Overview
About the Project
"Are U Queer Yet" is your relatable companion within the queer community, designed to guide you towards safe and inclusive spaces. This innovative app serves as a supportive platform, offering valuable insights and resources for individuals exploring their queer identity.
With a user-centric approach, it assists in discovering welcoming environments while fostering connections within the diverse queer community — your trusted partner on your journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
8 Weeks
Timeline
5 Users
Interviews
3 Tasks
Usability Tasks
3 Issues
Issues Found
The Challenge
The Problem
Being Black and queer are two struggles formulated into one extreme struggle while living in America. It is difficult to find spaces and events that are for Black and queer individuals simultaneously.
26%
of Black transgender individuals reported extreme harassment or violence due to both their race and gender identity — vs. 15% of white transgender individuals (NTDS)
Black LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately affected by hate violence, making up a substantial percentage of reported hate violence incidents (NCAVP)
Discrimination has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide among LGBTQ+ persons
The Solution
The Answer
AreUQueerYet? connects all LGBTQ+ people to community and events. All queers — especially Black and POC queers — deserve a space to feel safe in their identity and a place to find events that cater to them.
Easy access to queer spaces & events
Inclusive groups for community building
Identity-affirming discovery tools
Safe, vetted event listings
Phase 01 · Discovery
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
My focus was on the struggles of Black/POC queers finding events and spaces to feel comfortable. I identified 4 main challenges in the queer community relating to events and finding safe spaces.
01
Feeling seen, accepted, and important in their communities — an ongoing struggle in Black LGBTQ+ communities across America
02
Systemic barriers in politics and law make receiving justice nearly impossible for those who are both Black and queer
03
Black, Indigenous, and POC; disabled; noncitizen; and low-income LGBTQ people remain the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community despite broader progress
04
Discrimination against LGBTQ+ persons has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide
Survey
User Research
To address the challenge of identifying and engaging with Black and queer individuals, I used a multi-step approach combining qualitative and quantitative research methods.
I created a screener survey and distributed it across social media platforms to find LGBTQ+ individuals looking for community and events. I then selected 5 participants and conducted virtual moderated interviews.
Interviews
5 Moderated Interviews
Through Zoom-moderated interviews with members of the queer community, I gained valuable insights into the challenges they face: establishing meaningful connections, navigating safe spaces, and accessing inclusive events.
Unique struggles and resilience within the community
Challenges forming meaningful connections in queer spaces
Difficulty finding culturally inclusive events nearby
Emotional safety as a critical need in any platform
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Analyzing existing platforms revealed gaps in culturally inclusive design, emotional safety, and authentic community-building for Black and POC LGBTQ+ users.
Bumble BFF
Lacks racial/cultural specificity
No event safety features
Eventbrite
Not LGBTQ+-centered
Collective
Limited POC representation
Vibes
No identity-based filtering
Key Opportunity Areas Identified
Prioritizing safety & representation
Community-driven, not algorithm-driven
Centering the intersection of queer & racial identity
Inclusive event discovery with cultural context
Affinity Mapping
Affinity Mapping
I created an affinity map to visually organize user feedback and insights. By grouping experiences shared by members of the queer community, I identified three central themes:
Empathy Mapping
Empathy Mapping
I developed an empathy map to gain a deeper understanding of users' emotions, behaviors, and perspectives. Through this process, I identified two key personas:
Personas
User Personas
Two personas guide every design decision — ensuring user needs and goals remain at the forefront of every choice.
User Journey Mapping
User Journey Mapping
Creating both current and future-state user journey maps helped identify the emotional and functional gaps users experience when trying to find safe, inclusive queer spaces.
Impact: Comparing both journeys allowed me to make more intentional design decisions that directly addressed user pain points — creating a clearer vision for how AreUQueerYet? could foster belonging, comfort, and community.
Phase 02 · Ideation
How Might We
How Might We Statements
Grounded in primary and secondary research, these HMW statements helped me focus on specific challenges and narrow toward concrete solutions.
HMW 01
"How might we relieve the fear that people have when looking for safe LGBTQ+ events to attend?"
HMW 02
"How might we allow people to feel comfortable with their race and sexuality at LGBTQ+ events?"
HMW 03
"How might we make it easier for people to find Black/POC/inclusive LGBTQ+ events in their area?"
HMW 04
"How might we protect people from hook-up, drug, and alcohol culture when looking for LGBTQ+ events/spaces?"
User Stories
Top 5 User Stories
User stories helped me prioritize features and ensure the end outcome truly served the user — not just the product.
01
As a Homebody
"I want to see events in my specific locations, so that I can travel close to home to have fun."
02
As a User
"I want to choose my relationship status, so that I can notify people what I'm looking for/not looking for at these events."
03
As a User
"I want to join groups within the LGBTQ+ community, so that I can build friendships and community."
04
As a User
"I want to see a list of different identities in the LGBTQ+ community, so that I can have an easier time identifying myself and feeling comfortable."
05
As a Homebody
"I want to see all the attendees of the events so that I can build comfort before attending an LGBTQ+ event."
Site Map
Site Map
Developing the sitemap was essential to visually outline the hierarchical structure of the app. It helped me identify key features and taught me the art of labeling categories as actions from the user's perspective, not the system's.
User Flows
User Flows
I created 3 user flows to envision how different users would approach and accomplish their intended tasks. Observing distinct pathways provided valuable insight into behavior and preferences, enabling me to optimize for pain points.
Phase 03 · Design
Wireframes
Wireframes
Crafting wireframes enabled me to envision a genuine app experience from the ground up. Mapping out layout and interactions let me tangibly see how users would navigate through the app — laying the foundation for a user-centric development journey.
Home Screen
Event map & feed
Event Details
Info, RSVP, host
User Profile
Identity & connections
Brand Platform & Moodboard
Brand Platform & Moodboard
Formulating the brand platform, including mission, vision, attributes, and brand personality, empowered me to shape a distinct and unique brand identity that aligns completely with the vision for AreUQueerYet?
High-Fidelity UI
High-Fidelity Screens
While crafting high-fidelity screens, my primary focus was creating an app that was intuitive and simple to use. Numerous iterations were undertaken to achieve a visual presentation that delivered the aesthetics of AreUQueerYet?
Home / Explore
Event Details
User Profile
Phase 04 · Test
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
I performed usability testing on the AreUQueerYet? prototype using Zoom with 5 participants. Each was tasked with completing 3 specific tasks while I carefully observed their navigation patterns, ease of accomplishment, and overall behavior.
01
Find an event to attend
02
Send a message to someone
03
Buy a ticket to an event
Issues Found & Recommendations
01
Flow of Navigation
High
3/5 users
When asked to locate Ajna's profile and message her, 3 of 5 users found it difficult to go directly to Ajna's profile. They had to navigate to 'Suggested Friends' first — an unnecessary extra step.
Recommendations
Add interaction from every card of Ajna's profile to link to her profile page
Make finding Ajna's page more seamless throughout the app
02
Event Details
High
5/5 users
When viewing event details on the 'POC Picnic' and 'atl-nik' screens, all 5 users could not find parking information — a detail they expected to see in any event app.
Recommendations
Add details about parking and street limitations on each event screen
Add a parking icon to the event detail layout
03
Outside Connection to Profiles
Medium
2/5 users
2 users expected to see social media links on Ajna's profile and on event detail screens to follow event hosts outside the app for future events.
Recommendations
Add social media icons/links on each event details screen
Add a follow button next to the host's name on event cards
Redesign Iterations
Design Iterations
Based on usability findings, two key redesigns were implemented to improve navigation and social connectivity.
–
Removed
Map/List Tab from Home Screen
The map/list toggle on the home screen created confusion and added unnecessary navigation steps. Removed to streamline the core experience.
+
Added
Social Media Icons & Follow Buttons
Social media links added to event detail screens and user profiles. Follow button added next to event host names to support outside connection and discovery.
Explore More Work
View other case studies or get in touch to discuss this project in depth.
UX Research · UI Design · Mobile App
AreUQueerYet?
Your relatable companion in the queer community, guiding you to safe and inclusive spaces
Role
UX/UI Designer & Researcher
Duration
8 Weeks
Tools
Figma · Miro
Platform
iOS & Android
UX Research · UI Design · Mobile App
AreUQueerYet?
Your relatable companion in the queer community, guiding you to safe and inclusive spaces
Role
UX/UI Designer & Researcher
Duration
8 Weeks
Tools
Figma · Miro
Platform
iOS & Android
Overview
About the Project
"Are U Queer Yet" is your relatable companion within the queer community, designed to guide you towards safe and inclusive spaces. This innovative app serves as a supportive platform, offering valuable insights and resources for individuals exploring their queer identity.
With a user-centric approach, it assists in discovering welcoming environments while fostering connections within the diverse queer community — your trusted partner on your journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
8 Weeks
Timeline
5 Users
Interviews
3 Tasks
Usability Tasks
3 Issues
Issues Found
The Challenge
The Problem
Being Black and queer are two struggles formulated into one extreme struggle while living in America. It is difficult to find spaces and events that are for Black and queer individuals simultaneously.
26%
of Black transgender individuals reported extreme harassment or violence due to both their race and gender identity — vs. 15% of white transgender individuals (NTDS)
Black LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately affected by hate violence, making up a substantial percentage of reported hate violence incidents (NCAVP)
Discrimination has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide among LGBTQ+ persons
The Solution
The Answer
AreUQueerYet? connects all LGBTQ+ people to community and events. All queers — especially Black and POC queers — deserve a space to feel safe in their identity and a place to find events that cater to them.
Easy access to queer spaces & events
Inclusive groups for community building
Identity-affirming discovery tools
Safe, vetted event listings
Phase 01 · Discovery
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
My focus was on the struggles of Black/POC queers finding events and spaces to feel comfortable. I identified 4 main challenges in the queer community relating to events and finding safe spaces.
01
Feeling seen, accepted, and important in their communities — an ongoing struggle in Black LGBTQ+ communities across America
02
Systemic barriers in politics and law make receiving justice nearly impossible for those who are both Black and queer
03
Black, Indigenous, and POC; disabled; noncitizen; and low-income LGBTQ people remain the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community despite broader progress
04
Discrimination against LGBTQ+ persons has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide
Survey
User Research
To address the challenge of identifying and engaging with Black and queer individuals, I used a multi-step approach combining qualitative and quantitative research methods.
I created a screener survey and distributed it across social media platforms to find LGBTQ+ individuals looking for community and events. I then selected 5 participants and conducted virtual moderated interviews.
Interviews
5 Moderated Interviews
Through Zoom-moderated interviews with members of the queer community, I gained valuable insights into the challenges they face: establishing meaningful connections, navigating safe spaces, and accessing inclusive events.
Unique struggles and resilience within the community
Challenges forming meaningful connections in queer spaces
Difficulty finding culturally inclusive events nearby
Emotional safety as a critical need in any platform
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Analyzing existing platforms revealed gaps in culturally inclusive design, emotional safety, and authentic community-building for Black and POC LGBTQ+ users.
Bumble BFF
Lacks racial/cultural specificity
No event safety features
Eventbrite
Not LGBTQ+-centered
Collective
Limited POC representation
Vibes
No identity-based filtering
Key Opportunity Areas Identified
Prioritizing safety & representation
Community-driven, not algorithm-driven
Centering the intersection of queer & racial identity
Inclusive event discovery with cultural context
Affinity Mapping
Affinity Mapping
I created an affinity map to visually organize user feedback and insights. By grouping experiences shared by members of the queer community, I identified five central themes:
Empathy Mapping
Empathy Mapping
I developed an empathy map to gain a deeper understanding of users' emotions, behaviors, and perspectives. Through this process, I identified two key personas:
Personas
User Personas
I created personas to embody distinct user archetypes, providing a concrete reference for the design team to empathize with and design for. These personas guided design decisions by ensuring that user needs and goals were at the forefront, resulting in my two persons: Brttnie - the homebody, and Brandon - outgoing & open, giving insight on who exactly I am creating a solution for and my target audience.
User Journey Mapping
User Journey Mapping
Creating both current and future-state user journey maps helped identify the emotional and functional gaps users experience when trying to find safe, inclusive queer spaces.
Impact: Comparing both journeys allowed me to make more intentional design decisions that directly addressed user pain points — creating a clearer vision for how AreUQueerYet? could foster belonging, comfort, and community.
Phase 02 · Ideation
How Might We
How Might We Statements
Grounded in primary and secondary research, these HMW statements helped me focus on specific challenges and narrow toward concrete solutions.
HMW 01
"How might we relieve the fear that people have when looking for safe LGBTQ+ events to attend?"
HMW 02
"How might we allow people to feel comfortable with their race and sexuality at LGBTQ+ events?"
HMW 03
"How might we make it easier for people to find Black/POC/inclusive LGBTQ+ events in their area?"
HMW 04
"How might we protect people from hook-up, drug, and alcohol culture when looking for LGBTQ+ events/spaces?"
User Stories
Top 5 User Stories
User stories helped me prioritize features and ensure the end outcome truly served the user — not just the product.
01
As a Homebody
"I want to see events in my specific locations, so that I can travel close to home to have fun."
02
As a User
"I want to choose my relationship status, so that I can notify people what I'm looking for/not looking for at these events."
03
As a User
"I want to join groups within the LGBTQ+ community, so that I can build friendships and community."
04
As a User
"I want to see a list of different identities in the LGBTQ+ community, so that I can have an easier time identifying myself and feeling comfortable."
05
As a Homebody
"I want to see all the attendees of the events so that I can build comfort before attending an LGBTQ+ event."
Site Map
Site Map
Developing the sitemap was essential to visually outline the hierarchical structure of the app. It helped me identify key features and taught me the art of labeling categories as actions from the user's perspective, not the system's.
User Flows
User Flows
I created 3 user flows to envision how different users would approach and accomplish their intended tasks. Observing distinct pathways provided valuable insight into behavior and preferences, enabling me to optimize for pain points.
Phase 03 · Design
Wireframes
Wireframes
Crafting wireframes enabled me to envision a genuine app experience from the ground up. Mapping out layout and interactions let me tangibly see how users would navigate through the app — laying the foundation for a user-centric development journey.
Home Screen
Event map & feed
Event Details
Info, RSVP, host
User Profile
Identity & connections
Brand Platform & Moodboard
Brand Platform & Moodboard
Formulating the brand platform, including mission, vision, attributes, and brand personality, empowered me to shape a distinct and unique brand identity that aligns completely with the vision for AreUQueerYet?
High-Fidelity UI
High-Fidelity Screens
While crafting high-fidelity screens, my primary focus was creating an app that was intuitive and simple to use. Numerous iterations were undertaken to achieve a visual presentation that delivered the aesthetics of AreUQueerYet?
Home / Explore
Daily Affirmation
Event cards
Search bar
Event Details
Parking info
Host profile
RSVP + ticket purchase
User Profile
Identity tags
Social links
Upcoming events
Phase 04 · Test
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
I performed usability testing on the AreUQueerYet? prototype using Zoom with 5 participants. Each was tasked with completing 3 specific tasks while I carefully observed their navigation patterns, ease of accomplishment, and overall behavior.
01
Find an event to attend
02
Send a message to someone
03
Buy a ticket to an event
Issues Found & Recommendations
01
Flow of Navigation
High
3/5 users
When asked to locate Ajna's profile and message her, 3 of 5 users found it difficult to go directly to Ajna's profile. They had to navigate to 'Suggested Friends' first — an unnecessary extra step.
Recommendations
Add interaction from every card of Ajna's profile to link to her profile page
Make finding Ajna's page more seamless throughout the app
02
Event Details
High
5/5 users
When viewing event details on the 'POC Picnic' and 'atl-nik' screens, all 5 users could not find parking information — a detail they expected to see in any event app.
Recommendations
Add details about parking and street limitations on each event screen
Add a parking icon to the event detail layout
03
Outside Connection to Profiles
Medium
2/5 users
2 users expected to see social media links on Ajna's profile and on event detail screens to follow event hosts outside the app for future events.
Recommendations
Add social media icons/links on each event details screen
Add a follow button next to the host's name on event cards
Redesign Iterations
Design Iterations
Based on usability findings, two key redesigns were implemented to improve navigation and social connectivity.
–
Removed
Map/List Tab from Home Screen
The map/list toggle on the home screen created confusion and added unnecessary navigation steps. Removed to streamline the core experience.
+
Added
Social Media Icons & Follow Buttons
Social media links added to event detail screens and user profiles. Follow button added next to event host names to support outside connection and discovery.
Explore More Work
View other case studies or get in touch to discuss this project in depth.
