Break down barriers to real
life encounters
Scope
Discovery + Delivery
Year
2024
Framework
What is Happn?
Created in 2014, Happn is a location-based dating app that distinguishes itself from other dating apps by focusing on connecting users who have physically crossed paths in real life.
It aims to facilitate connections based on real-life encounters, potentially leading to more spontaneous interactions.
Created in 2014, Happn is a location-based dating app
that distinguishes itself from other dating apps by focusing
on connecting users who have physically crossed paths in
real-life. It aims to facilitate connections based on real-life
encounters, potentially leading to more spontaneous
interactions.
Brief > Make the “ready to date” users go from
online to real-life.
Experience
> Create a more human, personal touch and foster
face-to-face interactions
Location
> Enable users to select a meeting location according to their preferences and availability
Safety
> Ensure users meet under optimal safety conditions
Challenge
With the scope ranging from Discovery to Delivery, we had
to solve the following issue:
How to encourage Crushers to go on dates in
real-life ?
User Research
Through semi-structured qualitative interviews, we aimed to
delve into the motivations and challenges users face when it comes to real-world interactions.
Through semi-structured qualitative interviews, we aimed
to delve into the motivations and challenges users face
when it comes to real-world interactions.
Main objectives
> Understanding what enables engagement between two crushers
> Understanding the motivations and barriers to dating
> Understanding how do crushers arrange their upcoming meetup
Panel
> 2 women - 2 men
> 25 - 32 years old
> Dating app users
Insights
3/4
Users are looking for a safe place,
nearby, that matches interests.
Why?
They prioritize feeling secure and having the ability to create
a more personal experience.
"Something simple but fun, that makes me more interested
than a traditional little restaurant."
Emma
3/4
Users are concerned about trust when using dating apps.
Why?
They want to ensure the authenticity of the information they
have in order to feel safe during a physical date.
"My girlfriends and I use coded messages in case anything
unusual happens, we make sure of each other's safety."
Emma
3/4
Users are looking for a safe place,
nearby, that matches interests.
Why?
They prioritize feeling secure and having the ability to create
a more personal experience.
"Something simple but fun, that makes me more interested
than a traditional little restaurant."
Emma
3/4
Users are concerned about trust when using dating apps.
Why?
They want to ensure the authenticity of the information they
have in order to feel safe during a physical date.
"My girlfriends and I use coded messages in case anything
unusual happens, we make sure of each other's safety."
Emma
Revisited challenge
How to make the physical dating experience safe, authentic, and relevant?
Metrics to impact
Date proposal acceptation
Increase by 5%
Positive activity likers
Increase by 10%
Benchmark
Comparative analysis
By benchmarking direct and indirect competitors, we analysed their features, user experience, and market positioning.
This allowed us to identify opportunities for differentiation and innovation, to create new features and enhance our product.
By benchmarking direct and indirect competitors,
we analysed their features, user experience, and market positioning. This allowed us to identify opportunities for differentiation and innovation, to create new features
and enhance our product.
Features
Dating app Tinder offers
users tools to ensure a safer experience: thorough profile verification with photo and passport checks, access to user reviews, and the ability to share, block, and report profiles deemed suspicious.
Dating app Bumble
provides engaging features like games, GIFs, and camera/voice options to facilitate user connections. AI assistance is also available.
Car rental app Getaround enables users to view and choose from vehicles available at a designated area. Users can also access photographs and reviews provided by previous renters.
The benchmark provided us with inspiring ideas that significantly boosted our project
Profile verification
Safe place
Reviews
AI
Games
Camera/Voice options
Map
History
Ideation
Co-creation workshop
We started with a brainstorming session using a mind map. Next, we narrowed down our ideas through a 'crazy 8' and then visualized them with storyboards.
We started with a brainstorming session using a mind
map. Next, we narrowed down our ideas through a 'crazy 8'
and then visualized them with storyboards.
Solution V1
1. Dating preferences, shared interests
and safety.
We created a feature to view the common interests and dating preferences of both 'crushers', to facilitate exchanges, with the aim of a physical meeting. We also ensure safety by triple-checking each user's information.
We created a feature to view the common interests
and dating preferences of both 'crushers', to facilitate
exchanges, with the aim of a physical meeting.
We also ensure safety by triple-checking each user's
information.
Objectives
📢 Facilitate communication
🥂 Enhance trust
🛟 Reinforce safety
2. Games, AI-powered help and more.
We implemented games, Gifs, camera and voice features…, and AI assistance within the messenger platform, to foster interactions between the crushers.
We implemented games, Gifs, camera and voice features…,
and AI assistance within the messenger platform, to foster interactions between the crushers.
Objectives
📢 Facilitate communication
💘 Foster interactions
🏆 Create desire
3. Look for a place that crushers are both
likely to enjoy.
To help users find ideal date spots, we developed a feature that suggests locations based on profiles, including where they first met or other options, enhanced with Happn's 'safe place' picks and community reviews.
To help users find ideal date spots, we developed a feature
that suggests locations based on profiles, including where they first met or other options, enhanced with Happn's 'safe place'
picks and community reviews.
Objectives
📢 Facilitate communication
💘 Foster interactions
🛟 Reinforce safety
User Testing
In order to validate that our solution was intuitive and met our
objectives, we conducted User Testing.
We adjusted the product to align with user requirements.
Through semi-structured qualitative interviews, we aimed
to delve into the motivations and challenges users face
when it comes to real-world interactions.
Main objectives
> Evaluate understanding of dating preferences and shared interests
> Validate elements of reassurance related to the security
> Analyse the effectiveness of our date planner in facilitating the date
Panel
> 2 women - 2 men
> 25 - 32 years old
> Dating app users
Iteration
We kept the ‘Interests’ and 'Dating preferences' sections but changed the button 'Start a discussion' to make it clearer and obvious.
3/4
Users enjoy to see common interests and dating preferences.
"It's great to see common interests and dating preferences, it reassures about the future meeting."
Julie
V1
V2
We removed the 'Date' feature and changed the options to select a place. We also made the 'safe place' badge more obvious.
V1
V2
4/4
Users want control over choosing the date and sending the invitation.
"I love the fact that there are suggested places, but for the date, I want to discuss directly with my crush."
Emma
We took away the automatic request and moved it in the chat area, giving users the freedom to send it at their convenience.
V1
V2
We removed the AI icon (stars),
placed a hook generator and a GIF one as well.
4/4
Users dislike the AI feature, finding it too rigid for a human connection.
"I don't understand the AI button with the stars, the idea of using AI for a human relationship feels robotic."
Aboud
V1
V2
Solution V2
Prototype
Your name is Manon... You're on Happn, swiping through guys' profiles, and you and Fred have a crush… He has the profile of the person you're looking for!
Your name is Manon... You're on Happn, swiping through
guys' profiles, and you and Fred have a crush… He has the
profile of the person you're looking for!
9:41
9:41
9:41
9:41
Framework
What is Happn?
Created in 2014, Happn is a location-based dating app that distinguishes itself from other dating apps by focusing on connecting users who have physically crossed paths in real-life.
It aims to facilitate connections based on real-life encounters, potentially leading to more spontaneous interactions.
Brief > Make the “ready to date” users go from online to real-life.
Experience
> Create a more human, personal touch and foster face-to-face interactions
Location
> Enable users to select a meeting location according to their preferences and availability
Safety
> Ensure users meet under optimal safety conditions
Challenge
With the scope ranging from Discovery to Delivery, we had to solve the following issue:
How to encourage Crushers to go on dates in real-life ?
Solution
Prototype
Your name is Manon... You're on Happn, swiping through guys' profiles, and you and Fred have a crush… He has the profile of the person you're looking for!
More?
Watch the full case on Desktop.
2025 ® Sébastien Delahaye
I am always exploring
work opportunities
Break down
barriers to real-life
encounters
Framework
What is Happn?
Created in 2014, Happn is a location-based dating app that distinguishes itself from other dating apps by focusing on connecting users who have physically crossed paths in real-life.
It aims to facilitate connections based on real-life encounters, potentially leading to more spontaneous interactions.
Solution
Prototype
Your name is Manon... You're on Happn, swiping through guys' profiles, and you and Fred have a crush… He has the profile of the person you're looking for!
Challenge
How to encourage Crushers to go on dates in real-life ?
With the scope ranging from Discovery to Delivery, we had to solve the following issue:
Brief > Make the “ready to date” users go from online to real-life.
Experience
> Create a more human, personal touch and foster face-to-face interactions
Location
> Enable users to select a meeting location according to their preferences and availability
Safety
> Ensure users meet under optimal safety conditions
9:41
Break down barriers to real
life encounters
Scope
Discovery + Delivery
Year
2024
Promote consideration and
acquisition of new users
Promote consideration
and acquisition of
new users
I am always exploring
work opportunities
More?
Watch the full case on Desktop
I am always exploring
work opportunities
Framework
What is Happn?
Created in 2014, Happn is a location-based dating app that distinguishes itself from other dating apps by focusing on connecting users who have physically crossed paths in real life.
It aims to facilitate connections based on real-life encounters, potentially leading to more spontaneous interactions.
Brief > Make the “ready to date” users go from
online to real-life.
Experience
> Create a more human, personal touch and foster
face-to-face interactions
Location
> Enable users to select a meeting location according to their preferences and availability
Safety
> Ensure users meet under optimal safety conditions
Challenge
With the scope ranging from Discovery to Delivery, we had
to solve the following issue:
How to encourage Crushers to go on dates in
real-life ?
User Research
Through semi-structured qualitative interviews, we aimed to
delve into the motivations and challenges users face when it comes to real-world interactions.
Main objectives
> Understanding what enables engagement between two crushers
> Understanding the motivations and barriers to dating
> Understanding how do crushers arrange their upcoming meetup
Panel
> 2 women - 2 men
> 25 - 32 years old
> Dating app users
Insights
3/4
Users are looking for a safe place,
nearby, that matches interests.
Why?
They prioritize feeling secure and having the ability to create
a more personal experience.
"Something simple but fun, that makes me more interested
than a traditional little restaurant."
Emma
3/4
Users are concerned about trust when using dating apps.
Why?
They want to ensure the authenticity of the information they
have in order to feel safe during a physical date.
"My girlfriends and I use coded messages in case anything
unusual happens, we make sure of each other's safety."
Emma
Revisited challenge
How to make the physical dating experience safe, authentic, and relevant?
Metrics to impact
Date proposal acceptation
Increase by 5%
Positive activity likers
Increase by 10%
Benchmark
Comparative analysis
By benchmarking direct and indirect competitors, we analysed their features, user experience, and market positioning.
This allowed us to identify opportunities for differentiation and innovation, to create new features and enhance our product.
Features
Dating app Tinder offers
users tools to ensure a safer experience: thorough profile verification with photo and passport checks, access to user reviews, and the ability to share, block, and report profiles deemed suspicious.
Dating app Bumble
provides engaging features like games, GIFs, and camera/voice options to facilitate user connections. AI assistance is also available.Car rental app Getaround enables users to view and choose from vehicles available at a designated area. Users can also access photographs and reviews provided by previous renters.
The benchmark provided us with inspiring ideas that significantly boosted our project
Profile verification
Safe place
Reviews
AI
Games
Camera/Voice options
Map
History
Ideation
Co-creation workshop
We started with a brainstorming session using a mind map. Next, we narrowed down our ideas through a 'crazy 8' and then visualized them with storyboards.
Solution V1
1. Dating preferences, shared interests
and safety.
We created a feature to view the common interests and dating preferences of both 'crushers', to facilitate exchanges, with the aim of a physical meeting. We also ensure safety by triple-checking each user's information.
Objectives
📢 Facilitate communication
🥂 Enhance trust
🛟 Reinforce safety
2. Games, AI-powered help and more.
We implemented games, Gifs, camera and voice features…, and AI assistance within the messenger platform, to foster interactions between the crushers.
Objectives
📢 Facilitate communication
💘 Foster interactions
🏆 Create desire
3. Look for a place that crushers are both
likely to enjoy.
To help users find ideal date spots, we developed a feature that suggests locations based on profiles, including where they first met or other options, enhanced with Happn's 'safe place' picks and community reviews.
Objectives
📢 Facilitate communication
💘 Foster interactions
🛟 Reinforce safety
User Testing
In order to validate that our solution was intuitive and met our
objectives, we conducted User Testing.
We adjusted the product to align with user requirements.
Main objectives
> Evaluate understanding of dating preferences and shared interests
> Validate elements of reassurance related to the security
> Analyse the effectiveness of our date planner in facilitating the date
Panel
> 2 women - 2 men
> 25 - 32 years old
> Dating app users
Iteration
We kept the ‘Interests’ and 'Dating preferences' sections but changed the button 'Start a discussion' to make it clearer and obvious.
3/4
Users enjoy to see common interests and dating preferences.
"It's great to see common interests and dating preferences, it reassures about the future meeting."
Julie
V1
V2
We removed the 'Date' feature and changed the options to select a place. We also made the 'safe place' badge more obvious.
V1
V2
4/4
Users want control over choosing the date and sending the invitation.
"I love the fact that there are suggested places, but for the date, I want to discuss directly with my crush."
Emma
We took away the automatic request and moved it in the chat area, giving users the freedom to send it at their convenience.
V1
V2
We removed the AI icon (stars),
placed a hook generator and a GIF one as well.
4/4
Users dislike the AI feature, finding it too rigid for a human connection.
"I don't understand the AI button with the stars, the idea of using AI for a human relationship feels robotic."
Aboud
V1
V2
Solution V2
Prototype
Your name is Manon... You're on Happn, swiping through guys' profiles, and you and Fred have a crush… He has the profile of the person you're looking for!
9:41
9:41
Framework
What is Happn?
Created in 2014, Happn is a location-based dating app that distinguishes itself from other dating apps by focusing on connecting users who have physically crossed paths in real-life.
It aims to facilitate connections based on real-life encounters, potentially leading to more spontaneous interactions.
Brief > Make the “ready to date” users go from online to real-life.
Experience
> Create a more human, personal touch and foster face-to-face interactions
Location
> Enable users to select a meeting location according to their preferences and availability
Safety
> Ensure users meet under optimal safety conditions
Challenge
With the scope ranging from Discovery to Delivery, we had to solve the following issue:
How to encourage Crushers to go on dates in real-life ?
Solution
Prototype
Your name is Manon... You're on Happn, swiping through guys' profiles, and you and Fred have a crush… He has the profile of the person you're looking for!
More?
Watch the full case on Desktop.
2025 ® Sébastien Delahaye
I am always exploring
work opportunities
Break down
barriers to real-life
encounters
Framework
What is Happn?
Created in 2014, Happn is a location-based dating app that distinguishes itself from other dating apps by focusing on connecting users who have physically crossed paths in real-life.
It aims to facilitate connections based on real-life encounters, potentially leading to more spontaneous interactions.
Solution
Prototype
Your name is Manon... You're on Happn, swiping through guys' profiles, and you and Fred have a crush… He has the profile of the person you're looking for!
Challenge
How to encourage Crushers to go on dates in real-life ?
With the scope ranging from Discovery to Delivery, we had to solve the following issue:
Brief > Make the “ready to date” users go from online to real-life.
Experience
> Create a more human, personal touch and foster face-to-face interactions
Location
> Enable users to select a meeting location according to their preferences and availability
Safety
> Ensure users meet under optimal safety conditions
9:41
Break down barriers to real
life encounters
Scope
Discovery + Delivery
Year
2024
Promote consideration and
acquisition of new users
Promote consideration
and acquisition of
new users
I am always exploring
work opportunities
More?
Watch the full case on Desktop
I am always exploring
work opportunities