Love at First Write 2024
Strategy / Illustration / Experiential and spatial design / User-centred design / Research informed
Love at First Write is a unique dating experience, inspired by the fundamentals of romance, and curated by The Birmingham Pen Museum to kindle interest in Birmingham’s rich history of the steel pen trade. The experience is exclusively available at the museum for the weeks leading up to Valentines.
Tailored for young adults and early career professionals aged 20-30, the concept addresses the frustrations often associated with dating apps. The experience is strategically promoted on dating apps and featured on napkins in various food and drink establishments across Birmingham.
Set within a physical installation resembling a bar, on the Frederick St Museum facade, participants are guided by Cupid, a digital bartender. Here, they choose a drink that most aligns with them, from a menu that represents various types of pens and corresponds to different personality traits.
A nod to cheesy, classic, romantic comedies, participants inscribe their phone numbers on napkins. AI technology is then employed to analyse the personality traits from the users handwriting using graphology techniques.
Participants are encouraged to delve into the fascinating world of graphology at the Pen Museum with a 10% discount on entry. Post-experience, AI matches participants based on the compatibility of their personality traits revealed through graphological analysis.
Utilising their exchanged phone numbers, a chat is created, prompting couples to introduce themselves. The Pen Museum contributes to the budding romance by sending a 50% discount on tickets to the matched pair, inviting them to embark on their first date at the museum.
The aim of the experience is for the new couple to share their romantic success through word of mouth and social media. Increased visibility with a new demographic will increase footfall and contribute to the museum’s aim of relevance in a modern society.
Project created using Adobe Creative Cloud services and Figma.
*Mockups and mockup components used to enhance context and communication. Mockups and components sourced from Unsplash.com, Pixeden.com, Rawpixel.com, Pixsellz, and ProtoPie.