Hey there !

I am Jay Awasthi. Last summer, I was very enthusiastic to participate in Nights and Weekends S5 and coincidentally my brother got an interesting idea to change the current dating apps. This story describes our journey of making this idea, a reality. Enjoy reading !

Most dating apps today feel boring and repetitive. People swipe left and right based only on photos, without really knowing if they share interests or values. This makes it hard to find a real connection.

Young users, especially teens, want something fun, engaging, and different from the usual dating apps. They don’t just want to judge people by looks — they want to connect over shared interests.

We came up with a great idea of using Quests (short time quizzes) to match individuals based on their interests in movies, dating preferences, etc. The plan was to create an app where 100 people participate in a quest, receive their matches, and have conversations with each other for a day. After 24 hours, both individuals can choose whether to view each other’s profiles or end their connection.

To understand what our users wanted, I conducted surveys and spoke to many people. I also explored other dating apps such as Bumble and Hinge to identify their strengths. Through this research, I discovered that users desire an enjoyable method of finding matches — beyond merely swiping on pictures. They also appreciate user-friendly and visually appealing apps. Armed with this knowledge, I created straightforward profiles of our typical users to inform the design of playDates.

At this stage I created a user flow, information architecture and wireframe.

The information architecture can be broken down into three main sections:

1. Account Creation

Phone Number or Email Entry: Users can sign up using their phone number or email, similar to Hinge’s straightforward approach.

Verification: A verification code is sent to ensure security and authenticity.

2. Personal Details Collection

Name and Date of Birth: Collecting basic information helps in creating a personalized experience.

Profile Photos: Users are prompted to upload a few clear photos, emphasizing authenticity.

3. Interactive Quests Introduction

Users are introduced to the concept of “Quests,” interactive quizzes designed to assess interests and preferences. This feature draws inspiration from Hinge’s focus on meaningful connections through detailed profiles.

4. Privacy and Security Assurance

Clear information is provided on data usage and privacy policies, addressing common concerns and building trust.

We designed the Quiz Arena as a gamified matchmaking experience:

Live countdowns keep anticipation high for the next round.

Dynamic leaderboards reward quick thinking and originality.

Shared participation windows ensure you and potential matches are online at the same time, making chats feel instant and natural.

Instead of scrolling profiles endlessly, the Quiz Arena gives users a shared experience, a conversation starter, and a reason to come back multiple times a day. It transforms dating from something you passively browse into something you actively play.

In playDates, your profile isn’t just a static page, it’s your stage. The Profile section is designed with a bold, card-style layout that keeps your personality front and center. Changing your details is as fun and intuitive as swiping right: tap on your profile picture to swap it out with a new snapshot, update your bio in-line without navigating through endless menus, and even highlight your recent “quest” achievements to make your matches curious.

Photos update in real time, and the UI responds with subtle animations — a gentle zoom when you upload, a color pop when you save — reinforcing the app’s playful yet sleek personality. Every element, from typography to button shapes, complements the overall brand: bright, approachable, and slightly cheeky.

The goal? To make profile editing feel less like filling out a form and more like customizing your avatar in a game. Because in playDates, you’re not just finding matches — you’re building your own interactive dating story.

In a world where dating apps often feel like endless scrolling, playDates dares to make connection playful again. Whether you’re answering quirky questions in the Quiz Arena or curating your profile to reflect your true self, every tap is designed to spark curiosity, laughter, and genuine conversation.

Because at the end of the day, love isn’t found in a list — it’s found in the moments we share.