Connecting Climbers
Overview
A partner-finding app that connects climbers locally. I led design of the app UI, translating research and product vision into user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity designs, and created the marketing that fueled community growth and fundraising.
My role
Led design of the app UI and created marketing materials supporting fundraising and community outreach, from social assets to the pitch deck.
Project tags
Problem
Climbers struggle to find trustworthy, compatible partners nearby. The product needed to build trust quickly, reward participation, and turn one-off matches into an active local community.
Key UX research insights
RockBase was shaped by insights from interviews with 100+ climbers and continuously refined through ongoing research and community feedback.
Profiles help climbers choose a partner
Climbers felt profiles showed what they needed to decide who to climb with, and valued a private / public profile option and minimal personal information through Facebook login. They wanted more room to personalize: two more gear items, optional inputs such as weight, and an open text box.
Design responseProfiles lead with climbing grades, gear and a short bio, with Add Friend and Chat one tap away.
Filters and chat make matching easy
Filtering options made it easy to find the right partner, and climbers liked the Friends List and being able to chat in-app.
Design responsePartners filter by climb type, date and time, and every match leads straight to a profile and chat.
Climbers want to connect in the moment
Climbers asked to match with people already at the gym, and those new to climbing wanted an easier way in.
Design responseClimb Now matches climbers who are checked in at the same gym, and a Looking to try badge helps beginners find partners.
Process
Flows & IA
I translated research insights and our product vision into an information architecture, clear user flows and low-fidelity wireframes.
Tools:
- Figma
- Asana
Information architecture
The app’s structure: Home, Partners and Chat in the bottom nav, quick actions to schedule a climb or add a friend, and the user profile and settings.
Wireframes: profile and sessions
Low-fidelity flows for profile set-up, the home feed of invitations and sessions, session details, settings and the user’s own profile.
Wireframes: partner matching
Partner filters by location, climb type and level, matched climbers grouped by day, and another climber’s profile with options to add a friend, schedule a climb or chat.
High-fidelity designs
I turned the wireframes into high-fidelity designs that defined the product experience, then handed them off to engineering.
Tools:
- Figma
- Zeplin
- Adobe XD
- Asana
Key screens
Gym check-in with partner filters, the climbing schedule, a climber profile with grades and gear, the gym ePass and punch pass, and chat.
Brand & outreach
I also supported the startup’s growth by designing marketing and outreach materials, including event banners, promotional print materials, and the fundraising pitch deck.
I designed promotional stickers featuring Rockie, the RockBase mascot, to support brand recognition and community outreach.
Tools:
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Procreate
Rockie the mascot
Promotional stickers featuring Rockie for gyms, events and partner collaborations.
Social media
I created social media assets to promote giveaways, partnerships, feature launches, and events, helping build awareness and strengthen connections with the user community.
Tools:
- Adobe Creative Suite
Campaign posts
Posts announcing feature updates, yearly milestones, partnerships, giveaways and events.
Impact
Research-driven design turned RockBase into a trusted community app, loved by climbers and adopted by gyms across the country.
11K+
new climbing connections made through RockBase
30%
of climbing gyms in Canada adopted RockBase
App store reviews
“A great app for a climber of all levels. I have recently started to climb and it is a great source to find gyms in your area, and fellow climbers willing to help or climb with. They have ties with companies/gyms from all over to help provide the best deals possible for members. Truly an app made by climbing enthusiasts, for enthusiasts!”
“Love this app! I am a brand new climber, and I'm excited that there is an app to connect with other climbers and find people to go with. Definitely worth downloading!”
“Overall Great App! I love that ice, dry, and mixed was added!”
“My favorite feature is that it allows you to input what gear you have so if you are missing something that you need, like a belay device, it allows you to find partners who have whatever you’re missing.”
