My Framer Site

Netflix Match

Spend less time searching and more time watching. See what’s next!

Just add your partner and start swiping. Yes, it is that easy!

12-16 min read

Sofia, Bulgaria

Radoslav Milev

20.09.2024

Personal Project

Project Overview

Brief Overview

In this case study, I’ll take you through my journey of designing

Netflix Match, an app that allows two people to connect, pick movie categories, and swipe through options (similar to Tinder) until they both match on a movie they like, which they can then watch together on Netflix.

Motive

Many people struggle to agree on what movie to watch together, especially when they enjoy different genres. This often leads to wasted time or indecision. Netflix Match is designed to facilitate the process of finding a movie by allowing users to swipe through series/movies and match on one they both want to watch, making movie night easier and more enjoyable.

My role

I was responsible for the entire process, from sketching initial ideas to creating a fully functional prototype. This case study explores the problems I identified, my process of discovering insights, and the final solution I developed.

Target Audience

Netflix Match targets couples, friends, or roommates who share a Netflix account and often watch movies together but have trouble choosing one they both like.

Ideation and Process of Discovery

Initial Concept

One night me and my wife were trying to find a movie to watch. We started browsing Netflix and before we realize it was time to go to bed. So I tell this story to my friends and in turns out they had the same experience not once or twice.

And that’s how the idea of Netflix Match was born.

I started with a simple concept: an app for Netflix where two people (originally intended for couples, but of course, it doesn't have to be) can add each other as partners and swipe until they match on a movie/series they both like.

Sketches and Early Ideas

My early sketches were rough but helped me visualize how the app could solve the problem of browsing for hours before you find something to watch.

I was at work the next day and this “awesome” idea comes to mind. I had to sketch everything on paper so I don’t lose it. And that’s how everything started.

I started sketching my User Personas, then I went on to the Screens and then User Flows as well.

Discovery of Insights

The sketch phase ended quickly as I pulled up my sleeves and opened Figma. I started by creating some of my components, then I went on to build the screens when I realized that I need two scenarios - 1. if the user has added a partner in the app, and 2. if the user hasn’t got a partner yet. Along the way I’ve encountered a lot of problems, unknowns and insights.

Over time, as I revisited these sketches and reflected on feedback from friends and fellow designers, I gained insights that transformed my original concept. I discovered that what im trying to build is actually already out there - I was going to use the same principle as in that famous dating app.

App Goals & Objectives

The main problem I set out to solve was to reduce the time spent in searching for the perfect movie. Users were frustrated because they tend to spend longer time searching than watching and also the whole process tends to be a little bit boring and tiring. This problem was especially prevalent for people between the ages of 19-32 years old, and it had significant consequences on the quality of time spend together especially in the evenings.

Solving this issue would help people spend quality time together therefore increase user’s satisfaction with the app. After all it is all about making it faster and more fun for two people to decide on a movie to watch together.

Possible Solutions and Thought Process

Exploring Different Solutions

I explored several possible solutions. My initial thought was “I need to design something new and interesting!”. Then after my research I came to conclusion that there already are apps with similar role. The difference was that I wanted this to work for Netflix only since this is the platform that initially sparked my interest. After my research I found some similar apps but nothing worked exactly the way I wanted it to.

Thought Process

Initial Idea: Large Movie Library: I started by thinking of a big movie library where users could browse, but soon realized this didn’t solve the core issue: helping two people agree on a movie quickly.

Exploring Personalized Recommendations: Then, I considered personalized recommendations, but it still felt too time-consuming and didn’t make the process collaborative. And also Netflix was already doing that...

I needed to make the decision process fun for both users. That's when I thought of dating apps like Tinder, where swiping made decisions quick and engaging.

The Swipe-to-Match Concept: The swipe-to-match mechanism clicked. It could speed up decision-making while making it fun. Two users swiping through movies until they both liked the same one added an exciting element.

From there, I focused on optimizing the user experience — I tried to keep it simple and engaging, ensuring the process was seamless, and integrating key features like adding partners and tracking matches.

Screens and Prototype

Visual Design

The interface was kept minimal and intuitive, with big movie posters taking center stage to help users focus on their choice. I also incorporated Netflix-like colors (black, red, and white) to create familiarity.

User Flow

User’s first step would be of course discovering the app. I imagine it would be either through ads, influencers or friends. In this scenario I chose to add a nudge when they open Netflix. It is going to look something like this:

9:41

Introducing Netflix Match!

Pair up, select your genres, and swipe for your next movie night!

Netflix Match

Your Movie Night, Perfectly Matched!

Finding the right movie is now a fun, shared experience. Here's how it works:

Add Your Partner: Connect with your partner and dive into the world of movies together.

Pick Your Genres: Select your favorite genres or leave it open to all genres for more variety.

Swipe to Match: Swipe right on the movies you love and see what your partner chooses. It’s a match when you both swipe right!

Discover new favorites and make every movie night special with Netflix Match. Start matching now!

See on App Store

Add a Partner

Then the User needs to finish the most important step in order to use the app and that is adding a partner. Here’s a short preview of the process of adding a partner.