Developing a Skill Exchange App
During the 24-hour nwHacks hackathon at UBC, we developed an app centered around the theme of community. Our app is similar to a dating app like Tinder but with a unique twist: it focuses on skill exchange. Users can search for people looking to exchange skills, creating a platform where they can not only connect with others but also learn new skills from their matches and share their own. This blend of dating and skill-sharing sets our app apart, offering a meaningful way for users to connect and grow.
My Role as the UX/UI Designer
As the UX/UI designer in my team of four, I participated in the brainstorming stage and devised how users would interact with our app. I created various interface designs to best suit our users' needs. After extensive research on popular dating apps, I incorporated the features I found most enjoyable, ensuring our app was intuitive and user-friendly with a minimalistic approach to avoid clutter. I actively listened to critiques and feedback from my team to iterate on the design. Additionally, I designed an interface that was not too complex, ensuring it could be developed within the hackathon timeframe.
Seamless Collaboration in Development
After my team had a clear understanding of my interface design, they began coding the backend of the app while I continued crafting mockups on Figma for them to use as a guide during development. This collaboration allowed for a seamless transition from designing our vision to coding the app.
Insights Gained from the Hackathon
Participating in the hackathon taught me a great deal about effective communication and collaboration within a team. It was a memorable experience, providing me with the opportunity to work with new teammates and learn from the process of building an idea from scratch within a short timeframe. Although we didn't complete our project due to complications and unforeseen challenges, the journey was fascinating and offered valuable insights into the tech environment.
