Solving high-impact product problems for an early-stage social app

Background

Zate began as an Austin, TX-based dating app where you post what you want to do—a Zate—and see who wants to join you. The idea formed in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, when people were hungry for connection—to get out and enjoy fun activities with people 

I was involved from the earliest stages, helping shape the product vision, conducting user research, and developing early wireframes. Another designer translated that work into the first App Store release.

By the time I took a leadership role, the product had been live for 18 months and had thousands of downloads, but had issues with user retention.

I led a redesign to improve both the visual experience and the UX across the app, while responding to user feedback to broaden Zate’s scope to help people find friends, discover events, and purchase tickets.