Matching Buddies is a pet adoption brand that brings joy and accessibility to the adoption process through branded interactive kiosks located in high traffic urban areas, like parks, malls, transit stations, and pet stores. The goal of this project was to create a cohesive brand identity and a playful, easy to use kiosk interface that makes it simple (and fun) for people to find a pet that fits their personality and lifestyle.
Many adoption platforms are either overly clinical or cluttered with too many options, making the process feel impersonal or overwhelming. The challenge was to design an engaging experience for Matching Buddies' public kiosks, one that was quick, intuitive, and emotionally resonant enough to spark a real connection between humans and pets, even in a busy environment.
To make the adoption journey feel more personal and enjoyable, I designed a guided matching experience based on user personality profiles. Instead of browsing aimlessly, users are led through a playful, thoughtfully structured survey with simple yet meaningful questions that help narrow down compatible pets. The interface encourages exploration without pressure and ends with a shortlist of pets that best match the user’s lifestyle, energy level, and preferences. The design also integrates a quick application form users can submit on the spot or later via mobile.
The core idea behind the identity was connection, specifically, the emotional bond between humans and animals. I explored dozens of visual metaphors and iconographic references used by existing adoption services to understand how trust, warmth, and companionship are typically conveyed. The final logo combines a stylized human and pet forming a heart like shape, reinforcing the idea of “perfect matches.” The color palette uses warm pastels and bold accents to strike a balance between friendly and modern, while soft, rounded typography makes the brand approachable in public facing contexts.
Before diving into design, I interviewed recent pet adopters and volunteers at local shelters to understand what makes a great adoption experience. Their feedback informed both the flow of the personality quiz and the types of filters used in the pet matching algorithm. I then developed wireframes for the kiosk interface, conducted informal usability testing, and iterated based on insights, especially around how much time users were willing to spend at a public kiosk and what information was most important at a glance.
Figma - for kiosk flow design, UI mockups, and interactive prototyping
Illustrator - for brand identity design and custom iconography
Photoshop - for layout polish and visual storytelling assets
Useberry - for testing early interaction flows and refining question logic.
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Screensaver with interesting messages of pets that are ready to be adopted.
Users are able to complete a 10 question personality assessment quickly and the results calculate matches based upon the pet’s and owner’s personalities.
You’re then able to schedule meetings, review adoption fees, and move to the shelter adoption process by scanning a QR code.