Designing a warm and approachable platform that connects pet lovers with perfect matches
UX/UI Designer (Full Project Lead)
Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Miro
5 weeks
Create an emotional, intuitive pet adoption and matching platform
Finding the right pet and connecting with other pet lovers has significant challenges:
Existing platforms treat pet adoption as transactional, missing the emotional aspect of pet finding.
Users struggle to find pets that match their lifestyle and preferences due to limited filtering.
Lack of features for pet lovers to connect, share experiences, and build relationships.
Poor mobile experience and uninspiring design doesn't capture the joy of pet adoption.
Create a warm, engaging platform that emphasizes the emotional journey of pet adoption while enabling community building and meaningful connections.
Interviewed 20+ pet owners and people considering pet adoption
Studied pet types, temperaments, and lifestyle compatibility factors
Tested matching algorithms and social features with pet communities
✓ Pet adoption is an emotional journey, not just a transaction
✓ Pet owners want detailed information about temperament and compatibility
✓ Community features like sharing stories build platform engagement
✓ Beautiful pet photos and storytelling are critical to decision-making
Pet profiles include personal stories, photos, and personality traits to create emotional connection.
Advanced matching based on lifestyle, preferences, and compatibility factors.
Built-in messaging, adoption stories, and pet owner forums foster community engagement.
Color palette and illustrations emphasize warmth, joy, and the human-animal bond.
Warm & Welcoming: Soft pastels with warm earth tones create an approachable feel.
Friendly & Approachable: Rounded sans-serif fonts convey warmth and accessibility.
Custom illustrations and icons celebrating different pet types and personalities.
Microinteractions and animations that celebrate successful matches and pet stories.
Personalized pet recommendations and featured adoption stories to inspire users.
Rich pet profiles with photos, personality traits, temperament, and adoption information.
Smart matching interface with messaging to connect potential adopters with pet owners.
Share adoption journeys, pet stories, and connect with other pet lovers.
Emotional design drove high platform usage and retention
First year facilitated thousands of pet adoptions
Users loved the warm, accessible design approach
Users felt emotionally connected to mission
User engagement through emotional storytelling and community features
Matching algorithm that connects compatible pets and owners
Mobile-optimized experience for on-the-go pet discovery
Community-driven platform that celebrates the joy of pet adoption
Let's create products that touch hearts and solve real problems.