RelayChat, a real-time messaging app with group chats, private conversations, WebRTC voice/video calls, and a personalized AI assistant (Sydney AI).

Project Overview

RelayChat is a real-time messaging platform built for seamless communication across devices. It supports group chats, private conversations, and WebRTC-powered voice and video calls, making it easy for users to connect in different ways. The platform also includes Sydney AI, a personalized assistant that enhances chats with smart, contextual responses. Designed with a clean and responsive interface, RelayChat focuses on speed, reliability, and an intuitive user experience for both casual and collaborative use.

RESEARCH

The research behind RelayChat started with a simple question, why do some chat apps feel effortless while others feel frustrating after just a few minutes?

Looking closely at how people actually communicate revealed a pattern. Conversations are quick, unpredictable, and often switch between text, voice, and video without warning. Users don’t want to think about the app, they just want it to work. When messages lag, calls take too long to connect, or the interface feels crowded, the experience breaks instantly. Exploring different messaging platforms made this even clearer. The best ones stay out of the way. Clean layouts, fast message delivery, and simple navigation make conversations feel natural.

On the other hand, delays, cluttered screens, and too many steps to start a call create friction that users quickly notice. These insights shaped RelayChat into something focused and intentional. Real-time performance became the priority, the interface was kept minimal, and switching between chats and calls was designed to feel instant.

Sydney AI was designed as a dedicated, private chat for each user. It exists as its own space, giving users a direct and focused way to interact with AI whenever they need it. In the end, the goal wasn’t just to build another chat app, but to create a space where communication feels natural, fast, and uninterrupted.

DESIGN

SIGNUP FLOW

CHAT FLOW

GROUP FLOW

SYDNEY AI FLOW

PROFILE UPDATE FLOW

WHAT I LEARNT FROM BUILDING

Building RelayChat taught me how to balance real-time functionality with a clean, intuitive interface. I learned how critical it is for conversations, calls, and AI interactions to feel fast and effortless, while keeping the platform simple to navigate. Working on both the messaging features and the AI space helped me understand how different experiences coexist and how design choices in one area can impact the overall flow.

The project also strengthened my skills in managing real-time data, structuring chat histories, handling connection logic for calls, and designing responsive layouts that work smoothly across devices. Ultimately, RelayChat reinforced the importance of reliability, speed, and thoughtful interactions in creating a messaging platform that feels seamless and engaging for every user.