HeyChat
Interest-based messaging that helps people connect beyond their existing social circles.
Product Design · UI/UX · Mobile app · 2022
My role
Product / UI Designer
UX flows
Interaction design
High-fidelity UI
Prototyping
Design system thinking
I was responsible for:
Tools used:
Figma
FigmaJam
ChatGTP
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe photoshop
Context
Most messaging apps are designed around existing friendships and contacts. While they help people stay connected, they don't do much to help users discover new communities or connect with people who share similar interests.
Social limitation
The challenge
People interested in meeting others through shared interests often rely on separate apps for messaging, community discovery, events, and discussions.
Discovery gap
The solution
Rewarded connections
HeyChat helps users discover groups and communities based on their interests while they chat. By surfacing relevant discussions, events, and community content within the platform, users can participate in communities and build connections without switching between multiple apps.
Community discovery, discussions, events, and member connections were brought together within a single platform, making it easier for users to discover interests, participate in communities, and build relationships.
Design decisions
Interest-based community discovery
Problem:
Users often rely on separate platforms to discover communities related to their interests.
Decision:
I showcased relevant groups within the messaging experience, allowing users to discover communities naturally while using the app.
Outcome:
This reduces friction and makes community discovery feel like part of the user's existing behaviour rather than a separate task.
Community hub structure
Problem:
Once users join a group, important content such as events, discussions, and recommendations can become difficult to navigate.
Decision:
I designed a centralised group hub containing events, meet-ups, popular activities, reviews, discussions, and search functionality.
Outcome:
This creates a clear entry point for community participation and helps users quickly find the information most relevant to them.
Feature walkthrough
Tailored for you
Keywords in conversations trigger relevant interest group suggestions. Tap the arrow to explore.
Explore & engage
Enter a group, become a member, browse topics, and join discussions and meet-ups.
Make connections
Explore profiles and send connection requests to build meaningful relationships.
Impact & success measurement
HeyChat shows how messaging apps could better support social discovery by embedding shared interests into everyday conversations. Rather than relying on multiple platforms, users are encouraged to explore, connect, and engage within one cohesive experience that feels familiar but more open.
Expanded connection
Simplified community discovery and participation
Increased opportunities for meaningful social connections
Reduced reliance on multiple platforms
User impact
Increased user engagement and retention
Growth in active communities and user-generated content
Stronger network effects through member participation
Business impact
Groups joined
Community participation rate
Discussion engagement
Weekly active users
30-day retention
Member connections made