CloseBy

CloseBy is a mobile dating app designed to help people meet locally through shared interests.
Instead of endless swiping, CloseBy encourages real-life connection through nearby events, activities, and communities. I created this concept as a UX/UI design project to explore location-based matching, community-driven social features, and warm, approachable visual design.

Role

This was a solo project.

Research and proposals

Problem:

Most dating apps today focus heavily on appearance-based swiping and long-distance matches.
Users often report:

  • Matches who live too far away

  • Superficial interactions

  • Difficulty transitioning to real-life dates

  • Repetitive, swipe-based fatigue

  • Safety and privacy concerns

Users want more meaningful, more natural, and more local ways to meet people.

Solution:

CloseBy helps users meet people locally through shared interests by combining dating with nearby events, activities, and privacy-first matching.

Design Process

1. Discovery & Research
I began by exploring the pain points of modern dating apps. Through competitive analysis and informal user conversations, several themes emerged:

  • Swiping fatigue

  • Matches too far away

  • Lack of shared interests

  • Discomfort meeting strangers one-to-one
    This research highlighted an opportunity for a more natural, locally-grounded approach to dating.

2. Define
From the insights, I articulated the core problem statement and project goals. The guiding question became:
“How might we create an experience where people can meet others nearby through activities they genuinely enjoy?”

3. Ideation
I brainstormed solutions involving:

  • Local events

  • Matching through shared interests

  • Privacy-first profiles

  • A dashboard that blends dating with real-life discovery
    Sketches explored how these features could fit together into a cohesive system.

4. Information Architecture & User Flows
I mapped out flows for:

  • Onboarding

  • Location setup

  • Event discovery

  • Match interactions

  • Profile completion
    This ensured a smooth journey from signing up to attending real events.

5. Wireframing
Low-fidelity screens focused on hierarchy, clarity, and usability. Early decisions included card-based layouts and a simplified navigation bar.

6. Visual Design
I created CloseBy’s visual identity using:

  • A warm orange–pink gradient for emotional approachability

  • Rounded components for softness

  • Clean iconography and typography

  • Depth through subtle shadows
    The aim was to differentiate CloseBy from the colder, more transactional feel of traditional dating apps.

7. Prototyping & Iteration
I produced a clickable prototype and refined:

  • Button hierarchy

  • Gradient consistency

  • Card spacing

  • Interaction cues
    These refinements improved the overall usability and flow.

High Fidelity Prototypes

  • Developed polished UI mockups using a masculine yet approachable aesthetic

  • Designed for accessibility, clarity, and mobile use under low-attention conditions
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