Dating apps have made meeting new people easier than ever, but endless swiping, curated profiles, and an overwhelming number of choices can make dating feel increasingly impersonal. For this project, I explored how Hinge could move people beyond the screen and create more opportunities for genuine, face-to-face connection.
I developed Hinge 80s Speed Dating, an experiential campaign centered around an immersive, 1980s-themed dating event. The nostalgic setting gave participants permission to feel less polished and more playful, helping break the ice before the first conversation even began.
People are not looking for more matches. They are looking for better connections.
I developed the campaign concept, creative direction, and visual identity—designing a flexible system that could extend across outdoor advertising, promotional posters, event menus, tickets, environmental graphics, and supporting digital assets.
The concept began with the insight: before dating apps, meeting someone required showing up, starting a conversation, and embracing a little uncertainty. Although technology has transformed how people meet, the excitement, vulnerability, and spontaneity of connecting in person still hold tremendous value.
I chose the 1980s as the creative foundation because the decade felt bold, optimistic, and unapologetically social. Retro fashion, music, and visual culture gave the event a distinct personality while creating a playful environment where attendees could loosen up and engage with one another more naturally.
I treated every campaign piece as part of the attendee experience. The outdoor advertisements and promotional materials introduced the event’s world, while the tickets, menus, signage, and digital graphics carried that identity into the physical space. Together, these elements created a cohesive journey from the first campaign impression through the event itself.
Design Approach
I wanted the visual identity to feel nostalgic without becoming a literal reproduction of 1980s design. I combined saturated color palettes, geometric graphics, retro-inspired typography, neon lighting, and glitch textures with contemporary layouts to create a system that felt energetic, memorable, and unmistakably social.
Throughout the campaign, I used oversized imagery and unexpected still-life photography to build a heightened version of the decade. Red rotary phones, colorful cocktails, playful food styling, and bold fashion became recurring visual elements that helped establish the event’s sense of humor and personality.
The experience was designed around structured speed-dating rounds that encouraged attendees to meet face-to-face, share authentic conversations, and connect beyond a curated profile. By pairing Hinge’s focus on meaningful relationships with an immersive social environment, I positioned the brand not simply as a dating app, but as a facilitator of real human connection.
The project allowed me to explore how a digital-first brand could come to life as a physical experience. It also demonstrated how a strong central idea can extend across advertising, environmental design, and event collateral while maintaining a clear and cohesive identity.
