PlayGrid - Redefining how the polo community connects, collaborates, and grows.
PlayGrid is an exclusive app for the polo community, connecting players, clubs, professionals, and enthusiasts. It provides powerful tools to form teams, manage events, and discover services, while also offering job listings and a shopping section for polo gear. With redesigned onboarding, modernized UI, and improved flows, PlayGrid now fosters deeper engagement and makes polo lifestyle more accessible and connected.
My role
UI/UX Designer - Redesign, Onboarding Flows, Feature Improvements, Visual Refresh
Timeline
3 weeks
Tools
Figma
Overview
Problem
PlayGrid had a strong concept but low engagement. Confusing onboarding, outdated UI, and underutilized features like job opportunities discouraged retention and limited growth.
Goal
Redesign the app to improve onboarding, modernize the interface, and restructure critical flows (like job opportunities) to drive higher engagement and community participation.
User Research
Research Approach
Stakeholder feedback and polo community research were combined with analysis of polo’s prominence in Argentina to shape personas that reflect real-world user needs.
Martín Alvarez
Age: 27
Player
🏇🏻
Profile
Semi-professional polo player balancing tournaments with part-time work.
Pain Points
Struggles to find reliable teammates quickly, and often misses opportunities due to lack of centralized communication.
Insight
Needs a platform that makes team formation and scheduling seamless.
Valentina López
Age: 41
Club Manager
👨🏻💼
Profile
Manages one of Argentina’s most active polo clubs, coordinating events and training schedules.
Pain Points
Finds it difficult to keep players updated on last-minute schedule changes.
Insight
Requires streamlined event management and notification tools.
Diego Torres
Age: 34
Enthusiast
🙋🏻♂️
Profile
A passionate fan and amateur player who follows polo tournaments closely.
Pain Points
Wants easier access to polo news, community products, and ways to connect with professionals.
Insight
Looks for a community hub that combines lifestyle with sport.
Lucía Fernández
Age: 34
Polo Groom & Professional
👨🏻🔧
Profile
Works with professional players and seeks jobs at clubs and tournaments.
Pain Points
Finds job opportunities scattered and hard to apply for efficiently.
Insight
Needs a clear, reliable platform for job listings and quick applications.
Empathy Lens
In Argentina, polo is both a professional sport and a cultural lifestyle. Users need tools that help them connect, stay updated, and grow in the community - whether as players, professionals, or enthusiasts.
Design Insights
From stakeholder inputs and user persona analysis, the following insights shaped the product:
🎯
Onboarding is the First Impression
Simplifying and restructuring onboarding was critical to reduce drop-offs.
📱
Modern UI Drives Retention
Users expect polished, easy-to-navigate interfaces that feel current.
💼
Highlight Underused Features
Redesigning flows like job opportunities made hidden value more accessible.
🌐
Community over Utility
The app needed to foster connections and engagement, not just provide tools.
Features & Highlights
The Outcome
The redesign transformed PlayGrid into a user-centered experience. Improved onboarding, modern visuals, and restructured flows encouraged retention and made key features like jobs more impactful.
PlayGrid is now positioned as the central hub for the polo community, combining networking, opportunities, and lifestyle features into one cohesive platform.
Final Showcase
The final design illustrates how PlayGrid evolved from a confusing, underused app into a modern, community-driven platform that makes it easy to connect, discover opportunities, and engage with the polo lifestyle.
Impact & Reflection
Impact
Reduced onboarding drop-offs by simplifying steps
Improved visibility and usage of job opportunities
Increased retention with a modern interface and clearer flows
Strengthened PlayGrid’s role as a community hub
My Learnings
This project reinforced how even a strong concept can underperform if usability and design are overlooked. By focusing on clarity, discoverability, and community engagement, we turned PlayGrid into more than just an app - it became a polo lifestyle platform.
