KRUSH: Moderated User Testing and Design Recommendations to Improve Event Discovery and Filter Usability
About
KRUSH is a dating app made for the Asian community. It allows members to connect through local events, group chats, and fun features like Asian Zodiac matching. Moderated usability testings to better understand how users find and browse events, use filters, and interpret how events are shown. We also explored how users perceived the overall vibe of the app and how to improve engagement with the Zodiac compatibility feature. The goal was to make it easier for users to discover events they’re interested in and feel more engaged while using the app.
Role: Student UX Designer at Pratt Institute
Participant Recruitement
Resesarch
Usability Testing
UX Design
Focused on Event Discovery Feature
Tools: Figma, FigJam, Google Workspace, Zoom, Adobe Creative Cloud
Timeline: April 2025 - May 2025 (4 weeks)
Team: Four M.S. IxD students under mentorship of course Professor at Pratt, and Curelation Co. KRUSH client.
The Problem
The KRUSH team wanted to drive more engagement with two core features—event participation and Zodiac compatibility—but noticed that users weren’t interacting with them as much as expected. To understand why, the Pratt Institute team conducted moderated usability testing.
The Goals
Our goal was to understand what users were experiencing, why these features weren’t catching their interest, and how the app could be improved to make them more engaging and easier to use.
By identifying the pain points and patterns in user behavior, we aimed to provide design recommendations that would encourage stronger interaction and create a smoother, more user-friendly experience.
The Process
To evaluate the user experience of KRUSH’s key features, we used a clear and structured approach that included recruiting relevant users, conducting moderated usability tests, and analyzing feedback to uncover key insights.
The Results Overview
Based on the client’s priorities and insights from user testing, the Pratt team identified and focused on 4 key features to evaluate and recommend improvements.
Events Feature
Asian Zodiac Compatibility
Event Discoverability and Filtering:
Structuring Filter tabs and Event sorting for better discoverability.
Event Joining and Reminder:
Smoother group chat entry and visible event reminders.
Inactive Group Chat:
Encouraging group chat engagement and participant connection.
Increase Interaction of Zodiac Compatibility Feature:
Strengthen the feature’s influence and credibility while adding depth.
Findings & Recommendations
Event Discoverability & Filtering
Finding 01.
Difficulty Finding Available Events:
Unnoticeable Filters and Cluttered Experience
Recommendation 01.
Difficulty Finding Available Events:
Clear structured filtering system
Finding 02.
Difficulty Finding Available Events:
Unclear events page layout and hierarchy
Recommendation 02.
Difficulty Finding Available Events:
Prominent tabs and Detailed listings
Finding 03.
Difficulty Finding Available Events:
Weak Distinction in event order
Recommendation 03.
Difficulty Finding Available Events:
Prominent tabs and Detailed listings
Finding & Recommendation 04.
Disjointed Event Participation Flow:
Incomplete Event Join and Reminder Flow
Users experienced confusion and hesitation after joining events due to the abrupt transition into group chats without context or confirmation. Many expected a preview or confirmation step before entering a group conversation and wanted more control over how they participated. To reduce friction and support user choice, we recommend adding a confirmation screen with key event details and clear options such as adding to calendar, messaging the host, or choosing to join the group chat. Additionally, users had difficulty tracking joined events due to unclear icons and a lack of visible reminders. Improving navigation to event history and adding clearer visual cues can create a more seamless and accessible event experience.
Finding & Recommendation 05.
Inactive Event Group Chat:
Low activity and limited conversation in group chats.
Many users hesitate to participate in event group chats due to a lack of attendee context, unclear event details, and uncertainty to initiate conversations in the silent groups. Without knowing who else is attending or what to expect, the experience felt distant and uncertain. To encourage more active engagement, we recommend adding clear attendee summaries, improving event descriptions, and supporting hosts with tools like pre-scheduled messages and suggested prompts. Providing profile visibility and simple, pre-event activities can also build trust and lower social pressure. An AI assistant or quick message suggestions can help break the ice and keep the conversation going.
Finding & Recommendation 06.
Zodiac Feature Mental Model Gap:
Unclear expectations and interpretation of the Zodiac feature.
Participants found the Zodiac Compatibility feature culturally interesting but misplaced and lacking depth. Its placement before a match felt out of context, and users were hesitant to spend in-app “Heart” payments without understanding how the feature worked. To improve engagement, we recommend repositioning the feature to appear post-match, adding clear purpose through personalized conversation starters, and offering a informative explanation of how compatibility is determined. Combining multiple personality and zodiac-based approaches can increase credibility. Redesigning the interaction to give users more control with useful suggestions can make the feature feel more meaningful and personally engaging.
In Conclusion
Improving Feature Engagement Through Clarity and Relevance.
Enhancing task feedback and tailoring events more personally to make the features more meaningful can help users connect more deeply with KRUSH’s key offerings.
Fixing Usability Issues That Get in the Way.
Improving navigation, feedback, and content clarity can remove barriers that currently prevent users from fully engaging with KRUSH’s features.
KRUSH’s Events and Zodiac Features Work Better for Users.
Both features sparked interest, but need clearer design and content to deliver on their full potential.
To improve engagement with these features, we recommended making key tasks—like joining events—clearer and more responsive, with visible feedback to confirm user actions. Events should also be surfaced in more personalized and timely contexts, so they feel relevant to each user’s interests and activity. Finally, the Zodiac Compatibility feature should be enhanced to feel more playful, with insights that are not only fun but also feel personally meaningful and worth revisiting.
Client Satisfaction and Next Steps
The KRUSH team was pleased with the findings and plans to implement our research insights and design recommendations as part of their feature updates during Summer 2025.
