BUZZ Signal
BUZZ Signal
Bumble is a social app designed to help people find connections through its dating, friendship, and professional networking modes. This project explores how Bumble could extend its mission through integrating precision location notifications.
Duration:
2 months
Client:
Bumble
Type:
Product, Interaction Design, iOS
Year:
2025
Challenge
I was given a design brief, functional specifications, and user data from Bumble to design a screen-based application that leverages precise location notifications to increase premium subscriptions.
While feasible, the original brief treated proximity as a technical feature rather than a human experience. Passive alerts alone risked feeling intrusive and lacked the context or intent needed to spark meaningful connection.
Moving beyond surface-level engagement, I reframed the challenge around a deeper question:
How might we enable real-world meetups through location-based features in a way that gives users control, clarity, and confidence over when and how they engage?
Challenge
I was given a design brief, functional specifications, and user data from Bumble to design a screen-based application that leverages precise location notifications to increase premium subscriptions.
While feasible, the original brief treated proximity as a technical feature rather than a human experience. Passive alerts alone risked feeling intrusive and lacked the context or intent needed to spark meaningful connection.
Moving beyond surface-level engagement, I reframed the challenge around a deeper question:
How might we enable real-world meetups through location-based features in a way that gives users control, clarity, and confidence over when and how they engage?
Challenge
I was given a design brief, functional specifications, and user data from Bumble to design a screen-based application that leverages precise location notifications to increase premium subscriptions.
While feasible, the original brief treated proximity as a technical feature rather than a human experience. Passive alerts alone risked feeling intrusive and lacked the context or intent needed to spark meaningful connection.
Moving beyond surface-level engagement, I reframed the challenge around a deeper question:
How might we enable real-world meetups through location-based features in a way that gives users control, clarity, and confidence over when and how they engage?
Solution
BUZZ takes the approach of targeting spontaneous young adults who are down for casual, real-world activities, to transform online matches into user-initiated in person engagement.
Activity-Oriented Opt-In
Users start by indicating availability for specific activities: coffee, fitness, yoga classes, co-working, etc.
From here, users define intent through details like duration, availability, energy level, and Bumble-approved venues, creating clearer expectations and safer, more compatible offline connections.
Map-based Discovery
BUZZ integrates with a map feature to suggest nearby events started by other Bumble users around the area.
Users can quickly select and show up in person all within one app, lowering barriers to action and increasing follow-through from intent to meetup.
Real-Time Notifications
When users agree on an activity, BUZZ activates a Dynamic Island live activity that shows each participant’s real-time progress toward the meetup location.
The same information is translated to a lock Screen widget that shows live meetup status and participant progress at a glance.
By keeping updates visible outside the app, the widget reinforces shared commitment while minimizing interruptions and notification fatigue.
Solution
BUZZ takes the approach of targeting spontaneous young adults who are down for casual, real-world activities, to transform online matches into user-initiated in person engagement.
Activity-Oriented Opt-In
Users start by indicating availability for specific activities: coffee, fitness, yoga classes, co-working, etc.
From here, users define intent through details like duration, availability, energy level, and Bumble-approved venues, creating clearer expectations and safer, more compatible offline connections.
Map-based Discovery
BUZZ integrates with a map feature to suggest nearby events started by other Bumble users around the area.
Users can quickly select and show up in person all within one app, lowering barriers to action and increasing follow-through from intent to meetup.
Real-Time Notifications
When users agree on an activity, BUZZ activates a Dynamic Island live activity that shows each participant’s real-time progress toward the meetup location.
The same information is translated to a lock Screen widget that shows live meetup status and participant progress at a glance.
By keeping updates visible outside the app, the widget reinforces shared commitment while minimizing interruptions and notification fatigue.
Solution
BUZZ takes the approach of targeting spontaneous young adults who are down for casual, real-world activities, to transform online matches into user-initiated in person engagement.
Activity-Oriented Opt-In
Users start by indicating availability for specific activities: coffee, fitness, yoga classes, co-working, etc.
From here, users define intent through details like duration, availability, energy level, and Bumble-approved venues, creating clearer expectations and safer, more compatible offline connections.
Map-based Discovery
BUZZ integrates with a map feature to suggest nearby events started by other Bumble users around the area.
Users can quickly select and show up in person all within one app, lowering barriers to action and increasing follow-through from intent to meetup.
Real-Time Notifications
When users agree on an activity, BUZZ activates a Dynamic Island live activity that shows each participant’s real-time progress toward the meetup location.
The same information is translated to a lock Screen widget that shows live meetup status and participant progress at a glance.
By keeping updates visible outside the app, the widget reinforces shared commitment while minimizing interruptions and notification fatigue.
Research
Taking a step back, before I dove into the design, I first developed an understanding of the target users, analyzed the competitive landscape beyond dating apps, and evaluated past data.
Notably, I was able to draw trends from adoption, retention, and engagement data from existing Bumble features, including Proximity Alerts and Map Integration, across multiple cities and user groups (Dating, Friends, Professional Network).
Some key takeaways:
99% Mobile Usage
BUZZ is designed as a mobile-first experience, with an added watch interface for instant notifications and "one-tap" confirmations.
Passive proximity alerts were not enough to sustain ongoing engagement.
BUZZ addresses this by making interactions activity-driven: shifted from "nearby" alerts to shared activities to drive repeat engagement.
BFF Users Convert Best
BUZZ optimizes the flow for casual, spontaneous fun rather than professional networking.
Research
Taking a step back, before I dove into the design, I first developed an understanding of the target users, analyzed the competitive landscape beyond dating apps, and evaluated past data.
Notably, I was able to draw trends from adoption, retention, and engagement data from existing Bumble features, including Proximity Alerts and Map Integration, across multiple cities and user groups (Dating, Friends, Professional Network).
Some key takeaways:
99% Mobile Usage
BUZZ is designed as a mobile-first experience, with an added watch interface for instant notifications and "one-tap" confirmations.
Passive proximity alerts were not enough to sustain ongoing engagement.
BUZZ addresses this by making interactions activity-driven: shifted from "nearby" alerts to shared activities to drive repeat engagement.
BFF Users Convert Best
BUZZ optimizes the flow for casual, spontaneous fun rather than professional networking.
Research
Taking a step back, before I dove into the design, I first developed an understanding of the target users, analyzed the competitive landscape beyond dating apps, and evaluated past data.
Notably, I was able to draw trends from adoption, retention, and engagement data from existing Bumble features, including Proximity Alerts and Map Integration, across multiple cities and user groups (Dating, Friends, Professional Network).
Some key takeaways:
99% Mobile Usage
BUZZ is designed as a mobile-first experience, with an added watch interface for instant notifications and "one-tap" confirmations.
Passive proximity alerts were not enough to sustain ongoing engagement.
BUZZ addresses this by making interactions activity-driven: shifted from "nearby" alerts to shared activities to drive repeat engagement.
BFF Users Convert Best
BUZZ optimizes the flow for casual, spontaneous fun rather than professional networking.
Design Explorations
To align every decision with Bumble’s mission, I developed product-specific design principles:
User-controlled proximity
Glanceable, low-pressure discovery
Lower friction to real-world action
Through numerous iterations, I focused on making the visual and interaction language feel delightful and intuitive to help the concept come through. Here are 3 meaningful explorations I’d like to talk through.
Feature Integration
To address the adoption and discovery challenges, I experimented with adding an advertisement upon app opening, and an opening animation within the feature page for more detailed onboarding steps.
Mirroring Bumble BFF's existing promotional material and design system, I created a mock up of onboarding animation.
Ultimately, I decided to proceed with exploring further the in-page onboarding to make the feature feel more native and integrated into Bumble.
Bottom Nav Bar
To ensure an intuitive user flow that felt familiar and well-connected, I experimented with different entry points in the bottom navigation for BUZZ.
Considering the priorities of Bumble's features and the already crowded existing nav bar, the first two explorations risk breaking the retention loop of Bumble's main matching feature.
Since Discovery & BUZZ serve a similar core purpose, I settled on this version to maintain overall visual balance and minimize friction change.
Loading Screen Animation
In the context of BUZZ, I added supportive iconography and microcopy, helping users understand the purpose of the loading moment within BUZZ to build trust and transparency.
To make the transition serve a clear visual and functional purpose, I used the loading screen as an opportunity to incorporate soft pulses & gradients to create a calming mood and reassurance.
Scroll Details
Feel free to flip through my explore Figma file for more process :)
Design Explorations
To align every decision with Bumble’s mission, I developed product-specific design principles:
User-controlled proximity
Glanceable, low-pressure discovery
Lower friction to real-world action
Through numerous iterations, I focused on making the visual and interaction language feel delightful and intuitive to help the concept come through. Here are 3 meaningful explorations I’d like to talk through.
Feature Integration
To address the adoption and discovery challenges, I experimented with adding an advertisement upon app opening, and an opening animation within the feature page for more detailed onboarding steps.
Mirroring Bumble BFF's existing promotional material and design system, I created a mock up of onboarding animation.
Ultimately, I decided to proceed with exploring further the in-page onboarding to make the feature feel more native and integrated into Bumble.
Bottom Nav Bar
To ensure an intuitive user flow that felt familiar and well-connected, I experimented with different entry points in the bottom navigation for BUZZ.
Considering the priorities of Bumble's features and the already crowded existing nav bar, the first two explorations risk breaking the retention loop of Bumble's main matching feature.
Since Discovery & BUZZ serve a similar core purpose, I settled on this version to maintain overall visual balance and minimize friction change.
Loading Screen Animation
In the context of BUZZ, I added supportive iconography and microcopy, helping users understand the purpose of the loading moment within BUZZ to build trust and transparency.
To make the transition serve a clear visual and functional purpose, I used the loading screen as an opportunity to incorporate soft pulses & gradients to create a calming mood and reassurance.
Scroll Details
Feel free to flip through my explore Figma file for more process :)
Design Explorations
To align every decision with Bumble’s mission, I developed product-specific design principles:
User-controlled proximity
Glanceable, low-pressure discovery
Lower friction to real-world action
Through numerous iterations, I focused on making the visual and interaction language feel delightful and intuitive to help the concept come through. Here are 3 meaningful explorations I’d like to talk through.
Feature Integration
To address the adoption and discovery challenges, I experimented with adding an advertisement upon app opening, and an opening animation within the feature page for more detailed onboarding steps.
Mirroring Bumble BFF's existing promotional material and design system, I created a mock up of onboarding animation.
Ultimately, I decided to proceed with exploring further the in-page onboarding to make the feature feel more native and integrated into Bumble.
Bottom Nav Bar
To ensure an intuitive user flow that felt familiar and well-connected, I experimented with different entry points in the bottom navigation for BUZZ.
Considering the priorities of Bumble's features and the already crowded existing nav bar, the first two explorations risk breaking the retention loop of Bumble's main matching feature.
Since Discovery & BUZZ serve a similar core purpose, I settled on this version to maintain overall visual balance and minimize friction change.
Loading Screen Animation
In the context of BUZZ, I added supportive iconography and microcopy, helping users understand the purpose of the loading moment within BUZZ to build trust and transparency.
To make the transition serve a clear visual and functional purpose, I used the loading screen as an opportunity to incorporate soft pulses & gradients to create a calming mood and reassurance.
Scroll Details
Feel free to flip through my explore Figma file for more process :)
Reflection
One of my biggest takeaways from designing BUZZ was the power of reframing the problem. It taught me how understanding user motivations, values, and context can transform a technically-driven brief into a design that delights and respects the people using it. BUZZ reinforced the importance of balancing business goals with empathy and experience, and reminded me that even small UI choices—like the micro-copy on a loading screen or opt-in controls—can have a meaningful impact on user trust and engagement.
Reflection
One of my biggest takeaways from designing BUZZ was the power of reframing the problem. It taught me how understanding user motivations, values, and context can transform a technically-driven brief into a design that delights and respects the people using it. BUZZ reinforced the importance of balancing business goals with empathy and experience, and reminded me that even small UI choices—like the micro-copy on a loading screen or opt-in controls—can have a meaningful impact on user trust and engagement.
Reflection
One of my biggest takeaways from designing BUZZ was the power of reframing the problem. It taught me how understanding user motivations, values, and context can transform a technically-driven brief into a design that delights and respects the people using it. BUZZ reinforced the importance of balancing business goals with empathy and experience, and reminded me that even small UI choices—like the micro-copy on a loading screen or opt-in controls—can have a meaningful impact on user trust and engagement.
