Make friends through activities
Make friends through activities
Overview
Pear is a social discovery app that encourages people to connect through shared interests and real-life activities. The goal was to rethink how people meet and bond beyond typical dating or group event platforms. Instead of endless scrolling or crowded meetups, Pear helps users match one-on-one through specific events, fostering more meaningful connections.
This was one of the first major features I pushed for at YouNow. After noticing repeated user complaints about the lack of fullscreen viewing, I took initiative to investigate further.
The result? The feature was greenlit, and I was given ownership of the design process from start to finish.
This was one of the first major features I pushed for at YouNow. After noticing repeated user complaints about the lack of fullscreen viewing, I took initiative to investigate further.
The result? The feature was greenlit, and I was given ownership of the design process from start to finish.
My Role 🧠
I designed Pear as a solo side project, overseeing everything from concept development and user research to UX design and visual branding. This was an opportunity to experiment with UI patterns and social behaviors I’ve observed over time.
I designed Pear as a solo side project, overseeing everything from concept development and user research to UX design and visual branding. This was an opportunity to experiment with UI patterns and social behaviors I’ve observed over time.
Mission🎯
Many social platforms are either built around dating or group events, which can feel overwhelming or impersonal. With Pear, I wanted to create something more intentional, an app that encourages real-life moments between two people with shared interests, without the pressure of dating. Think: an event-based Tinder, but for friends, collaborators, or activity buddies.
Many social platforms are either built around dating or group events, which can feel overwhelming or impersonal. With Pear, I wanted to create something more intentional, an app that encourages real-life moments between two people with shared interests, without the pressure of dating. Think: an event-based Tinder, but for friends, collaborators, or activity buddies.
Discovery 🔎
I began by analyzing user patterns from existing platforms like Meetup, Bumble BFF, and Eventbrite. I also gathered anecdotal feedback from people who felt existing platforms either lacked spontaneity or put too much emphasis on large groups. This helped frame the app around one-on-one pairings for specific interests.
I began by analyzing user patterns from existing platforms like Meetup, Bumble BFF, and Eventbrite. I also gathered anecdotal feedback from people who felt existing platforms either lacked spontaneity or put too much emphasis on large groups. This helped frame the app around one-on-one pairings for specific interests.
Key Features 📲
Activity-Based Matching: Users create or join small events based on interests.
Pair-Only System: Events are limited to two participants, creating a comfortable, focused environment.
Time-Sensitive Matching: Events are live for a short time, encouraging quick decisions and spontaneous hangouts.
No Likes, Just Interests: Matching happens based on shared activity—not looks or bios.
Activity-Based Matching: Users create or join small events based on interests.
Pair-Only System: Events are limited to two participants, creating a comfortable, focused environment.
Time-Sensitive Matching: Events are live for a short time, encouraging quick decisions and spontaneous hangouts.
No Likes, Just Interests: Matching happens based on shared activity—not looks or bios.
