TAPIN
How can live events help people form meaningful connections they didn’t get the chance to make in the moment?
Designing an AI-powered introductions feature for TapIn, a live event networking platform focused on meaningful connections. The feature uses event-specific attendee profiles to introduce you to relevant people even after your event has ended, giving everyone a chance to network like the pros. I led the work from flow mapping to high-fidelity UI design and developer handoff.
Platform
Web app
Role
Product Designer (solo)
Timeline
7 days (2025)
Tools
Figma
Background
Bringing intentional networking to live events
TapIn is a live event networking platform that gives attendees event-specific profiles, allowing them to see who “tapped in” and connect more intentionally.
After the MVP launch, I was brought on to expand the platform’s feature set, leading the design of AI Introductions, a new capability that helps attendees discover valuable connections they might have missed in person.
Networking at events is often inefficient and unpredictable. Attendees struggle to identify relevant connections, and time constraints make it difficult to meet everyone who could provide value.
Introduce an AI-driven introduction system that improves connection quality by aligning attendees based on shared interests, goals, and event context.
AI Introductions recommends relevant attendees based on shared roles, goals, and interests. Within 24 hours of the event, users receive a personalized email highlighting suggested matches and can continue exploring additional connections directly on the event page through interactive AI-powered cards.
Process
Designing for clarity, consistency, and connection
The PM and I first discussed which data inputs would drive AI Introductions and how they could best match attendees. From there, I focused on translating that logic into a clean, approachable design that felt native to TapIn’s system.
I redesigned the attendee cards to signal AI assistance through gradients, a visual cue commonly associated with AI features. Designing for both mobile and desktop was a challenge, especially with the new section explaining why someone was recommended. The added content made cards feel cramped, so I reworked the layout to open up whitespace and improve readability across devices.
We decided to notify users 24 hours after the event, giving them time to reset while keeping the experience fresh. On the event page, AI Introductions appear above the attendee list with a “More AI Recommendations” button that lets users explore additional matches at their own pace.
Outcome
Shaping TapIn’s vision for smarter networking
Although AI Introductions hasn’t launched yet, it quickly became TapIn’s competitive edge and will serve as a core feature once implemented.
The feedback from the team was really positive, especially around how clean and natural the feature felt. The gradients read as “AI,” and the flow between the attendee list and recommendations made the experience feel smooth and intuitive.
This project reminded me how much clear, thoughtful design can make new technology feel approachable and real.
Next Steps
Extending the experience beyond design
Next, I plan to design the email template that introduces users to their AI Introductions — something that feels personal and true to TapIn’s brand, not like another generic notification. I’ll also explore in-app notifications as a lighter, more immediate way to re-engage users who might miss the email.
Both of these touchpoints will help close the loop on the experience, giving users a clear, simple way to rediscover the people they might’ve missed and keep the connections going beyond the event.