Final Touches
Testing with users
I tested the initial designs with 5 users to learn about their experience with the initial designs and note possible areas of improvement. I highlighted iterations on the onboarding, event browsing, and connection features that I designed.
Iteration #1
Iteration #2
Iteration #3
Iteration #4
Final Touches
Style Guide
I designed this to create cohesion across the wireframes. I chose the color coral to represent warmth and authentic connection . The palette was carefully curated to create a clean, safe, adn welcoming space for women to build genuine friendships
Background
Research
Making friends as an adult is hard. And lonely.
After college, career changes, and moves to new cities, women struggle to build genuine friendships. Existing apps don't provide the safety and intentionality women need to form lasting bonds.
Besties
I designed Besties, a women-only friendship app that connects users through shared interests and authentic values. I was the solo product designer for this project, which included designing the onboarding experiences, the event browsing and RSVP features, and post-event connection flows. I also spearheaded user research and created Besties’ design system.
ROLES
Product designer
TIMELINE
January 2025 - May 2025
TOOLS
Figma
SKILLS
User Research
Wireframes
Prototyping
Research
Target Users
Since young adult women aged 24-35 seeking platonic friendships prioritize authentic connection, I decided to focus on this user segment during user research.
Women aged 24 to 35 seeking platonic friendships
Research
User Interviews
I launched a survey and conducted interviews to learn more about what factors contributed to women feeling socially isolated and what they looked for when making friends as an adult.
Physical distance
Respondents mentioned physical distance from existing friends made them feel lonely and isolated
Hard to meet people
Because of their lifestyle and work situations, respondents weren’t encountering new people frequently to form connections
Safety concerns
Women expressed concerns about meeting strangers and wanted spaces designed specifically for platonic, women-only connections
I found that the majority of respondents prioritized shared interests and authentic values as key factors when finding friends, over other factors like age and location.
How might we build a community for women navigating adult friendships, somewhere they can connect through shared experiences authentically without fear?
Ideation
Seeing what’s on the market
I analyzed exisiting friendship and social connection platforms to understand their approaches and identify gaps in the market.
Bumble BFF
Make friends through 1:1 matching based on swipe decisions
MeetUp
Attend local events with shared interests across all demographics
RealRoots
Build deep community through structured 4-6 week commitment programs
Bumble BFF - The swipe-based matching felt transactional and did not facilitate natural community building. Quick connections feel superficial rather than intentional.
MeetUp - While event-based connections were promising, the platform lacked the safety and intentionality women specifically need. The broad demographic wasn’t optimized for women’s friendship needs.
RealRoots - The structured commitment created meaningful depth, but the 4-6 week program format was intimidating and preventing spontaneous connections that fit busy schedules.
Ideation
User interviews
I conducted user interviews to learn what factors were most important to building adult friendships.
“I want to meet people through activities we both enjoy, not awkward coffee dates.”
“I miss having a close group of girlfriends who really get me.”
“Safety is really important to me. I want to know who I’m meeting beforehand.”
Prioritization
Narrowing down the solution
Through the user interviews and journey mapping , I found that women valued both activity based connections and intentional matching. Leading to the decision to a friendship app that prioritizes safety and authentic connection for women.
Need to socialize
Shared interests and values
Women only app