← SELECTED WORK

SELF-DIRECTED CONCEPT

Spark

A dating app redefining success — shifting the question from “Who should I match with?” to “How do I make better decisions in dating?”

A dating app redefining success — shifting the question from “Who should I match with?” to “How do I make better decisions in dating?”

A dating app redefining success — shifting the question from “Who should I match with?” to “How do I make better decisions in dating?”

ROLE

Product thinking, UX, visual design

Product thinking, UX, visual design

TYPE

Self-directed concept

Self-directed concept

SCOPE

Research, behavioral loop, full UI system

Research, behavioral loop, full UI system

YEAR

2026

2026

THE PROBLEM

Dating apps prioritize engagement over meaningful connection, leading to endless matches, repeated patterns, and user burnout. I’ve been a user of these apps and I’ve spent five years designing them — the dopamine hit is instant, the connection rarely is.

Dating apps prioritize engagement over meaningful connection, leading to endless matches, repeated patterns, and user burnout. I’ve been a user of these apps and I’ve spent five years designing them — the dopamine hit is instant, the connection rarely is.

78%

78%

78%

of dating app users report emotional burnout

of dating app users report emotional burnout

50%

50%

50%

of mutual matches never respond

of mutual matches never respond

1.4M

1.4M

1.4M

UK users left dating apps in

2023–24

UK users left dating apps in

2023–24

“I have over 40 matches but it feels like no one wants to actually get to know me.”

“I have over 40 matches but it feels like no one wants to actually get to know me.”

“I have over 40 matches but it feels like no one wants to actually get to know me.”

INTERVIEW PARTICIPANT, AGE 26–34

THE IDEA

Spark introduces a simple loop: understand how someone approaches dating, require a reflection after every date, translate those reflections into patterns, and feed the patterns back as guidance.

Spark introduces a simple loop: understand how someone approaches dating, require a reflection after every date, translate those reflections into patterns, and feed the patterns back as guidance.

01 · UNDERSTAND
ONBOARDING SCREEN

02 · CAPTURE
REFLECTION SCREEN

03 · TRANSLATE
INSIGHTS SCREEN

04 · LEARN & GROW
CONSENT SCREEN

THE CORE BET

Spark’s core bet isn’t that insights change behavior — awareness rarely does. It’s that friction changes behavior, and insights make the friction feel earned.

Spark’s core bet isn’t that insights change behavior — awareness rarely does. It’s that friction changes behavior, and insights make the friction feel earned.

Mandatory reflection slows the swipe loop. The insights are what make the slowdown feel worth it.

Mandatory reflection slows the swipe loop. The insights are what make the slowdown feel worth it.

DECISIONS & TRADEOFFS

DECISION 01

Required reflection, not optional

Required reflection, not optional

CHOSE

Mandatory post-date reflection before the app continues.

COST

Raises the bar to use the app and increases early churn. That’s intentional — the friction self-selects for users who want a deliberate experience.

DECISION 02

Pacing over volume — the Mindful Pause

Pacing over volume — the Mindful Pause

CHOSE

A pause triggered after every 10 profiles viewed, capped at once per week.

COST

Hurts short-term engagement metrics. But burnout drives deletion, and a paused user who returns next week retains better than a fatigued one who churns.

WHAT I’D VALIDATE FIRST

THE RISKIEST ASSUMPTION

Whether required reflection survives contact with real users. Everything else in Spark depends on people completing a step that every competing app has spent a decade removing. I’d run optional-versus-mandatory cohorts first and track 30/60/90-day retention.

Whether required reflection survives contact with real users. Everything else in Spark depends on people completing a step that every competing app has spent a decade removing. I’d run optional-versus-mandatory cohorts first and track 30/60/90-day retention.

18%

18%

Quality Match Rate — the share of matches leading to a second date and a positive post-date reflection. Target by month six, against an industry baseline of 6–8%.

Quality Match Rate — the share of matches leading to a second date and a positive post-date reflection. Target by month six, against an industry baseline of 6–8%.

Product design is about what you say no to. Spark’s thesis is built on rejecting the metrics the rest of the industry chases.

Product design is about what you say no to. Spark’s thesis is built on rejecting the metrics the rest of the industry chases.

Product design is about what you say no to. Spark’s thesis is built on rejecting the metrics the rest of the industry chases.

NEXT PROJECT

Free Library Map System →

Free Library
Map System →

Free Library Map System →

Innovative storytelling. Bold visionary

GRACEJONASCREATIVE@GMAIL.COM

267.608.6839

Innovative storytelling. Bold visionary

GRACEJONASCREATIVE@GMAIL.COM

267.608.6839

Innovative storytelling. Bold visionary

GRACEJONASCREATIVE@GMAIL.COM

267.608.6839