Relate is the concept for a localized socialization app.
In 2017, my classmate John commissioned me to create these mock-ups for an app idea he was planning on pitching to our high school’s version of Shark Tank, dubbed Crane Tank because our mascot was the Cranes. Winners of the event would receive a cash reward of some sort intended to help bring student ideas to fruition. At the time, I didn’t even know what “official” prototypes were supposed to have, but it was fun to take on a different kind of project and put my Adobe Illustrator skills to the test. I didn’t know tools like Sketch or Figma even existed. In the end, Relate became runner-up in Crane Tank.
Mock-up of the login page for the Relate app. Made in Adobe Illustrator.
The design for this app took inspiration from a popular swipe-based dating app (you guessed it: Tinder) and from Facebook. It’s a platform for people to find and make new connections with people they could potentially relate with, and more specifically, share mutual interests with.
I quite liked the app concept because it capitalizes on a behavioral trend that’s in plain sight—people often bond quickly and and more easily through hobbies and passions, whether that be sports, games, music, real estate, etc. Some apps on the market are similar in that they help people of similar color or ethnic background meet each other. I think Relate was cool because it’s a platform for people to find and make new connections with other people they may several things in common with, but would otherwise not know without meeting and talking first.
Relate tab-view
Mock-up of the recommendation tab, featuring the view of another user’s profile. As shown, this would see the other user’s name, age, status, mutual interests with the viewer, activity, and proximity.
My Profile tab-view
Users have the option of adding as many interests as they want to their profile and can decide whether to display personal info such as age and location, which the app would hypothetically use to suggest potential friends on the app to.
Some more features
Users can post updates on their wall for friends to see or message people directly. Posting on their wall allows them to reach a broader audience while messaging people directly creates an opportunity for closeness.
The app also features an Events page, which recommends events based on a user’s personal interests and/or what their friends are interested in.
Looking back…
Given that I knew little about the field of UX, let alone did I know what UX even was, I have to say I’m proud of these little Adobe Illustrator mock-ups. At the time, I struggled to even identify what to call them—mock-ups? prototypes? concept art? Thankfully, I now know what the difference is. If I were to go back and change anything, I’d remake it in Figma or Sketch and generate a real prototype. And, I’d probably find a better font.