Build IRL

UX Design Intern

Creating a club-community building platform to help reduce burnout in club builders.

Context

What is Build IRL?

Build IRL ↗ is a platform designed to empower club builders with the right tools and the right people to bring in-person communities to life. Build IRL is redefining how communities are built by building clubs with members.

Problem

What issue is Build IRL facing?

Club builders are overwhelmed from juggling 5+ disconnected tools, burning out from logistics, and struggling to attract the right members. On the flip side, potential joiners hesitate to commit because they can't gauge a club's vibe or credibility upfront.

Build IRL needed to define its core user flows and identify which MVP features would reduce this friction and bring its value proposition to life.

Research

Here's what club builders are saying

We interviewed builders across different community types to better understand the problem. Three insights stood out:

80%

relied on 5+ disconnected tools, wasting time and missing RSVPs

65%

burned out from unsustainable event logistics

44%

said new members hesitate to join due to lack of visibility

"I spend hours on invitations and logistics. It's draining."

💡 Our goal wasn't to jump into solutions, but to really dig deep and understand the "why" behind builder burnout.

Goal

How Might We…

reduce burnout for club builders and build trust for joiners, so that both sides can form lasting connections?

Solution

Club Joiner Flow

Our research showed joiners hesitate without visibility into club culture. This flow surfaces vibe, interests, and personality upfront to build trust before commitment.

Solution

Club Builder Flow

We gave our club builders flexibility: start from scratch if you know your vision, use AI for a jumpstart, or import from Instagram to keep your branding consistent.

💡 Note: This walkthrough shows the "Create from scratch" flow. Reach out if you'd like to see the AI or Instagram import paths!

Process

Synthesizing Research Insights From Our Builders

We synthesized our builder research and interviews into affinity maps, personas, and insight statements to identify patterns and pain points to ultimately guide our design direction.

💡 Here's a snapshot of one of our affinity mapping sessions, where we grouped insights to understand builder frustrations and identify recurring patterns.

Process