Interracial relationships are on the rise and society is becoming more inclusive and accepting. However, committed interracial couples still face a spectrum of challenges that are unique. These couples are unable to navigate race and religious based problems as they arise. They need a safe, reliable and inclusive space to access resources and advice.

How might we provide committed interracial couples guidance and resources that allow them to navigate race and religious based differences?

10 weeks

UX/UI Designer

Concept

Sketch

None

Time

Define interracial relationship

Learn about existing relationship support apps

Understand the demographic affected

Determine user needs and frustrations

Identify areas of opportunity

Open and frequent communication was an indicator of healthy interracial relationships.

Couples placed greater value on advice from individuals who have experienced their challenges & overcame them.

Significant family issues ie. racism, altering one’s behaviours, expectations & shunning.

Future concerns ie. wedding practices, raising children & meshing families.

Differences between partners ie. desire to understand differences, discrimination experienced by partner & cultural differences.

“Most of our friends are in interracial relationships, or have been at some point, so they are in support of interracial relationships.”

“[I] turn to my closest friends because they have dated interracially [and] understand where I’m coming from. [They’re a] source of support [and are] judging based on who you are as a person [and] compatibility. Race is not a thing at all.”

“My friends are skeptical about how long the relationship will ask. Maybe you should be with a brown guy. Speak that language.”

“The family expectation [is to] marry into the same culture.”

“[With family, it’s a] generational gap. They can’t wrap their head around it.”

“How did you get your families to be willing to understand each other? Get them to have an open mind?”

“He had to choose between his significant other and his family. Happy medium – we never came to. [We were] in the relationship for over three years.”

“[My partner’s family] asked me if I was a Canadian citizen. Asked if I celebrate any of the Indian holidays. When I said that I didn’t because of religion, his mom was surprised and said “I don’t believe in that shit” (she meant religion or God)… Fun fact: my ex’s mom called me exotic once. I felt like a bird.”

“I have been shunned by my family. They try everything to bring me back or to change my mind. [I have] to make my partner understand where my parents are coming from. I had to make her understand that they do not hate her for who she is as a human. It has to do with her culture, religion and way of living. [I want] strategies that I can use to convince my parents to accept us.”

“The wedding aspect scares me a bit. I don’t know how to make it ok for everyone and everyone to be happy. [There are other challenges that will arise such as] what kind of school to send [kids] to: Public or Catholic. Biggest [concern] is meshing the family. Our families have not met each other… Don’t know how that would go. Makes me scared.”

“[There was an] us vs. them mentality. What bridged the gap between larger families? Where there any things that they said ‘that’s just the way it’s going to be.’ How do you accept that difference, despite stress, for the sake of the relationship?

“I find good communication is what helps us the most.”

“Discrimination [is] almost always [directed] towards her. Hard to understand and support her in a way that will best encourage her. Supporting each other – whoever is receiving more of the discrimination.”

“Communication is important [between my partner and I].”

“What kind of questions should I be asking as we progress in our relationship?”

While the feedback was mostly positive from users, I plan on fleshing out the rest of the pages of the prototype, especially the Check In and Profile features. I plan to continue the iterative cycle of testing and updating the prototype.

Cupl can also be created for other platforms such as watch, tablet and web applications.

How might cultural habits change how your product is used?

Ideally, Cupl would become obsolete. If interracial relationships became mainstream and racism and difference were no longer societal issues, there would be no problem space. I look forward to a day when this becomes true.

And how might your product change cultural habits?

Cupl encourages people to discuss their differences to gain a better understanding of one another.

What’s the worst headline about your product you can imagine?

I managed to get away from the tinder-face UI. Regardless of appearances, the worst thing that could happen is that the app is used as a dating app or a swinger site. It’s purely advice based, people!

Who or what disappears if your product is successful?

The need for interracial couples to get advice from counsellor, well-meaning family and friends would disappear if Cupl became successful. Unless you’ve been in another’s shoes, it’s difficult to give advice on the complex issues that interracial couples face.