Zoosk (Spark Networks)

Redesigning Zoosk Chat: Cleaner, smarter, more human

The challenge

The layout was cluttered, with too many distractions and unclear paths. Users struggled to send messages, leading to frustration and dropped engagement. Real-time feedback from users indicated pain points surrounding delays in typing indicators, message deliveries and presence cues.

My role

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Simplified the layout

I removed unnecessary UI elements, reorganized components into clear zones, and ensured that primary actions like “send,” and “reply” were always visible and intuitive.

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Intuitive messaging features

Introduced typing indicators, read receipts, and presence status so users know when someone is responding. Improved message threading and easy access to reactions.

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Real-time & responsive

Optimized performance so messages send and receive instantly, and connection status is clearly shown.

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Experience

Animations and transitions added subtle feedback (e.g. loading states, message send acknowledgment) to make the experience feel more alive.

Rebuild design system

For this project I had to rebuild the design system, starting with an audit of existing designs. I collected and organized all components to bring consistency across the platform. This helped make it easier to re-use components and iterate quickly.

Outcome

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Conversations feel more fluent and conversational. Less lag, fewer unintended actions.

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Users navigate the messaging UI with confidence, finding what they need without hesitation.