The Intentional Designer (Version 3) - Aryan K. J.
The Intentional Designer: Version 3 - Setting Expectations (The Onboarding Flow)
Guided by Dhairya (My Fictional Character), The Intentional Designer
Design Focus: Trust-Building UX | Value Proposition Clarity | Conversion Strategy
Why I Chose This Focus
After anchoring the project in Deep Empathy (Version 2), the next step isn't to build a feature, but to build immediate trust. For our personas—especially those dealing with Safety/Trust Anxiety and Swiping Fatigue—the onboarding is the most critical conversion point. Most apps rush this; I chose to dedicate an entire version to the first three screens because they are our non-negotiable Covenant with the user. Version 3 is the proactive defence against user skepticism, ensuring the user is convinced we are genuinely different before they commit to sign up.
What Problem I Solved (V3 Focus)
Version 3 solved the strategic problem of translating the persona's core anxieties into a clear, three-part value proposition that maximises onboarding completion. Guided by Dhairya, I solved the following challenges:
| Problem Identified | Strategic Solution Introduced (V3 Deliverable) |
|---|---|
| Learned Skepticism: Users assume this is "just another dating app." | The Process-Oriented Flow: Immediately show a clear, three-step journey (Build → Define → Get Real) that eliminates ambiguity and validates the app's unique structure. |
| Trust Barrier: Anxiety about personal safety, fakes, and privacy (Sheetal's and Priya's pain points). | Content-as-Covenant: Dedicated copy in Screen 1 and Screen 2 explicitly links user effort to Verification and guarantees Privacy ("Only we see this"), building psychological safety upfront. |
| High Drop-off Risk: Users leave if the value proposition isn't immediately clear or engaging. | Visual Resonance and Conversion Strategy: Employed modern, clean illustrations to convey complex ideas instantly. The final CTA is strategically positioned after all anxieties are addressed, maximizing the conversion rate (KPI target >70%). |
Export to Sheets
Duration (Version 3: Onboarding Strategy & UI)
~ 3 Days Total (Self-initiated)
Day 1: Strategy, Flow Logic, and Content Mapping (Screen 1 must address the Investment, Screen 2 the Filter, Screen 3 the Reward).
Day 2: Low-fidelity wireframing and High-Fidelity UI creation for the three screens, including defining the brand's visual illustration style.
Day 3: Finalising copy and designing the Conversion Anchor (The final CTA) and defining Post-Launch KPIs (e.g., Time-on-Screen analysis) to measure the success of the trust-building initiative.
My Design Process (Version 3 Focus)
This version focused on Strategic Communication and Conversion, ensuring zero friction between the user's recognised need and the app's solution:
Anxiety-to-Copy Translation: Directly translated core anxieties (Swiping Fatigue, Safety/Trust) into persuasive, clear headlines and body copy.
Flow as a Narrative: Structured the screens to tell a story: "Commitment" (S1) → "Control" (S2) → "Reward" (S3), guiding the user's emotional journey to a confident "Get Started."
Measurable Intentionality: Defined clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) based on conversion rates and time-on-screen to ensure the design's effectiveness can be quantitatively measured against strategic goals.
Outcome (Version 3 Deliverables)
This version provides the critical gateway for the entire product, ensuring users who sign up are already aligned with the app's intentional ethos. I was able to:
✅ Design a three-screen flow that proactively addresses user skepticism and ambiguity.
✅ Finalise the visual language and UI for the first touchpoint, setting a clean, professional, and trustworthy brand standard.
✅ Establish a highly defensible conversion strategy anchored in psychological safety and a clear value exchange.
✅ Prepare the necessary foundation for the rigorous next step: Version 4: Designing the Intentional Profile.
This work, guided by Dhairya, proves that onboarding is a strategic filter—it's where the app earns the right to ask for the user's investment.
15 Oct 2025
Keywords
