Spotifider
A sports community app for Pickleball players from user research and competitor analysis to final UI. The core challenge was designing trust into a matchmaking feature, and learning when to pivot based on real user feedback. Final project, awarded outstanding thesis 2025.
Problem Statement
Most sports applications today are only used for booking courts. They lack social interaction, which makes the experience feel "transactional" and boring. Because of this, users don't feel connected to a community, leading to low engagement and many apps being forgotten quickly.
Our Target
Our main goal was to create a platform that users enjoy using every day. By focusing on community and easy booking, we aim to improve user retention and make exercise a fun, social habit.
Year
2025
Scope
UX Design / UI Design
Project
1st Outstanding Project
Duration
6 weeks
Case Study
We started with a simple question.
Why do existing sports apps fail to keep users engaged?
Our mission was to solve the problems that others couldn't. By catching the rising trend of Pickleball in Vietnam, we aimed to build a vibrant and connected sports community.
The average age of players has dropped from 55 to 38.1 years over the past 5 years.
"Pickleball has moved beyond a simple recreational sport to become a global cultural and economic phenomenon."
"Spotifider was created to solve the challenges of finding courts and partners, while simultaneously building a sustainable sports ecosystem."
In Vietnam, Pickleball is more than just a new sports trend, it represents a unique opportunity for community connection. With the rapid surge in the number of players, the need for a dedicated management and networking platform has become more urgent than ever.
0.0M
0.0M
Pickleball players worldwide as of early 2024.
0.0%
0.0%
Players have started playing within the last 12 months.
0.0%
0.0%
increase in the number of players compared to 2023.
0M+
0M+
New pickleball courts constructed in 2023.
Connecting the Community
Why an MVP?
Since Pickleball is a social sport, finding a partner can be a challenge. Our initial idea was to integrate a matchmaking feature. This allows users to "match" with others for practice or a "sport date." It turns a solo experience into a social connection.
Learning from Failure: Why the "Match" Feature Didn't Work
After several rounds of User Interviews and A/B Testing with real users, we discovered that the "Match" feature did not perform as expected.
1. Trust and Safety Concerns
Through user interviews, we found that meeting a stranger 1-1 for sports is different from dating. Many users, especially women, felt hesitant to meet someone they didn't know just to play a match. They prioritized safety and community trust over a quick "swipe."
2. The "Skill Gap" Problem
A/B testing showed that users were more concerned about skill levels than "matching" profiles. If two players are matched but have different levels (Beginner vs. Pro), the experience is not enjoyable for either side. A simple Tinder-style UI could not solve this complex problem.
3. Preference for Groups over Individuals
Our data showed that users preferred joining existing groups or clubs at a specific court rather than finding a single partner. They felt more comfortable in a social environment with multiple people.
From Matching to Community
Our research made one thing clear: users didn't want to meet strangers one-on-one. They wanted to belong to something bigger
So we shifted our focus. Instead of building a "Match" feature, we designed a platform around three core ideas: easy court booking, smart player connection, and community building through coaches and clubs.
We also added features to keep users coming back. Players earn achievements for joining clubs, competing in tournaments, and staying active. These achievements unlock reward points, which can be redeemed for sports gear vouchers turning exercise into a habit that actually feels rewarding.
The goal was simple: make Spotifider the app people open every day, not just when they need to book a court.