Monopoly Events started back in 2015, born out of a real love for all things 80s pop culture. Since then, it’s grown into Europe’s leading fan convention organiser, now running over 20 shows across the UK every year.
They’ve got three main event brands, so there’s really something for everyone:
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Comic Con – This one’s the big multi-fandom party, with everything from celebrity guests and gaming to epic cosplay.
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For the Love of… – These events are more niche, diving deep into specific genres or fandoms.
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Comic Con Mania – Perfect for families, these are fun-packed, one-day shows with a more relaxed vibe.
I originally pitched the idea for a Comic Con app a couple of years ago — and after much planning, design, and development, it’s now officially in beta testing for the next 90 days! Instead of building separate apps for each event, we created a centralised portal for fans to explore and engage with multiple Monopoly Events in one place.
🛠️ From Idea to Beta
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💡 16+ years of Comic Con experience in the UK & US shaped the fan-first vision.
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🔍 Began with UX research into competitor apps to pinpoint the features fans truly value.
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🧱 Designed wireframes, site maps, and UI concepts, moving through the full app lifecycle — from concept to working product.
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🚀 Gained hands-on experience in push notifications, App Store and Google Play setup, and the live deployment process.
🎯 Problem Statement
Fans needed a smoother, more connected experience across Monopoly Events’ growing portfolio. The challenge: centralize everything — guests, schedules, maps, updates — while keeping it simple and exciting.
👥 Target Audience
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First-timers and hardcore fans of Comic-Con, horror, sci-fi, wrestling, and more
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Families attending one-day events
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Cosplayers, collectors, gamers, and pop culture lovers
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Fans who want quick access to updates, maps, and guest info
🧭 Design Goals
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Combine all events into one sleek, fan-friendly hub
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Real-time updates and alerts
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Customizable schedules and reminders
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Event venue maps
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Visual themes tailored to event brands
🧪 Process
1. Research & Planning
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Analysed feedback from past event attendees
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Compared existing fan event apps to identify gaps
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Prioritized mobile-first design principles
2. Design & Prototyping
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Created user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity UI designs
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Focused on bold visuals, simple navigation, and high accessibility
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Tailored content around each event brand (Comic Con, For the Love of…, Comic Con Mania)
3. Development & Testing
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Collaborated closely with Monopoly Events, adopting a test-and-learn approach to continuously improve the app by analyzing fan feedback and comments after each event
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Integrated push notification systems
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Deployed beta version for real-world testing across multiple events
📲 Key Features
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Event Hub: See upcoming shows and key info at a glance
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Custom Schedule: Add panels, guests, and reminders
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Live Updates: Push notifications for schedule changes or surprises
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Event Maps: Navigate venues with ease
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Fan Zone: Share photos, join contests, and more
✅ Impact (So Far)
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Early beta testers report smoother event planning and improved access to live updates
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Reduced confusion on-site thanks to in-app schedules and maps
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Positive user feedback on layout, visuals, and ease of use
🔮 Next Steps
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Gather beta feedback and refine UX and UI
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Launch the full version 2.0
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Explore in-app community tools and fan-to-fan connections

I originally pitched the idea for a Comic Con app a couple of years ago, and now it’s finally in beta testing for the next 90 days! Instead of creating separate apps for each event, we’ve built a centralized portal for multiple Monopoly Events Comic Cons.
💡 From Idea to Beta:
- 16+ years of Comic Con experience in the UK & US helped shape the fan-focused design.
- Started with UX research on competitors, identifying key features fans need.
- Designed wireframes, site maps, and UI concepts, leading to a full app lifecycle from design to development.
- Hands-on learning in notifications, Apple & Google Play setup, and live deployment.