My Role

• UX/UI Designer

• Collaborated with shareholders

This new site map balances comprehensiveness with simplicity.

Set 4 clear categories for both users and hosts: create, search, view, and manage.

Building on that, I incorporated fuchsia pink as the primary color to create a vibrant, cohesive look that aligned with the client’s vision and captured the celebratory spirit of the community.

The Solution

To address the fragmented and non-inclusive event discovery experience, I designed Queer Calendar, a mobile-first app that centralizes LGBTQ+ events and fosters community connection. I worked closely with Tamara, the shareholder and visionary behind the idea, to ensure the app reflected the community’s needs and her vision for inclusivity.

• Inclusive Event Discovery

  • Users can filter events by identity, interest, location, or virtual/in-person format.

  • Events are tagged with clear, inclusive categories to ensure all queer identities feel represented.

  • Collaborated with Tamara to define event categories and terminology that accurately reflect diverse queer communities.

• Personalized Calendar & Notifications

  • Users can save events to a personal calendar and receive reminders for upcoming events.

  • Integration with device calendars ensures easy scheduling and reduces missed opportunities.

• User-Centered Navigation & Visual Design

  • Clean, intuitive layout with accessible typography and color choices.

  • Streamlined browsing and search filters, which made it quick to find relevant events.

  • Iterated design decisions based on feedback from the CEO and potential users.

• Community Engagement Features

  • Options to RSVP, share events, and discover trending community gatherings.

  • Encourages social connection and builds a sense of belonging.

• Intuitive Onboarding

  • Optimized for smartphones to meet the needs of users who primarily access events on-the-go.

  • Fast set-up times, load times and smooth interactions enhance usability and satisfaction.

I then mapped out the app’s information hierarchy to capture its full scope. The initial site map was overly complex, so I refined it into a smaller, more manageable version, which provided a clear blueprint of the layout before moving into wireframes and visual design.

I knew the following key findings would shape the design most significantly:

1. Users need quick ways to filter events by location, identity, type, or accessibility

2. Organizers want a streamlined event submission process with minimal setup

3. Trust &safety features are critica; (moderation, verified events)

Reflections

If I had more time, I would expand accessibility testing, refine search algorithms, and scale the design system for future contributors. This project taught me how to balance community values with business goals while designing for inclusivity at scale.

Thanks for reading!

The Process

Old Site Map

To translate research insights into structure, I began with medium-fidelity wireframes. Working in this stage allowed me to focus on layout, navigation, and content hierarchy without being distracted by visual details. I moved quickly through iterations, ensuring each draft aligned with the client’s core design requirements.

Once we confirmed that the functionality and flow addressed the needs of the project, I transitioned into high-fidelity designs with greater confidence, knowing the foundation was solid.

I conducted remote testing with the CEO and a few volunteer users over Zoom. By walking them through prototypes, I gathered feedback on navigation and usability, which helped me refine flows and ensure the designs met both user needs and the client’s goals.