tinkl
Tinkl, founded by Essie Schlotterbeck (they/them), is a bathroom-finder app for trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals to locate safe, accessible restrooms. Essie aimed to create a more intuitive admin interface to streamline app management.
problem
Each story shared brings attention to the ongoing distress and discrimination that often accompany such experiences. Creating accessible, non-judgmental restroom options is a small act of inclusion; it is a fundamental step toward building an environment that respects the right to exist comfortably and authentically in public spaces.
Through user research, I discovered three primary challenges:
Content Moderation: Admins need tools to minimize harmful content uploaded to the platform.
Efficient Data Management: Admins must efficiently validate user access data, comments, and the restroom directory.
Future Scalability: The admin dock must support seamless workflows as tinkl grows.
These insights highlighted the need for an intuitive, scalable admin dock that empowers the team to maintain a safe, inclusive platform while allowing users to "pee in peace."
human-centered understanding
As a UX designer for tinkl, my task was twofold: streamlining the admin page for better efficiency and consistency, and elevating the platform’s overall brand identity to align with Tinkl’s evolving presence.
The project aimed to balance functionality and a refined visual language, creating a seamless user experience for the internal team while strengthening Tinkl’s brand identity throughout its platform. tinkl, being in an early stage of development, is expanding rapidly, and its features are still being refined across many areas.
The Admin Dock:
The Tinkl admin team requires a centralized dock that will support their essential functions, including:
User access validation
Reviewing user comments
Managing restroom directory listings
Key Findings
User-Centered Efficiency:
Streamlined navigation and simplified admin tasks, prioritizing user access validation and content moderation.
Focus on creating quick-access features for time-sensitive duties like flagging inappropriate comments and validating submissions.
Brand Alignment:
Ensured the design matched Tinkl’s growing brand identity—incorporating their signature color palette, transparency elements, and modern visual aesthetics.
Designed a system where functionality and design are intertwined—reflecting both usability and the visual cues that tie into Tinkl’s overarching tech presence.
Scalability for Growth:
Anticipated the company’s future growth and evolving needs, making sure the admin page was adaptable for future feature rollouts without adding complexity.
Scalable design elements to expand and accommodate additional user-generated content, features, and directories.
User Personas
The research informed two main personas:
Asha, The newly vetted tinkl Admin: As a recently onboarded tinkl admin, I would like to be able to easily access admin functions such as user access validation, reviewing user comments, and managing restroom directory listings.
Yara, The deactivated tinkl member:
Given the company’s plans for growth, it was crucial to design an admin system that allows the team to manage these duties efficiently, with minimal obstacles or complexity, especially as they scale. The goal is to prevent harmful content from being uploaded to the site while enabling users to "pee in peace."
Techniques
Brand Identity Integration
User Interview
Video Walkthrough
Wireframing
Prototyping
methods
Tools
Apple Notes Transcribe
Figma
design process
Bringing yourSpace VR to life requires a balance of strategy and creativity. Once I understood the core problems, it was time to map out potential solutions using my design process.
Define & Research:
Identified admin challenges in managing data, content, and the restroom directory.
Conducted research through a video walkthrough by the founder.
Ideate & prototype:
Designed streamlined layouts and workflows based on research insights.
Created low-fidelity prototypes, and refined them based on further feedback from an admin interview to understand workflows and pain points.
Rapid Prototyping:
Delivered a scalable and efficient admin dashboard, fully aligned with Tinkl’s goals for enhanced usability, growth, and seamless admin workflows.
IA Diagram
Visualizing the information architecture of Tinkl's admin dock to optimize data management, content moderation, and user workflows for scalability and efficiency."
Showcasing the workflow of Asha (she/they) reactivating Yara’s account, emphasizing the user list interface and reactivation prompt for efficient account management and streamlined support processes.
“The admin dashboards were especially helpful for fleshing out how the admin could navigate through and complete key tasks in a user-friendly way."
-Essie, Tinkl founder
summary
In the final design for tinkl’s admin interface, I strengthened the brand identity by showcasing their signature gradient color scheme, complemented with white and transparent element's to create a cohesive, visually appealing look. I also reorganized admin functions into logical groups within the dock, simplifying navigation and making it more intuitive for the Tinkl team to access essential tools. This approach reinforces the brand's visual presence, and usability, ensuring the admin interface is as functional as it is on-brand.
I thoroughly enjoyed working on tinkl’s admin dock and enhancing their brand identity. This project reinforced my passion for creating and refining brand identities, which has always been a strong interest of mine.
Initially, I faced challenges in defining the project’s scope due to the multiple directions it could take. After exploring various approaches, I focused on the scope to stay within time constraints.
This experience made the project more enjoyable and helped me improve my ability to maintain quality while prioritizing tasks effectively under tight deadlines.