Swipe Right, MX Right : Redesigning Tinder’s interface

Abstract

This thesis investigates the redesign of the Tinder interface, focusing on enhancing user ex- perience, satisfaction, and safety for Tinder users, particularly young adults, who form the majority of Tinder's demographic. Given that past research has rarely discussed how the Tinder interface affects user experience and how user satisfaction and security can be improved through interface redesign, the main objective of this thesis is to conceptualize and design a new prototype of the Tinder interface that improves user experience. The study explores three research questions: (1) how Tinder's current interface design impacts user experience, (2) which redesigned features improve user satisfaction and security, and (3) which redesigned features shape user perception and experience.

Guided by Jakob Nielsen's 10 usability heuristics, the study identifies violations of key princi- ples in Tinder’s existing interface, including user control and freedom, flexibility and efficiency of use, error prevention, and visibility of system status. The theoretical background highlights spe- cific deficiencies in Tinder's design that necessitate a redesign. The lack of a translation feature limits cross-language communication. Ghosting behavior negatively affects users’ self-esteem. The absence of controls over screenshot sharing compromises privacy. Additionally, the existing gender and sexual orientation filters are insufficiently inclusive and accurate. To address these issues, the redesigned prototype incorporates four new features: translation tools, a ghost badge for unresponsive users, inclusive gender and sexual orientation filters, and screenshot penalties.

Usability testing, interviews, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) question- naire were conducted with six adult participants to evaluate the prototype. Usability testing and PANAS questionnaire provide quantitative data on interface usability and user feedback, and the interview and think-aloud protocol used in the usability test provide qualitative data on the user experience of specific features.

Findings highlight that the translation feature increased perceptions of improved communica- tion and reduced reliance on external tools, while the new gender and sexual orientation filters enhanced perceptions of inclusivity. Screenshot penalties were perceived to boost feelings of safety, and the ghost badge appeared to mitigate frustrations linked to unreciprocated communi- cation, contributing to a sense of emotional well-being. However, the penalty system for ghosting and screenshotting elicited mixed responses, reflecting tensions between perceived privacy, accountability, and user freedom.

While the prototype limited users’ ability to fully explore the app's functionality, and the inclu- sion of less familiar terminology in the PANAS questionnaire may have influenced participants’ responses, this study provides valuable insights into how targeted interface modifications can enhance safety, satisfaction, and inclusivity in online dating. These findings provide a foundation for future developments in the design of dating applications.

This thesis contributes to the understanding of how interface design shapes user perceptions, experiences, satisfaction, and feelings of security, offering valuable insights and practical recom- mendations for improving user experience in dating platforms to foster safer and more inclusive online environments.