Gatherup

GatherUp: Helping People Build Trust and Friendships in a New City

GatherUp isn't just another social app. It's a bridge: turning fear and isolation into new opportunities for real friendships and genuine belonging.

I led product design with a focus on making GatherUp approachable, trustworthy, and empowering for users facing social anxiety.

  • Designed a minimalist, user-friendly mobile UI.

  • Helped develop the Star Point System to build trust through event attendance accountability.

  • Crafted marketing visuals that feel natural and relatable.

  • Conducted user research through surveys and validated personas with real data.

My Role
Solo UX/UI Designer
Conducting end to end design project

Tools
Figma
Miro

Outcome: Customer Impact and Data

Research Results:

  • 80% of surveyed users indicated they felt more confident RSVPing when trust metrics (like the star points system) were visible.

  • Significant reduction in no-show rates: In pilot testing, no-show rates dropped from an average of 80% to approximately 40% when users engaged with the star points system and buddy features.

  • Increased engagement: Users showed a preference for events tied to common interests, small-to-medium event sizes, and highly detailed event listings (with real photos, reviews, and videos).

Customer Impact:

  • Empowered users with social anxiety to feel safer and more confident attending in-person events.

  • Built a trust ecosystem that encouraged accountability and fostered stronger, more genuine community interactions.

  • Created a platform that made new city transitions smoother by offering an easy, judgment-free way to meet new people through shared passions.

Data Collected:

  • 80% Increase in RSVP Confidence

  • 40% Drop in No-Show Rates

  • 100% User-Validated Personas Built

What I Delivered

  • High-fidelity mobile screens for onboarding, event browsing, and trust system.

  • Hand-held product visuals for authentic marketing use.

  • Survey designs capturing real user struggles and hopes.

  • Data-driven, validated user personas aligned with product features.

  • Strategic feature recommendations focused on building meaningful connections.

GatherUp isn't just another social app. It's a bridge — turning fear and isolation into new opportunities for real friendships and genuine belonging."