Chicago Cost of Living

Understanding and improving the experience for Recreational Pickup Pickleball Players (RPPPs).

Role

User Designer

Team

Melissa Vozar

Timeline

January - March 2026

Tools

Figma
HTML
AirTable

Over 10 weeks, my team and I decided to extensively research the target user group, which we termed Recreational Pickup Pickleball Players (RPPPs). We defined this group as players who primarily play an average of 1–12 times per month and primarily engage in open play.

Overview

In Northwestern’s IDS 405: User Research, taught by Michael Callero, I developed practical skills for understanding user needs and applying research insights to inform product and service design decisions. Throughout the course, I gained hands-on experience selecting and conducting appropriate research methods to address real world challenges. I worked directly with users to gather insights, synthesize findings, and translate them into actionable recommendations. I also learned how to communicate research outcomes effectively by preparing clear, compelling presentations.

Background

Pickleball's rapid growth has created a widening gap between player demand and the infrastructure available to support it. 44% of players cite overcrowded courts as the single biggest barrier to getting on the court, 39% of players struggle to find opponents of comparable skill, and no formal systems exist for most recreational players to find courts or compatible players. For casual, recreational players, the open play experience is filled with barriers that the sport has yet to solve.

Problem

  • Pickleball Players

  • USA Pickleball

  • Local Government & Parks

Stakeholders

To better understand the pain points and social dynamics at open play pickleball courts, my team and I conducted five field studies across diverse public court locations at varying times and days of the week, observing players in real-world environments.

Data Set

HTML

Site-Map

To gain a better understanding of this potential experience, we conducted 11 interviews with individuals who met our criteria of a Recreational Pickup Pickleball Player.

Case Study Slides

Check out more of my work!