PROJECT: 8bit Arcade ● ROLE: UX designer/researcher ● DURATION: April 2026 (3 weeks)

PROJECT VISION

My vision for the 8bit Arcade event check-in app was to create a seamless, user-centered experience that removes friction from the event entry process. Drawing from key pain points identified in user personas, such as long wait times, confusion around schedules, and difficulty accessing event details, I designed an intuitive solution that prioritizes clarity, efficiency, and accessibility.

This app was intentionally designed as a mobile-first experience, allowing users to conveniently check in to events directly from their personal devices. By integrating features like QR code scanning, clear event scheduling, and simplified navigation, users can quickly access what they need without unnecessary steps. Every design decision was guided by user needs, ensuring that the experience feels effortless, engaging, and aligned with the fast-paced, nostalgic energy of the 8bit Arcade environment.

1. Balancing a simple interface with essential features without overwhelming users

2. Creating a low-stress, self-service check-in experience with minimal human interaction

3. Optimizing usability and readability for mobile screens and quick interactions

4. Maintaining accessibility while using a bold, neon-inspired visual style

KICKOFF

The project kickoff began as a solo effort where I established the foundation for the work by defining the problem space, clarifying project goals, and identifying the intended users. I outlined key assumptions, constraints, and initial success metrics to guide the direction of the design process. From there, I mapped out a research and exploration plan to ensure the project stayed grounded in user needs and design intent. This early phase helped set a clear structure and focus for the rest of the UX process, from discovery through iteration.

“What problem am I truly trying to solve?”

“Who am I designing this experience for?”

“Why does this solution matter to users?”

“Where do the biggest user pain points exist?”

“When does this experience break down for users?”

“Which assumptions need to be tested first?”

After the kickoff, I synthesized the initial findings into affinity maps to organize patterns, themes, and recurring user needs. This helped me break down unstructured insights into clearer problem areas and identify key pain points that needed to be addressed. From there, I explored possible solution directions through early ideation and iteration, translating those insights into potential features and interaction flows. This process allowed me to stay grounded in user needs while quickly testing different approaches before narrowing in on the most viable solutions.

MEET THE USERS

PRIMARY

Name: Marcus

Age: 19

Occupation: Student

Marcus is a socially anxious attendee who needs a contactless, digital check-in option because traditional in-person check-ins with staff and crowded lines cause stress and discourage him from fully enjoying the event.

“I just want to check in and enjoy the event without having to talk to people.”

For my 8-Bit Arcade event check-in app, I analyzed existing event management and check-in platforms such as Eventbrite Organizer, Whova, Cvent, and Splash to understand how they handle guest entry, user flow, and overall event experience. While these tools are effective for traditional event operations, they differ significantly from the goals of my app, which focuses on a playful, low-stress, mobile-first arcade-themed experience.

Eventbrite Organizer

• Focuses on ticket scanning and transactional check-in

• My app prioritizes a playful, immersive arcade-style entry experience rather than a formal scanning process

Whova

• Designed for conferences with networking, agendas, and session tracking

• My app removes complexity and instead offers a simple, fast check-in flow with minimal cognitive load

Cvent

• Enterprise-level system built for large-scale corporate events and logistics-heavy coordination

• My app is lightweight and mobile-first, designed for casual or themed events rather than corporate environments

Splash

• Strong emphasis on branded event pages and marketing/RSVP management

• My app shifts focus from pre-event marketing to in-the-moment user experience at check-in

Across all competitors, check-in is treated as a functional, operational step rather than an experience. My 8bit Arcade app fills this gap by creating a stress-free, low-interaction, and visually engaging check-in process that reduces anxiety and aligns with the nostalgic arcade theme.

My low-fidelity prototype maps out a streamlined end-to-end user flow designed for quick, stress-free event check-in. Users begin on the homepage and navigate to the event details page, where they can explore information and select optional add-ons before proceeding to a simple shopping cart for review. From there, the flow moves into payment details and an order confirmation screen that includes a clear “check-in” button. After confirmation, users are provided with a QR code for entry, followed by an “Your Event Details” screen that summarizes key information. The experience concludes with an optional post-event survey to gather feedback and insights while keeping the core journey fast and uninterrupted.

After testing the prototype with five participants across task-based scenarios, several consistent usability issues emerged that informed the next iteration of the design:

Confusing navigation

Participants struggled to understand where to go next, often hesitating or backtracking due to unclear navigation pathways.

Too many unnecessary steps and elements

Participants noted that excessive icons, pages, and steps made the experience feel cluttered and more complicated than necessary.

No group check-in option

Users expressed frustration that there was no way to check in multiple attendees at once, making the process feel inefficient for group arrivals.

Lack of action confirmation

Testers were unsure if key actions (like adding items or completing check-in) were successful due to minimal or unclear feedback.