Gigmatch App
In 2023, I started my journey pursuing a career in UX design, learning all I could about the industry. To apply the new skills I learnt during this time, I worked on this personal project. As a music lover who regularly attends live gigs, I noticed a disconnect in the live music scene post-COVID. This inspired a mobile app concept and passion project, aimed at helping music fans connect with others who share their tastes, encouraging meaningful, real-world connections through live events. I conducted user research and explored existing platforms to identify key pain points and user needs. These insights shaped the user flows and informed the app’s initial designs, which I'm excited to showcase below.
Year
2023
Role
UX Designer
THE PROBLEM
Many people are hesitant to return to large-scale events post-COVID, and individuals who want to attend music events are held back by not having someone to go with. This has affected music venues, whilst resulting in missed experiences.
At the same time, forming new, meaningful connections has become increasingly difficult in today’s digitalised world, contributing to a growing loneliness crisis, affecting people of all ages. In the UK alone, over 9 million people report feeling lonely either often or always – a figure that has increased since the pandemic.
THE GOAL
Create an app that matches users for music gigs, and gives them confidence in returning to live events.
1 | RESEARCH
Competitor Analysis
To understand the problem space I was working in, I analysed existing apps like Bandsintown and Songkick. These apps help users discover concerts nearby and notify them of upcoming gigs based on artists they follow.
Interviews
Interviews with family and friends who regularly attend live music events revealed that some had concerns around safety and the types of people they might meet with.
Some key quotes are below:
“I would consider going to a gig with a group of strangers, but not just one person, as that could be awkward”
“I wouldn’t be comfortable going to a gig with a stranger who was a lot older than me and of the opposite gender”
“I would want to know that others had a good time with the person i was matched with”
“I would want to know that it is safe to meet with them”
“Some people aren’t confident enough to meet with strangers, especially those who are already lonely”
2 | DEFINE
Personas
From my interviews, I identified collective thoughts, behaviours and pain points from the user groups I am designing for. This helped me create personas, such as Erica; the anxious dog owner.
3 | IDEATE
User Flows
I mapped out the user flow of the app, considering the common tasks flows highlighted in my research. These included:
Launching the app and making an account
Sending a match request
Receiving a match request
Choosing match preferences
4 | DESIGN
Wireframes
Through lo- and mid- fidelity wireframing, I explored different visual layouts. The user flows identified a lot of elements and information that needed to be included, so the challenge was how to encompass all this content within the app.
FINAL EXPERIENCE
FIND A MATCH
Users can search and explore events where they live, and show interest in the ones they want to attend. They can browse other users who are also interested, and send match requests to those who align with their preferences.
CONNECT
Review match requests and accept the ones to go to the gig with. The chat feature lets users start a conversation, coordinate ticket buying, and plan the meet up.
