THE problem
Decrease in In-Person Attendance
Professional and collegiate teams are suffering from a lack of attendance resulting in a loss of millions of dollars, and a less than average experience for attendees.
THE solution
Interactive Fandom
FanZone bridges digital and in-person fan engagement through interactive polls, exclusive content, and personalized rewards, thus enhancing the live experience while providing teams with real-time insights and new revenue opportunities to act on.
overview
FanZone is designed to seamlessly bridge the gap between digital engagement and in-person experiences. With key features highlighted below, FanZone enhances the in-game experience and deepens fan involvement. This platform not only offers fans a memorable and immersive experience but also empowers teams and venues to optimize audience participation, build fan loyalty, and unlock new revenue streams. Functioning as a grey-boxing tool, FanZone allows teams to easily input their data and receive real-time insights, streamlining engagement strategies with actionable feedback.
KEY FEATURES OF THE PLATFORM
Interactive Polls
Personalized Rewards
Behind the Scenes Content
Utilization of Beacon & Geofencing Technology
MY DESIGN Process
FANZONE was a collaborative team project where I acted as both project manager and lead UX designer. We began with user research, surveys and interviews with sports fans, to uncover pain points around fragmented fan experiences. I led the creation of personas and journey maps, then facilitated ideation workshops and sketched wireframes to explore features like live commentary, polls, and fan rewards.
I built low-fidelity prototypes and led usability testing, using feedback to refine key interactions. I also kept the team on track by managing timelines, delegating tasks, and ensuring our designs stayed user-centered.
Interactive Polls
Interactive polls were chosen as a key feature to give fans a direct voice during live events, making them feel seen and heard in real time. This decision was rooted in our user research, which revealed that fans crave more active participation, not just passive consumption. By allowing them to vote on game-related questions, player stats, or halftime entertainment, we’re fostering a two-way interaction that deepens engagement, strengthens emotional investment, and builds a sense of community. This feature also provides valuable insights to teams and marketers about fan preferences and sentiment, informing smarter, more targeted engagement strategies.
personalized rewards
Personalized rewards were included to create a more meaningful and motivating fan experience. Our user research showed that fans are more likely to engage with content and attend events when they feel directly recognized and incentivized. By tailoring rewards based on fan behavior, such as attending games, participating in polls, or following specific teams, we encourage consistent interaction and brand loyalty. This feature not only enhances the fan experience, but also drives repeat engagement and increases revenue through targeted offers, merchandise discounts, and exclusive access.
BEHIND THE SCENES CONTENT
Behind the scenes content was selected to create a deeper emotional connection between fans and their favorite teams. Our research revealed that fans want more than just game-day action. They crave access to authentic, insider moments that make them feel closer to the players, coaches, and team culture. By offering exclusive content like our "LIVE" feature that only appears when the device is inside of a beacon perimeter (a marked stadium). This LIVE feature includes locker room footage, pre-game rituals, or player interviews. We’re humanizing the teams and building a sense of intimacy and loyalty. This feature not only increases time spent on the app, but also strengthens long-term fan relationships and differentiates the in-app experience from traditional broadcasts.
Utilization of Beacon & Geofencing Technology
To create an accurate interactive app for fans attending sporting events, we utilized beacon technology to provide location of seats, parking, restrooms, vendors, and first aid. Beaconing is where these devices send a signal to servers and initiates a pre-set trigger. For example, a person with a mobile device enters a stadium with a beacon set up, which then triggers a notification to be sent via the server to their phone informing them of offers, easy ticket access, or even directions to their seats.
low fidelity
HIgh fidelity
PERSONAL GROWTH Statement
FANZONE taught me how to design for emotion, energy, and community, not just functionality. Talking to fans showed me how deeply personal and social their game-day experiences are, and it pushed me to think about design as a way to amplify connection and excitement.
Leading a team also challenged me to step into a new level of responsibility. I learned how to guide a shared vision, keep momentum moving, and create space for collaboration while still holding user needs at the core.
More than anything, FANZONE reminded me that great UX isn’t just about usability, it’s about capturing what people care about and designing experiences that make them feel seen, included, and part of something bigger.
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