1. User Engagement: Increase user engagement and provide a platform that offers value beyond a standard directory service.

2. Brand Expansion: Expand upon the existing brand and add additional features and services to cater to the diverse needs of the LGBTQ community.

3. Competition: Differentiate Pride Places from existing LGBTQ apps and establish it as the leading LGBTQ community resource hub

1. User Engagement: Increase user engagement and provide a platform that offers value beyond a standard directory service.

2. Brand Expansion: Expand upon the existing brand and add additional features and services to cater to the diverse needs of the LGBTQ community.

3. Competition: Differentiate Pride Places from existing LGBTQ apps and establish it as the leading LGBTQ community resource hub

I met with stakeholders to understand the project’s current status and reviewed the pre-existing market research. My curiosity wanted to go even deeper, so I conducted additional research to understand the target audience and their needs.

Key Takeaway

The target audience includes members of the LGBTQ community, allies, and LGBTQ-owned Businesses.

I conducted a comprehensive analysis of similar LGBTQ apps. The findings from the competitor analysis served as a benchmark to guide the app’s direction and design.

Key Takeaway: No Versatility

• Clunky and Many Glitches
• Overcomplicated Sign-Up Process
• Minimal Customization
• No Directory
• No Community Organizing feature
• Geared only for Dating

I conducted a comprehensive analysis of similar LGBTQ apps. The findings from the competitor analysis served as a benchmark to guide the app’s direction and design.

Key Takeaway: No Versatility

• Clunky and Many Glitches
• Overcomplicated Sign-Up Process
• Minimal Customization
• No Directory
• No Community Organizing feature
• Geared only for Dating

Utilizing Pride Places’ current branding and incorporating relevant design trends, It set the foundation for a visually appealing and user-friendly app.

Key Takeaway

Choosing powerful words to help aid in the design process created a compass that kept the design process on a clear path.

I developed a detailed site map that evolved through six iterations.  Each interaction continued to prioritize features and streamline the app’s functionalities, resulting in a robust MVP.

Key Takeaway: I prioritized features based on competitor analysis. Being a member of the LGBTQ community, I was able to pull from my own experiences.  I also asked friends within the community for their insight on the matter.

 I developed a detailed site map that evolved through six iterations.  Each interaction continued to prioritize features and streamline the app’s functionalities, resulting in a robust MVP.

Key Takeaway

I prioritized features based on competitor analysis. Being a member of the LGBTQ community, I was able to pull from my own experiences.  I also asked friends within the community for their insight on the matter.

Striking a balance between customization and ease of use, I streamlined the onboarding process and ensured users could personalize their experience without overwhelming them with excessive questions. 

Key takeaway: Incorporating layouts inspired by successful social media apps gave users a sense of familiarity and comfort with navigation and performing tasks.

Striking a balance between customization and ease of use, I streamlined the onboarding process and ensured users could personalize their experience without overwhelming them with excessive questions. 

Key Takeaway

Incorporating layouts inspired by successful social media apps gives users a sense of familiarity and comfort with navigation and performing tasks.

Creating a quick prototype of the Lo-Fi mockups gave me an understanding from the user’s perspective. I saw where I could improve visual elements. 

I treated the prototype like I would a painting. By stepping back and observing the whole painting as opposed to a section, it becomes more apparent what parts did not make sense or could be improved upon to create more harmony as you proceeded through

In conclusion, my six-month Product Designer internship at Pride Places was very insightful but defined by a restricted timeline and some communication lag time. Given time constraints, I adopted a no-frills approach, focusing on the basic design that can be a guideline for the UI Design to expand upon later. 

Addressing challenges in user engagement, brand expansion, and competition, I conducted research and competitor analysis and followed a systematic design process. The resulting app is straightforward, striking a balance between customization and simplicity.

If I could have done anything differently, I would have spent more time interviewing members of the LGBTQ and gaining more insight. If I had more time to work on the project,  I would have loved to have developed a prototype and tested it within the community.