Pairs is a leading dating and matchmaking app in Japan.
I designed and continuously improved SNS Verification to help public figures and other highly visible users use Pairs with greater peace of mind—from the initial release through ongoing improvements.
Public figures and other highly visible users often hesitated to use Pairs because they were concerned about being recognized by people they know or becoming targets of impersonation. As a result, they found it difficult to pursue genuine connections on the platform.
While Pairs’ existing identity verification confirms a user’s identity, it does not verify their public presence on social media. To prevent people in unconventional professions from being viewed with suspicion, we needed a second layer of verification based on social media presence—not just identity.
I designed the verification badge icon for SNS Verification and explored multiple design directions for how it should appear across the product.
We needed to strike a balance: the design had to create enough distinction to encourage engagement without making verified users appear overly privileged. I explored multiple approaches to find the right balance.
During the design process, it became clear that a badge alone was not enough to distinguish verified users from unverified users or attract sufficient attention.
To make verified profiles recognizable at a glance, I explored multiple animation directions and designed motion that helped them stand out even when their profile photos were blurred.
I mapped out the application flow, including its branches and input steps, then designed each screen’s information architecture, copy, and layout so users could understand where they were and what to do next.
Alongside a feature landing page, I created a development story page to explain why it was created and how it came together.
To build understanding and encourage users to apply, I worked closely with stakeholders to align on the narrative and refine the content throughout the process.
To raise awareness of the feature, I also designed and produced channel-specific marketing assets, including App Store In-App Event assets, CRM banners, and a press release thumbnail.
