleak environment of 1984, but a neutral tone that adds balance and sophistication.
Red (FF6969) - symbolises the authoritarian regime and presence of Big Brother, also traditionally evokes love and passion.
White (FFFFFF) - for a clean interface, enabling contrast for readability.
Dark grey (333333) - for a sleek and contemporary feel, adding an elegant touch to the dating.
#979797
#FF6969
#FFFFFF
#333333
Visual Design
Conceptualisation
Colour Palette
Typography
The typography I selected creates a defined and consistent visual hierarchy. It features specific fonts, sizes, and styles to ensure both readability and cohesive brand identity.
I chose Lobster to feature in the 'minluv' brand logo. This bold and stylish script font adds a playful, romantic touch to the dating app logo. Its flowing lines create an inviting and warm feel, making it ideal for a brand focussed on connection.
I selected Montserrat for the dating app interface due to its clean, contemporary aesthetic that enhances readability and user experience. Montserrat’s versatility allows it to pair well with other design elements, maintaining a cohesive and professional appearance throughout the app.
Aa
Montserrat font family
Prototyping
Final UI
Publication
I crafted medium-fidelity prototypes of the dating app using Figma, focusing on detailed visual elements and interactions. The prototypes featured realistic UI components, including example screens for onboarding, profile browsing, messaging, and user settings. These elements were meticulously designed to align with the dystopian themes inspired by George Orwell’s 1984.
The interface elements, including buttons, icons, and overlays, were designed to evoke a sense of surveillance and control. Icons with subtle nods to surveillance, such as recording buttons, and a clean, geometric design language reinforced the app’s thematic coherence.
'miniluv' offers a series of features that directly address the pain points that were identified in the research phase of the project. I sought to encourage more meaningful connections through prompts and notifications that guide users toward in-person meetings, addressing users' frustration with stalled conversations. By adding location-based date suggestions and integrated scheduling tools, I directly tackled the pain point of users struggling to transition from online interactions to real-life meetings. Additionally, 'miniluv' discourages mindless swiping by introducing elements that slow down interactions and promote thoughtful engagement, akin to Hinge's model.
To validate the design, I conducted informal usability testing by presenting the screens to peers and gathering feedback on both the aesthetics and intended functionality. This helped identify areas where the design could be improved for better user engagement and narrative clarity. Adjustments were made based on this feedback, refining the prototype to ensure that it effectively communicated the story while remaining intuitive to navigate.
Prototyping
Final UI
Publication
Finally, I translated the digital screens into a physical format of a digitally printed artist's book. This required careful consideration of how the UI elements would be represented in print, maintaining the integrity of the design while adapting it to the limitations and opportunities of the print medium. The book preserves the dimensions of an iPhone, merging digital and physical design. This approach not only allowed for a thorough exploration of the UI design process but also offered a unique way to present and document the integration of Orwellian themes into the dating app’s interface.
Through this research and design process, I was able to create a project that not only pays homage to Orwell’s 1984 but also explores the intersection of art, design, and technology in a contemporary context.
Learnings
The intricacies of storytelling.
Reflecting on the 'miniluv' app book project, I gained valuable insights into the complexities of merging narrative-driven content with UX/UI design. The challenge of translating Orwell's 1984 into a modern dating app interface taught me the importance of balancing thematic depth with user experience. While the project successfully captured the novel’s themes of control and surveillance, I realized that further refinement could enhance the usability and clarity of the interface, ensuring that the story elements do not overshadow the app's functionality.
What I would do differently next time.
If I were to approach this project again, I would place greater emphasis on user testing throughout the design process, gathering more iterative feedback to fine-tune both the narrative integration and the UI elements. Additionally, exploring more interactive digital prototypes could provide a clearer understanding of how users interact with the app in real-time, helping to address any friction points before finalizing the design. Overall, this project deepened my appreciation for the intricate relationship between storytelling and design, and how each can enhance or detract from the other depending on execution.
