Fire Safety
An original card game made into an app.
Have you ever been ghosted after a few date nights that you thought went well? Have you ever been pressured to get back in to the dating scene by your not-so-single friends? Do you sometimes find yourself unsure of what’s right and wrong when it comes to dating?
Are you ready to play with fire? Fire Safety is a card game that has you and your friends sharing unpleasant experiences and frustrations with today’s dating culture through heated discussion. Learn the fire safety procedures as you play, and keep the flame in your own personal dating life contained.
App Design
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Overview
Creating an app to make Fire Safety easily accessible to play, in the case that you’re in the middle of a pandemic.
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Problem
Adapting the idea of sharing and discussing from a group-playing-a-card-game-in-a-circle to an online and digital space.
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Goals
Continue the discussion around dating culture in a digital space
Add features that make the game more enjoyable to play
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Research
I surveyed a group of 25 people ranging from the ages of 18-30 asking them this question: “What do you dislike about today’s dating culture?” The responses were gathered to form prompts that would lead the discussions.
I studied the features and aesthetics of card games in the app store. There are many unofficial apps of Cards Against Humanity that stayed true to the “card game” experience. I also looked at game app designs that weren’t card games, and took note of commonalities.
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Target Users
American young adults from the ages of 18-30 that are frustrated with dating culture, uncertain with their views, or want to share and hear other perspectives.
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Process
Create mood board
Research features from existing card game apps
Sketch wireframes
Create design system & design prototype
Present design to software developers for feedback (repeat)
Revise & finalize prototype
Wireframes
One of my goals was to transform the card game digitally, so that groups of friends could play even when they weren’t in the same room. I realized that I needed to design different screens for two groups: the Igniter and the Fanners. What will the Fanners see while the Igniter is still choosing? What about when there’s still time left and a few of the fanners already voted?
In every round, the Igniter votes first. Fanners cannot make their vote until the Igniter has locked in theirs. They see exactly what the Igniter sees, but it’s greyed out; this allows the Fanners to preview the prompt and start forming their initial perspective. If the timer is on, allowing the Fanners to read the prompt before their turn allows more time for discussion.
Design System
Typography
Color Palette
Iconography
Final Design
The final prototype follows the flow of a player that creates their own online lobby with friends. You will see Tina’s screen as she plays as the Igniter in the first round and a fanner in the second.
Card Game
Fire Safety wasn't always a card game. Initially, I only had the idea of creating something based on what I disliked about today's dating culture. There was one thing that I was sure of: I wanted conversation, a meaningful dialogue amongst people.
The more I talked about my frustrations, the more I realized that other people felt the same way. Additionally, people who weren't already aware began to understand the need for a change in dating behavior and habits.
This card game became a tool for others to learn about healthy and not healthy relationships, an opportunity to understand others' views, and a safe environment to share any frustrations.