Simplified player management for pick-up sports

Background

FindAside is a platform that makes it easy to host and join pickup football games. I led the product from concept to MVP — conducting research, designing flows, and validating with real players.

Role: Product Designer, UX/UI Designer, Researcher
Team: UX/UI Designer (Me), Backend Developer, Frontend Developer
Tools: Figma

The problem

Organisers were wasting hours managing dropouts, messages, and payments manually across WhatsApp and Revolut.

Players struggled to find games unless they already knew a host.

It's chaos every week, I spend most of my time recruiting players and when the game is over I have to chase the one's who didn't pay.

— Regular game organiser

Research & Insights

User Interviews: 5 participants (game organisers & players)
Competitive Analysis: GoodRec, Football Matcher, Footy Addicts, Celebreak
Key Findings: Organisers need tools for player recruitment, payment tracking, and communication. Players want easy game discovery and reliable payment options.

Hosts want simplicity not automation

Payments are the biggest headache.

Players prefer joining through existing networks.

Design process

Step 1
IA & User Flows

Step 2
Wireframes

Step 3
UI Design

Step 4
Prototype testing

1. Information Architecture & User Flows

Mapped out the core user flows for game creation, player management, and payment collection to ensure a smooth user experience.

2. Wireframes – Mid-fidelity

Translated user flows into mid-fidelity wireframes, focusing on layout and functionality before adding visual design.

3. Visual Design

Developed a clean and intuitive visual design, incorporating a modern color palette and typography to enhance usability.

4. Prototype & Usability Testing

Created an interactive prototype in Figma and conducted usability tests with 5 participants to identify pain points and refine the design.

Prototype testing - List of games to Game details screen

Prototype testing - Game details screen to Confirmation screen

Final solution

The final design provides a comprehensive solution for pick-up sports organisers and players, simplifying game management and enhancing the overall experience.

Impact & outcomes

✓

Simplified game organisation

Organisers can now create games, invite players, and track payments with ease, reducing administrative burden and stress.

💰

Improved payment collection

Automated payment tracking and reminders ensure organisers get paid on time, eliminating the need for manual follow-ups.

👥

Increased player engagement

Players can easily discover and join games, view game details, and communicate with organisers, fostering a more active community.

📈

Positive user feedback

Users praised the app's intuitive interface and comprehensive features, highlighting its potential to revolutionise pick-up sports.

This app is a game-changer! It's made organising my weekly football games so much easier. No more chasing payments!

— Mark, Football Organiser

Reflection & learnings

This project reinforced the importance of thorough user research and iterative design. Understanding the pain points of both organisers and players was crucial in developing a solution that truly met their needs.

I also learned the value of clear and concise communication throughout the design process, especially when collaborating with developers and stakeholders. Regular feedback loops ensured alignment and helped refine the product.

Hand holding pencil drawing wireframe/sketch

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