Grindr Unwrapped (Lance’s Version)

3 min read - 2021

Project

Redesign the Grindr Unwrapped year in review from using generalized regional data to personalized user data to inform users about their online dating behaviors and biases.

Role

Product Designer

Process

As a user of the Grindr platform, I would eagerly await the Grindr Unwrapped every year to discover what information they would unveil. And every year I was disappointed in the lackluster generalized data they would publish.

Software

While learning the highest percent of tops are in Trinidad and Tobago is interesting, it will hardly impact my dating behavior in the mountains of Denver Colorado. Unless I book a flight to Trinidad and Tobago, and in this economy…unlikely.

And again, while I discovered that the highest percent of leather lovers are in the Netherlands. This was not going to help me build community around me.

So I set out to redesign my version of a personalized Grindr Unwrapped experience, and for that I opened my Grindr and reviewed what data they were collecting.

Using the profile information and filter information, I deduced there were a myriad of data points that Grindr could localize.

Looking at these data points, and being familiar with the interactions of the application, I drafted up these new meaningful metrics personalized and poignant for Grindr users. For the best experience, play the song below while reading.

Caveat: metrics are fabricated for dramatic effect. Not my actual data. Please enjoy!

“Wow Lance, that was a lot.” I know. Maybe too much for some of you not privy to the nuance of Grindr. But I think surfacing this type of personalized data for users could prove more beneficial in building community. There is definitely some room for optimization and protecting users data, I pushed it, I know haha.

I believe Grindr should work with users to surface data that is actually meaningful to their users and not generalized global data. We just want to find love, and love most likely won’t be found in Trinidad and Tobago, or the Netherlands. It will more than likely be found 537 feet away.