Skill Swap
Lead UX/UI Designer & Researcher
Role
Tools
Figma
Microsoft Powerpoint
Adobe Illustrator
Maze
Skill based social app
Figma
App
User Research
Microsoft Office
Many social and dating apps rely on surface-level matching systems that often lead to shallow conversations and short-term engagement.
Users needed a better way to connect through shared goals, hobbies, and personal growth.
Problem
Design a social platform that encourages deeper, more rewarding connections through learning and skill sharing.
The experience should help users discover others with mutual interests while making conversations easier to start naturally.
Objective
Skill Swap is a social matching app designed to help users build meaningful connections through shared skills and interests. Instead of relying on traditional dating app swiping, the platform matches users based on what they want to learn and teach.
Target users are adults ages 18–40 who want more intentional ways to connect.
Overview
Overview
Research
Research included user interviews, surveys, competitor analysis, personas, and usability testing.
Key Insights
Users wanted more meaningful ways to connect
Many users struggle starting conversations
Shared interests create stronger engagement
Users valued both learning and teaching skills
Too many matches can feel overwhelming
Miranda May - 18
New College student wanting to explore new hobbies and meet new people on campus.
Trey Smith - 29
Photographer fustrated with traditional dating apps that promote superficial connections.
Research → Personas → Wireframes → Prototype → Testing → Iteration
I designed a social matching experience centered around personal growth and skill exchange.
The final concept included:
Matches based on skills users want to learn or teach
Curated feed focused on quality connections
Ideation
User Testing and Iteration
Findings
Message access was unclear
Successful matches needed better visibility
The “swap” concept needed stronger explanation
Header navigation became lost while scrolling
Usability testing and peer reviews were conducted to evaluate navigation and clarity.
Improvements Made
Improved messaging flow
Clarified how swaps work
Refined navigation behavior
Reduced visual clutter in messaging areas
Impact & Relection
Skill Swap reimagines how users form connections by focusing on growth, shared interests, and collaboration.
The concept encourages deeper interactions and more lasting engagement than traditional swipe-based platforms.
This project reinforced the importance of testing ideas early and often. User feedback revealed several blind spots during prototyping and showed how small usability issues can greatly affect the overall experience.