The Ideal Experience of Dating
Class: SDES 215 – Contextual Research Methods (Winter 2024)
Skills Applied: UX Research, Observation, Sensory Cue Mapping, Interview Analysis, Framework Development
Focus: User Research, Emotional Design, Experience Mapping
Project Overview:
In this project, we explored how people define the “ideal” experience of dating. Using methods such as live observation, sensory cue mapping, and in-depth interviews, we gathered qualitative insights across age groups and relationship experiences. These techniques taught me how to understand and design for human emotion, values, and behavior.
Key Insight:
Our team identified three major emotional pillars that make up a fulfilling dating experience:
Feeling Loved (through intimacy, hope, and excitement)
Feeling Worthy (via prioritization, security, and independence)
Feeling Respected (with quality time, comfort, and equality)
From this framework, we developed Cupid’s Crate, a personalized love-language subscription box to encourage unplugged connection and mutual understanding between partners.
Reflection:
This course deepened my understanding of how context, environment, and emotion shape user experiences. It was my first introduction to designing with empathy at the core—not just solving problems, but understanding people. While I don’t have final visuals to show, this project transformed how I approach design research and laid the foundation for how I build emotionally intelligent products.
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