Interviews

I conducted qualitative user research with University of Michigan students who regularly participate in casual sports to understand how they currently organize games and where breakdowns occur. Through interviews, personas, and journey mapping, I identified that

students rely heavily on texting friends, group chats, and showing up to courts without knowing who will be there.

Problems

This leads to unreliable coordination, wasted time, and frequent mismatches in skill level. These insights directly shaped a product focused on fast discovery and skill-based matching rather than long-term planning or formal team structures.

• Most friction occurs before play begins, during partner discovery and coordination rather than gameplay itself.

• Uncertainty around availability, skill level, and location builds across stages and increases drop-off.

• Skill mismatches reduce enjoyment and make users less likely to play again.

• Time spent coordinating often feels wasted when games fall through.

• Existing tools like texting and walking to courts are fragmented and unreliable for casual play.

Design Impact

• Prioritized fast partner discovery and availability visibility

• Made skill-level matching a core feature

• Reduced coordination steps to support spontaneous play