DOoROoD
1. Onboarding & Personalization
User’s Mindset:
“I want to meet people, but I’m nervous and not sure how this works.”
Outcome: The user feels guided and in control — ready to explore.
Design Support:
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Soothing colors and conversational copy build trust.
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Simple progress bar reduces friction.
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Minimal fields prevent fatigue.
Outcome: The user feels guided and in control — ready to explore.
2. Discover Nearby People & Places
User’s Mindset:
“Who’s around me? Maybe there’s someone interesting nearby.”
Design Support:
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Emphasis on context, not pressure — users see shared environments first, not just faces.
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Familiar map interactions make exploration fun and intuitive.
Outcome: The app feels like a discovery tool, not a dating app — curiosity replaces anxiety.
Objective
Dorod is a social icebreaker app designed to help newcomers, professionals, and shy individuals connect with people nearby and explore local places together.
Role
UX Researcher
System Design
Prototyping
Tools
Figma
Illustrator
Sketch
Photoshop
The Challenge
“People who feel isolated or shy struggle to start conversations with nearby individuals, leading to missed opportunities for connection.”
Next Step
The next step is to conduct market research to identify areas where we can have the most impact. Our goal is to create strong connections between different applications, build user trust, and establish a foundation for high returns. We will also focus on innovative features such as sharing moments through video messages. Additionally, with the help of AI, we aim to simplify multilingual conversations by enabling real-time translation, making communication seamless across different languages.
2. Break the Ice with Confidence
“Starting the first conversation shouldn’t be the hardest part.”
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Built-in Icebreaker Prompts help users begin chats naturally.
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AI-powered Suggestions recommend questions or topics based on shared interests.
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Multi-language Support with quick translations reduces language anxiety for newcomers.
💬 UX Impact: The fear of “what do I say?” is replaced by light, fun, and authentic interactions.
Connect Through shared Interests
What if meeting someone new could feel as easy as finding a place you both love?”
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Smart Matching – Dorod recommends nearby people who share interests, languages, or goals.
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Local Discovery Mode – Users can explore places where others are also open to meeting (cafés, parks, events).
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Intent Tags – People can set their mood or purpose (“Just chatting,” “Exploring,” “Looking for friends”) to align expectations upfront.
💬 UX Impact: Users no longer feel uncertain about who they’re meeting or why — interactions start with common ground.
Meeting new people nearby
Lack of confidence and language skills – Newcomers often feel shy or unsure how to start conversations in a new language
Exploring new places
Limited free time – Busy professionals have little time to meet new people but want to socialize during short breaks.
Breaking the ice through shared activities or questions
Difficulty starting conversations – Many people struggle to break the ice and initiate friendly dialogue.
How might we encourage authentic interactions by connecting people based on their goals, interests, and professions while making their free time more enjoyable?
4. Encourage Real-World Exploration
“Digital connection is only the first step — real memories happen offline.”
Explore Tab suggests trending spots or local events for meetups.
Meetup Planner allows users to coordinate safely within the app.
Gamified Exploration with badges and rewards for visiting new places encourages local discovery.
💬 UX Impact: The app becomes more than chat — it motivates users to connect meaningfully in real life.
3. Create Safe & Comfortable Connections
“Trust is the foundation of any real connection.”
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Verified Profiles add authenticity and reduce fake accounts.
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Privacy Controls let users choose who sees them and how precise their location appears.
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Safety Features like report/block ensure respectful interactions.
💬 UX Impact: Users feel secure and in control — essential for encouraging real-world meetups.
The solution
Research
My researches included interviews and questioner which is 30 persons with different ages and genders fill it up.
Personas
Insights
-Users feel shy or overthink interactions.
-Users want to meet people in familiar places
-Users value safety and control
-Users seek authentic connections, not small talk
Design Implication
-Design gentle, non-intimidating prompts
-Highlight shared locations and interests
-Add clear visibility and privacy settings
-Use mood/intention tags and shared activity suggestions
How Might We...
How might we?
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encourage people to have interactions? ( Design features that break the ice naturally — such as conversation prompts, shared interests, or mutual location cues — to lower social friction)
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breaking boundaries between people?( Encourage offline engagement by integrating local activity suggestions, meetup options, and shared exploration prompts within the app.)
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help people to to find right person base on their demands?(Leverage location-based connections — match users in familiar or favorite spots to make interactions feel natural and comfortable)
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connected people with same career? ( Build trust-centered design — verified profiles, adjustable location visibility, and strong moderation features to make users feel secure.)
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help people to enjoy their free time? ( Create a non-intimidating interface and communication flow. Offer tools like intent tags (“just chatting,” “exploring,” “making friends”) and guided icebreakers to set expectations and reduce anxiety.)
Design Principles
simplicity, emotional comfort, and authenticity.
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Easily to use and not be complicated
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access to link to other platforms for professional communications.
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High security and ask for sharing personal information.
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show what people want or need or think in the same time.
User Flow
Dorod’s experience is designed to feel calm, intuitive, and emotionally supportive, guiding users from curiosity → comfort → connection.
Each stage reflects both the user’s emotional state and the app’s design response.
3. Breaking the Ice
User’s Mindset:
“I like this person… but what do I say?”
Design Support:
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AI-assisted prompts reduce hesitation.
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Friendly emojis and light animations keep the tone casual.
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Typing suggestions nudge engagement without being intrusive.
Outcome: The hardest step — starting the first conversation — becomes fun and effortless.
4.Meeting in the Moment
User’s Mindset:
“I’m here at this café and chatting with someone who’s also nearby… maybe they’re here too?”
Design Support
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Contextual Awareness:
Integrating live location awareness helps users realize they share the same space — turning proximity into opportunity. -
Low-Pressure Prompts:
Instead of scheduling, Dorod encourages spontaneous, casual interactions — perfect for shy users who prefer natural moments. -
Safety-First Approach:
Friendly reminders and visible comfort cues build trust before real-world contact. -
Visual Cue:
A soft animated “You’re in the same place” glow or pin on the map adds a sense of connection without anxiety.
5. Connection & Reflection
User’s Mindset: “That was a nice experience — I want to do this again!”
Design Support:
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Positive reinforcement builds confidence.
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Light gamification (badges, streaks) encourages ongoing exploration.
Outcome: Users associate the app with real, meaningful progress — not digital fatigue.
Lo-Fi
Hi-Fi
Prototype
From the questions posed by other users, it seems that many find it difficult to make friends and often get lost in their thoughts, ignoring their surroundings. They believe that initiating a conversation with a stranger in the same location could be a good idea! Additionally, they think that finding friends in their favorite places might be a good approach.