The document proposes a concept for a dating site called "Love Knows No Bars" that is designed for inmates but aims to attract a wider audience. It aims to minimize prejudice against inmates through an interactive introduction that does not initially reveal it is a site for inmates. The design uses a whimsical, non-threatening look to avoid instantly turning users off. It also aims to build user confidence through profile recommendations from friends or family of the inmate to provide more context for their character. While not all users will pursue inmate profiles, the goal is also to educate users about the prison system and encourage them to share the site.

1. Love Knows No Bars
The best love stories are unpredictable
Kate Farina
portfolio.katefarina.com

2. Goal
Dating sites for prisoners already exist and likely
attract a core audience.
Instead of merely making these sites look better,
my design is geared toward people who might
not consider inmates "date-able."

3. Challenges
Instant prejudice against inmates
Existing sites look unprofessional and don't
inspire confidence for users
Profile photos are unflattering

4. Challenges and Solutions
Instant prejudice against inmates
My concept minimizes this prejudice, by leading users through an
interactive series of questions before they discover that LKNB is for
inmates.
Existing sites look unprofessional and don't
inspire confidence for users
Love Knows No Bars doesn't look like a dating site.
Profile photos are unflattering
Add photo processing, putting all head shots in front of a clean, white
background. Offer premium photo service for an extra fee

5. Concept
Love Knows No Bars
doesn't announce itself
as a dating site for
inmates.
Instead, users
immerse themselves in
a fun series of
interactions as they
answer questions.

6. Design
The look is deliberately whimsical and very
non-threatening. The site could easily be
shared via social media, without users being
instantly turned off by the subject matter.
I used light, transparent
colors, round corners
and circles to keep the
look soft and fun.
The site appeals to the
inmate's friends and
family members, too.

7. Interaction
The initial interactions
are playful: pull sliders
and bubbles to indicate
preferences and values.
A fun, well-designed interaction will attract a
wide range of people. Even if they decide not
to use the site for dating, they might share it
with friends and social networks.

8. User Confidence
Online dating in any context is scary enough,
so why not make users feel more comfortable?
Love Knows No Bars requires
at least two friends or family
members to submit
recommendations on behalf of
the inmate before the profile is
posted. Users can read these
statements to get a fuller
sense of the inmate's
character.

9. Call to Action
Dating a prisoner clearly won't appeal to every user. Inevitably, some will not
click through to see more profiles or create their own.
They might, however, continue to click through to learn more about the prison
industrial complex, or choose to share Love Knows No Bars with friends.

10. Possible Users
30 year-old male inmate 27 year-old woman
○ Already used to online dating ○ Never previously considered
○ Seeking a quality relationship dating an inmate
that can continue upon his ○ Uses sites like Match and
release in four years eHarmony
○ Comfortable asking friends and ○ Open-minded but needs
family for help creating a profile reassurance
62 year-old woman
○ Divorced ten years
○ Enjoys writing letters
○ Looking for long-term relationship
with a Christian man