Hotstep
Where Movement Meets Motivation
MY ROLE
Product Designer
TEAM
1 PD, 1 Dev, Founder
TIMELINE
2021
When COVID-19 locked down the world, dancers everywhere lost their studios, their communities, and their creative outlets. Physical distancing meant no more group classes, no more studio energy, and no more shared passion for movement.
We created Hotstep when "stepping out" wasn't allowed. To bring the studio experience home. To prove that even in isolation, dancers could still connect, learn, and grow together. And to transform the constraints of lockdown into opportunities for a new kind of dance education.
What We Wanted Hotstep to Achieve
Style Guide & Components
User Journey & Wireframe
Here's what we built
We created a comprehensive dance learning ecosystem where community meets education, complete with personalized recommendations, live interactions, competitive elements, and professional instruction.
Getting Started
To begin using the app, users must either create a new account via email or sign up using social media networks. Users must then pick their interests in order to get customized recommendations.
Homepage
The homepage serves as a vibrant hub where users can explore different dance styles, discover new instructors, browse classes and courses, and see what's trending in the community.
Dance Styles & Filtering
Users can explore different dance styles with intelligent filtering by skill level, duration, and specific teachers. Each style gets its own visual identity while maintaining platform consistency.
Classes & Courses
Users can choose between individual classes for immediate learning or comprehensive courses that build skills progressively. Each option clearly displays what users will learn and achieve.
Events & Competition
Users can register for dance events and vote for contestants, creating a vibrant community where learning transforms into celebration. Winners are determined by community votes, fostering engagement.
Leaderboard
The leaderboard system tracks user progress and activity, ranking participants based on course completion and event performance. This gamification encourages consistent engagement and friendly competition.
Live Classes
When physical studios closed worldwide, live classes became Hotstep's heartbeat. Interactive sessions with internationally recognized choreographers created authentic studio experiences, complete with real-time feedback and community energy that helped combat isolation.
Instructor Profiles
Comprehensive instructor profiles include introductions, social media links, and class offerings, helping users connect with teachers who match their learning style and goals.
Calendar Integration
Users can add events, live classes, and courses to their calendars with automatic reminders one hour before each session, ensuring they never miss important learning opportunities.
Profile & Settings
The profile section displays all user activity, viewing history, and payment records. Users can update personal information and preferences while tracking their dance journey progress.
Subscription Model
Hotstep offers flexible subscription options allowing users to pay for individual lessons or access all classes and courses through comprehensive subscriptions.
Micro-Interactions
Custom popups were designed for various events including class completion, purchases, app updates, and payment issues. Each popup uses illustrations that evoke appropriate emotions like celebration or encouragement.
Empty States
Thoughtfully designed empty states transform moments of absence into opportunities for discovery and engagement, guiding users toward their next dance adventure.
What I Learned
Designing during a global crisis taught me that technology's greatest power isn't in replacing human connection, it's in preserving it when everything else falls apart. The most successful elements of Hotstep came from understanding that during lockdown, we weren't just designing for learning; we were designing for hope, community, and mental wellness.
Every design choice needed to serve not just functional needs but emotional ones. This project reinforced my belief that design can be a lifeline during humanity's darkest moments, transforming constraints into opportunities for deeper human connection.
Client Testimonial
"Aman is a good designer with great knowledge about aesthetics. He gets involved in the project and gives useful inputs. I highly recommend Aman to others. He is definitely a great team member to have. He did a great job for our website and app."
Vinay Khandelwal, Founder of Hotstep
