‘esbabi
‘esbabi
‘esbabi
A Respectful Approach to Muslim Dating
A Respectful Approach to Muslim Dating
A Respectful Approach to Muslim Dating
MY ROLE
UX Lead - Logo & Branding, Illustration, Visual Design, User Flows, Rapid Prototyping
UX Lead - Logo & Branding, Illustration, Visual Design, User Flows, Rapid Prototyping
UX Lead - Logo & Branding, Illustration, Visual Design, User Flows, Rapid Prototyping
DELIVERABLES
Component Libraries
Component Libraries
Component Libraries
User Interviews
User Interviews
User Interviews
High Fidelity Designs
High Fidelity Designs
High Fidelity Designs
TEAM
Product Managers
Product Managers
Product Managers
Developers (Web and
Mobile)
Developers (Web and
Mobile)
Developers (Web and
Mobile)
CLIENT / YEAR
Orcsys Labs - 2023
Orcsys Labs - 2023
Orcsys Labs - 2023
Dating With Faith at the Center
Dating With Faith at the Center
Mainstream dating apps promise connection, but for many Muslims, they feel alien. Swipe-first mechanics, casual conversations, and an emphasis on volume over value clash with principles of modesty, respect and intention.
Mainstream dating apps promise connection, but for many Muslims, they feel alien. Swipe-first mechanics, casual conversations, and an emphasis on volume over value clash with principles of modesty, respect and intention.
Mainstream dating apps promise connection, but for many Muslims, they feel alien. Swipe-first mechanics, casual conversations, and an emphasis on volume over value clash with principles of modesty, respect and intention.
‘esbabi was born from a different vision: to create a platform where Muslims could seek meaningful relationships in a way that honored their faith. Privacy wouldn’t be an optional setting — it would be the default. Respect wouldn’t be a filter — it would be the foundation.
‘esbabi was born from a different vision: to create a platform where Muslims could seek meaningful relationships in a way that honored their faith. Privacy wouldn’t be an optional setting — it would be the default. Respect wouldn’t be a filter — it would be the foundation.
‘esbabi was born from a different vision: to create a platform where Muslims could seek meaningful relationships in a way that honored their faith. Privacy wouldn’t be an optional setting — it would be the default. Respect wouldn’t be a filter — it would be the foundation.
Respect Before Romance
Respect Before Romance
From the start, it was clear this wouldn’t follow the playbook of Tinder or Bumble. While online dating is increasingly common across the world, in many Muslim communities it carries unique cultural sensitivities.
From the start, it was clear this wouldn’t follow the playbook of Tinder or Bumble. While online dating is increasingly common across the world, in many Muslim communities it carries unique cultural sensitivities.
From the start, it was clear this wouldn’t follow the playbook of Tinder or Bumble. While online dating is increasingly common across the world, in many Muslim communities it carries unique cultural sensitivities.
Before designing anything, I conducted interviews with Muslim singles, reviewed cultural commentaries and mapped pain points.
Casual culture — endless swiping and ghosting created distrust.
Exposure anxiety — users worried about revealing their photos and details too quickly.
Safety gaps — few apps offered tools for accountability or family involvement.
These insights reshaped my role. I wasn’t just designing an app. I was building a digital space where faith and technology could coexist without compromise.
Before designing anything, I conducted interviews with Muslim singles, reviewed cultural commentaries and mapped pain points.
Casual culture — endless swiping and ghosting created distrust.
Exposure anxiety — users worried about revealing their photos and details too quickly.
Safety gaps — few apps offered tools for accountability or family involvement.
These insights reshaped my role. I wasn’t just designing an app. I was building a digital space where faith and technology could coexist without compromise.
Before designing anything, I conducted interviews with Muslim singles, reviewed cultural commentaries and mapped pain points.
Casual culture — endless swiping and ghosting created distrust.
Exposure anxiety — users worried about revealing their photos and details too quickly.
Safety gaps — few apps offered tools for accountability or family involvement.
These insights reshaped my role. I wasn’t just designing an app. I was building a digital space where faith and technology could coexist without compromise.
Components & Design Language
Components & Design Language
A product like this needed a careful visual foundation. The design system balanced simplicity with warmth, drawing on cultural cues without being stereotypical.
A product like this needed a careful visual foundation. The design system balanced simplicity with warmth, drawing on cultural cues without being stereotypical.
A product like this needed a careful visual foundation. The design system balanced simplicity with warmth, drawing on cultural cues without being stereotypical.
Calm palette to emphasize trust and reduce visual noise.
Custom avatars illustrated with modest, relatable characters so profiles felt humanly represented without exposing identities.
Reusable components — from conversation cards to moderation flags — ensured consistency as features expanded.
Calm palette to emphasize trust and reduce visual noise.
Custom avatars illustrated with modest, relatable characters so profiles felt humanly represented without exposing identities.
Reusable components — from conversation cards to moderation flags — ensured consistency as features expanded.
Calm palette to emphasize trust and reduce visual noise.
Custom avatars illustrated with modest, relatable characters so profiles felt humanly represented without exposing identities.
Reusable components — from conversation cards to moderation flags — ensured consistency as features expanded.
Continuous prototyping was key. Each iteration revealed a delicate balance: users wanted the familiarity of modern apps, but without the distracting, addictive behaviors those apps often encourage. ‘esbabi’s design system became that balance — calm, modern and deeply respectful of its community.
Continuous prototyping was key. Each iteration revealed a delicate balance: users wanted the familiarity of modern apps, but without the distracting, addictive behaviors those apps often encourage. ‘esbabi’s design system became that balance — calm, modern and deeply respectful of its community.
Continuous prototyping was key. Each iteration revealed a delicate balance: users wanted the familiarity of modern apps, but without the distracting, addictive behaviors those apps often encourage. ‘esbabi’s design system became that balance — calm, modern and deeply respectful of its community.
Navigating Constraints With Conviction
Navigating Constraints With Conviction
Designing for ‘esbabi meant embracing boundaries as creative direction. Initially, I hesitated about hiding profile pictures — wouldn’t that make users disengage? Testing proved the opposite. Users valued the restraint, seeing it as a sign of authenticity.
Designing for ‘esbabi meant embracing boundaries as creative direction. Initially, I hesitated about hiding profile pictures — wouldn’t that make users disengage? Testing proved the opposite. Users valued the restraint, seeing it as a sign of authenticity.
Designing for ‘esbabi meant embracing boundaries as creative direction. Initially, I hesitated about hiding profile pictures — wouldn’t that make users disengage? Testing proved the opposite. Users valued the restraint, seeing it as a sign of authenticity.
What seemed like a limitation became a strength. By respecting values rather than forcing patterns from other apps, ‘esbabi grew into something unique: not Tinder-for-Muslims, but a category of its own.
What seemed like a limitation became a strength. By respecting values rather than forcing patterns from other apps, ‘esbabi grew into something unique: not Tinder-for-Muslims, but a category of its own.
What seemed like a limitation became a strength. By respecting values rather than forcing patterns from other apps, ‘esbabi grew into something unique: not Tinder-for-Muslims, but a category of its own.
Avatars That Reflect Identity
Avatars That Reflect Identity
Since real photos were only revealed after a match, I designed custom avatars and mascots rooted in modesty and Muslim cultural themes. This preserved privacy while giving the platform warmth and relatability.
Since real photos were only revealed after a match, I designed custom avatars and mascots rooted in modesty and Muslim cultural themes. This preserved privacy while giving the platform warmth and relatability.
Since real photos were only revealed after a match, I designed custom avatars and mascots rooted in modesty and Muslim cultural themes. This preserved privacy while giving the platform warmth and relatability.
Safety Through Accountability
Safety Through Accountability
The in-app meetup system allowed users to schedule either virtual or physical dates. For in-person meetings, users could add the name of a guardian or mahram, building accountability and trust directly into the interaction flow.
The in-app meetup system allowed users to schedule either virtual or physical dates. For in-person meetings, users could add the name of a guardian or mahram, building accountability and trust directly into the interaction flow.
The in-app meetup system allowed users to schedule either virtual or physical dates. For in-person meetings, users could add the name of a guardian or mahram, building accountability and trust directly into the interaction flow.
Moderation That Respects Boundaries
Moderation That Respects Boundaries
A custom moderation dashboard helped flag inappropriate behavior, support dispute resolution, and ensure safety — without making users feel surveilled. It allowed moderators to review context fairly, balancing protection with respect.
A custom moderation dashboard helped flag inappropriate behavior, support dispute resolution, and ensure safety — without making users feel surveilled. It allowed moderators to review context fairly, balancing protection with respect.
A custom moderation dashboard helped flag inappropriate behavior, support dispute resolution, and ensure safety — without making users feel surveilled. It allowed moderators to review context fairly, balancing protection with respect.
Conversations With Intention
Conversations With Intention
Instead of endless chats, we introduced limited-time conversations. A single chat could be pursued at a time, expiring if left unattended. This structure nudged users toward serious intent, cutting down on ghosting and casual exchanges.
Instead of endless chats, we introduced limited-time conversations. A single chat could be pursued at a time, expiring if left unattended. This structure nudged users toward serious intent, cutting down on ghosting and casual exchanges.
Instead of endless chats, we introduced limited-time conversations. A single chat could be pursued at a time, expiring if left unattended. This structure nudged users toward serious intent, cutting down on ghosting and casual exchanges.
Key Metrics
Key Metrics
30%
Rise in meaningful conversations (those lasting beyond the first message), showing stronger intent and alignment with values.
15%
Adoption of the in-app meetup scheduler, with users noting the guardian/mahram feature as a trust-builder.
60%
More users completed their profiles once avatars and modest default illustrations were added.
“It feels made for us”
Direct user feedback highlighting trust, modesty, and intentionality as the reasons they stayed
30%
Rise in meaningful conversations (those lasting beyond the first message), showing stronger intent and alignment with values.
15%
Adoption of the in-app meetup scheduler, with users noting the guardian/mahram feature as a trust-builder.
60%
More users completed their profiles once avatars and modest default illustrations were added.
“It feels made for us”
Direct user feedback highlighting trust, modesty, and intentionality as the reasons they stayed
30%
Rise in meaningful conversations (those lasting beyond the first message), showing stronger intent and alignment with values.
15%
Adoption of the in-app meetup scheduler, with users noting the guardian/mahram feature as a trust-builder.
60%
More users completed their profiles once avatars and modest default illustrations were added.
“It feels made for us”
Direct user feedback highlighting trust, modesty, and intentionality as the reasons they stayed
Challenges & Closing
Challenges & Closing
With ‘esbabi, the challenge was balancing modern usability with cultural sensitivity. It taught me that sometimes the best features aren’t about adding more — they’re about removing friction and reinforcing values.
With ‘esbabi, the challenge was balancing modern usability with cultural sensitivity. It taught me that sometimes the best features aren’t about adding more — they’re about removing friction and reinforcing values.
With ‘esbabi, the challenge was balancing modern usability with cultural sensitivity. It taught me that sometimes the best features aren’t about adding more — they’re about removing friction and reinforcing values.
‘esbabi wasn’t about gamifying dating. It was about making space for Muslim singles to connect with dignity, purpose, and trust. In doing so, it opened the door for a more respectful future in dating tech.
‘esbabi wasn’t about gamifying dating. It was about making space for Muslim singles to connect with dignity, purpose, and trust. In doing so, it opened the door for a more respectful future in dating tech.
‘esbabi wasn’t about gamifying dating. It was about making space for Muslim singles to connect with dignity, purpose, and trust. In doing so, it opened the door for a more respectful future in dating tech.
Other Projects
Other Projects
Other Projects
Share with me
Got an idea?
Ready for a design adventure, or need product
design advice? Holla at me for fun collaboration.
Drop a message
Share with me
Got an idea?
Ready for a design adventure, or need product
design advice? Holla at me for fun collaboration.
Drop a message
Share with me
Got an idea?
Ready for a design adventure, or need product
design advice? Holla at me for fun collaboration.
Drop a message