UX Design, UI Design

UX Design, UI Design

Reel You

Reel You

Rethinking dating apps for real connection in Singapore

Rethinking dating apps for real connection in Singapore

Note: Currently refining this case study. Come back soon for the full story!

Note: Currently refining this case study. Come back soon for the full story!

Skills:

User Research · Persona Development · Interaction Design · UI/UX · Prototyping · Visual Design · Usability Testing

User Research · Persona Development · Interaction Design · UI/UX · Prototyping · Visual Design · Usability Testing

Role:

Role:

UX/UI Designer

UX/UI Designer

Tools:

Tools:

Figma

Figma

Duration:

Duration:

2 weeks

2 weeks

01

The Brief

My Objective

Overview

Overview

Overview

This project was part of my UX Design course at General Assembly.

This project was part of my UX Design course at General Assembly.

Link to prototype

A dating app saw a 5% drop in paid users. I was tasked to design a solution that drives a 10% increase by Q2 2025 — by building trust and excitement in the experience.

The Brief

A dating app saw a 5% drop in paid users. I was tasked to design a solution that drives a 10% increase by Q2 2025 — by building trust and excitement in the experience.

Uncover male-specific frustrations and overlooked needs — and use these insights to design an MVP that feels real, refreshing, and human.

My Objective

Uncover male-specific frustrations and overlooked needs — and use these insights to design an MVP that feels real, refreshing, and human.

02

User Findings

User Findings

User Findings

Based on 6 user interviews with men aged 20–30 familiar with dating apps in Singapore.

Based on 6 user interviews with men aged 20–30 familiar with dating apps in Singapore.

Generic Profiles

Surface-level bios made it hard to start meaningful conversations or gauge compatibility.

“Girls just say they love bubble tea and dogs — how do I respond to that?”

High Expectations

Men felt judged on superficial traits like looks or job title, making dating feel performative.

“Dating in Singapore is harder because everyone has high expectations”

Deceptive algorithm

Lack of transparency led to distrust and reduced motivation.

“Apps make you more visible at the start, then your likes drop till you pay.”

Catfishing Scares

Highly curated photos created trust issues and disappointing in-person experiences.

“I met someone who looked totally different from her pictures.”

03

Meet Alex

Meet Alex

User persona I created

Alex is a thoughtful, driven professional living in Singapore. He’s tried dating apps for years—but lately, it just feels like a chore. Every time he puts in effort to spark a real conversation, he’s met with generic bios, dry replies, or silence.

He’s tired of wasting energy on one-sided matches. What he really wants? A space where people show up as their true selves—where connection feels natural, not transactional.

“Dating in Singapore feels like applying for a job — endless applications, multiple rounds & still getting rejected.”

“Dating in Singapore feels like applying for a job — endless applications, multiple rounds & still getting rejected.”

  • Goal: Build meaningful, genuine connections

  • Needs: Better prompts that actually lead somewhere

  • Frustrations: Surface-level bios, low effort matches

  • Behavior: Often initiates, but feels overlooked

03

“Dating in Singapore feels like applying for a job — endless applications, multiple rounds & still getting rejected.”

Meet Alex

User persona I created

Alex is a thoughtful, driven professional living in Singapore. He’s tried dating apps for years—but lately, it just feels like a chore. Every time he puts in effort to spark a real conversation, he’s met with generic bios, dry replies, or silence.

He’s tired of wasting energy on one-sided matches. What he really wants? A space where people show up as their true selves—where connection feels natural, not transactional.

  • Goal: Build meaningful, genuine connections

  • Needs: Better prompts that actually lead somewhere

  • Frustrations: Surface-level bios, low effort matches

  • Behavior: Often initiates, but feels overlooked

04

Alex's Pain Points

Alex's Pain Points

Alex's Pain Points

Focused Problem Statements of Users

One-sided effort

Alex struggles to tell if someone is genuinely interested, making it hard to know where to invest his energy.

Surface-level profiles

He needs space for users to show real personality — not just photos or generic prompts.

Hard to spark connection

He wants conversations to start naturally and go beyond small talk.

05

Brand & Product Vision

Brand & Product Vision

Brand & Product Vision

ReelYou is inspired by the ocean — playful, deep, & unfiltered.

It’s designed to surface real moments, not polished personas. This inspiration came from a core insight: people crave authenticity. Just like the sea, connections should feel fluid, raw, and full of depth — not filtered or performative.

primary

primary

cyan

blue

#0A5C63

#0A5C63

accent

accent

modern

coral

#FF6B4A

#FF6B4A

neutral

neutral

coral

reef

#F5F1ED

#F5F1ED

neutral

neutral

mystery

black

charcoal

mist

#2D2D2D

#2D2D2D

neutral

neutral

icy

blue

#F9FCFD

#F9FCFD

neutral

neutral

off

white

#FFFFF

#FFFFF

06

Final Prototype

Final Prototype

This prototype brings Alex’s journey to life — from feeling stuck in surface-level interactions to capturing real, unfiltered moments that lead to better matches. Each flow was designed to help him express his personality, spark natural conversations, and connect without the pressure of perfection.

This prototype brings Alex’s journey to life — from feeling stuck in surface-level interactions to capturing real, unfiltered moments that lead to better matches. Each flow was designed to help him express his personality, spark natural conversations, and connect without the pressure of perfection.

06

Learnings

Learnings

Learnings

This project was more than just an introduction to UX—it was a turning point. I learned that good design isn’t just about aesthetics or features; it’s about listening deeply, challenging assumptions, and uncovering what users truly need.


Through interviews, affinity mapping, and iteration, I discovered how messy and human the design process can be—and how rewarding it is when things finally click. I realised that asking the right questions isn't just a research skill—it’s a mindset that now shapes how I approach every problem.

This case study is under construction.

Come back soon for the full story!

This case study is

under construction.

Stay in the loop!

This case study is under construction.

Come back soon for the full story!

© 2025 Now & About.

© 2025 Now & About.

© 2025 Now & About.

Product designer based in Singapore

Product designer based in Singapore