Social Media Platform for Freelancers & Clients
Social Media Platform for Freelancers & Clients
Social Media Platform for Freelancers & Clients
Social Media Platform for Freelancers & Clients
My Role
My Role
My Role
Project Lead, Product Designer — Product Business Strategy, User Research, Interface Design, Usability Testing, Presentation
Project Lead, Product Designer — Product Business Strategy, User Research, Interface Design, Usability Testing, Presentation
Project Lead, Product Designer — Product Business Strategy, User Research, Interface Design, Usability Testing, Presentation
Team
Team
Team
Lin, Product Designer
Jobs, UX/UI Designer
Terry, UX Designer
Lin, Product Designer
Jobs, UX/UI Designer
Terry, UX Designer
Lin, Product Designer
Jobs, UX/UI Designer
Terry, UX Designer
Timeline & Result
Timeline & Result
Timeline & Result
1.5 months, Finalist Team (Top 8)
1.5 months, Finalist Team (Top 8)
1.5 months, Finalist Team (Top 8)
Project Type
Project Type
Project Type
Web Product Design (Design Competition)
Web Product Design (Design Competition)
Web Product Design (Design Competition)
Overview
Overview
Overview
SWAP is a startup that provides financial management solutions for freelancers. The company's goal is to help freelancers enhance work efficiency, and the next stage of the product is to expand the market and drive community effects.
We propose a social media platform designed for freelancers and clients to streamline the process of finding the right collaboration opportunities and fostering strong relationships. The product emphasizes that mutual and clear communication is essential to reduce communication barriers for both parties. The platform distinguishes itself from job marketplaces by prioritizing robust relationships that lead to significantly decreased communication costs before collaboration.
SWAP is a startup that provides financial management solutions for freelancers. The company's goal is to help freelancers enhance work efficiency, and the next stage of the product is to expand the market and drive community effects.
We propose a social media platform designed for freelancers and clients to streamline the process of finding the right collaboration opportunities and fostering strong relationships. The product emphasizes that mutual and clear communication is essential to reduce communication barriers for both parties. The platform distinguishes itself from job marketplaces by prioritizing robust relationships that lead to significantly decreased communication costs before collaboration.
SWAP is a startup that provides financial management solutions for freelancers. The company's goal is to help freelancers enhance work efficiency, and the next stage of the product is to expand the market and drive community effects.
We propose a social media platform designed for freelancers and clients to streamline the process of finding the right collaboration opportunities and fostering strong relationships. The product emphasizes that mutual and clear communication is essential to reduce communication barriers for both parties. The platform distinguishes itself from job marketplaces by prioritizing robust relationships that lead to significantly decreased communication costs before collaboration.
SWAP is a startup that provides financial management solutions for freelancers. The company's goal is to help freelancers enhance work efficiency, and the next stage of the product is to expand the market and drive community effects.
We propose a social media platform designed for freelancers and clients to streamline the process of finding the right collaboration opportunities and fostering strong relationships. The product emphasizes that mutual and clear communication is essential to reduce communication barriers for both parties. The platform distinguishes itself from job marketplaces by prioritizing robust relationships that lead to significantly decreased communication costs before collaboration.
HIGHLIGHT AT A GLANCE
HIGHLIGHT AT A GLANCE
HIGHLIGHT AT A GLANCE
A social media platform built for freelancers and clients, designed to streamline the process of finding the right collaboration opportunities and fostering strong relationships.
A social media platform built for freelancers and clients, designed to streamline the process of finding the right collaboration opportunities and fostering strong relationships.
A social media platform built for freelancers and clients, designed to streamline the process of finding the right collaboration opportunities and fostering strong relationships.
0.2 Homepage & Talent Profile
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0.3 Talents Exploration
VIDEO LOOP
0.4 My Partnerships
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0.1 UI Design Showcase
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0.1 UI Design Showcase
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The design process
The design process
The design process
0.4 Design Process
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CONTEXT
CONTEXT
CONTEXT
What are the challenges? What's next?
What are the challenges? What's next?
What are the challenges? What's next?
Evolving beyond just an
financial management tool
Evolving beyond just an financial management tool
Evolving beyond just an financial management tool
During the info session and Q&A at the competition's opening ceremony, we gained a deeper understanding of SWAP’s brand vision and challenges.
We also requested test accounts from SWAP's coordinator to explore the product firsthand. Additionally, we gathered valuable insights into the brand's business model and product strategy through conversation with the founders. (Figure 1.0 and Figure 1.1)
During the info session and Q&A at the competition's opening ceremony, we gained a deeper understanding of SWAP’s brand vision and challenges.
We also requested test accounts from SWAP's coordinator to explore the product firsthand. Additionally, we gathered valuable insights into the brand's business model and product strategy through conversation with the founders. (Figure 1.0 and Figure 1.1)
During the info session and Q&A at the competition's opening ceremony, we gained a deeper understanding of SWAP’s brand vision and challenges.
We also requested test accounts from SWAP's coordinator to explore the product firsthand. Additionally, we gathered valuable insights into the brand's business model and product strategy through conversation with the founders. (Figure 1.0 and Figure 1.1)
1.0 SWAP Product Stage
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1.1 Challenge to Build Scale
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The HMW Question
The HMW Question
The HMW Question
SWAP:
SWAP:
SWAP:
“HMW reduce communication barriers between freelancers and clients, increasing the number of projects and streamlining the collaboration process?”
“HMW reduce communication barriers between freelancers and clients, increasing the number of projects and streamlining the collaboration process?”
“HMW reduce communication barriers between freelancers and clients, increasing the number of projects and streamlining the collaboration process?”
Break down the problem first
Break down the problem first
Break down the problem first
We analyze the logic between the HMW question and the product strategy to clarify the project goal.
(Figure 2.0)
We analyze the logic between the HMW question and the product strategy to clarify the project goal. (Figure 2.0)
We analyze the logic between the HMW question and the product strategy to clarify the project goal. (Figure 2.0)
2.0 Break Down the HMW
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2.1 Project Process and Timeline
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USER RESEARCH
USER RESEARCH
USER RESEARCH
Where do both parties waste time in the collaboration?
Where do both parties waste time in the collaboration?
Where do both parties waste time in the collaboration?
Gain insight into freelancers
Gain insight into freelancers
Gain insight into freelancers
We conducted online interviews with 8 freelancers from diverse fields, each with different project experiences. The interviews covered three main aspects:
We conducted online interviews with 8 freelancers from diverse fields, each with different project experiences. The interviews covered three main aspects:
We conducted online interviews with 8 freelancers from diverse fields, each with different project experiences. The interviews covered three main aspects:
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire freelancing process.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire freelancing process.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire freelancing process.
Understand pain points in communicating with clients throughout the process.
Understand pain points in communicating with clients throughout the process.
Understand pain points in communicating with clients throughout the process.
The difference in working modes and communication styles between novice and experienced freelancers.
The difference in working modes and communication styles between novice and experienced freelancers.
The difference in working modes and communication styles between novice and experienced freelancers.
3.0 The Research Process
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The pain points in the collaboration
The pain points in the collaboration
The pain points in the collaboration
We organized the pain points into three aspects: Business Development, Project Management, Business Communication (Figure 3.1)
We organized the pain points into three aspects: Business Development, Project Management, Business Communication (Figure 3.1)
We organized the pain points into three aspects: Business Development, Project Management, Business Communication (Figure 3.1)
3.1 User Pain Points
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Finding the right collaboration opportunities is the most crucial
Finding the right collaboration opportunities is the most crucial
Finding the right collaboration opportunities is the most crucial
Initially, we focused on "clarifying requirements and communication issues" to reduce communication costs. However, upon tracing back the problem...
Suitable collaboration opportunities and strong relationships will significantly lead to efficiency improvement. Besides, in the early stages of relationship building, unclear information transmission and asymmetry can lead to an increase in communication costs.
Initially, we focused on "clarifying requirements and communication issues" to reduce communication costs. However, upon tracing back the problem...
Suitable collaboration opportunities and strong relationships will significantly lead to efficiency improvement. Besides, in the early stages of relationship building, unclear information transmission and asymmetry can lead to an increase in communication costs.
Initially, we focused on "clarifying requirements and communication issues" to reduce communication costs. However, upon tracing back the problem...
Suitable collaboration opportunities and strong relationships will significantly lead to efficiency improvement. Besides, in the early stages of relationship building, unclear information transmission and asymmetry can lead to an increase in communication costs.
3.2 Problem Assessment
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PROBLEM STATEMENT
PROBLEM STATEMENT
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we help freelancers and clients establish a "strong relationship"
to enhance the quality and efficiency of collaboration?
How might we help freelancers and clients establish a "strong relationship" to enhance the quality and efficiency of collaboration?
How might we help freelancers and clients establish a "strong relationship" to enhance the quality and efficiency of collaboration?
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IDEATION & BUSINESS STRATEGY
IDEATION & BUSINESS STRATEGY
IDEATION & BUSINESS STRATEGY
How can market expansion be achieved?
How can market expansion be achieved?
How can market expansion be achieved?
From vision to strategy
From vision to strategy
From vision to strategy
Starting from the product vision, we designed the business model and product strategy to drive user growth and revenue for the enterprise. (Figures 4.0-4.2)
Starting from the product vision, we designed the business model and product strategy to drive user growth and revenue for the enterprise. (Figures 4.0-4.2)
Starting from the product vision, we designed the business model and product strategy to drive user growth and revenue for the enterprise. (Figures 4.0-4.2)
4.0 Product Vision
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4.1 Platform Strategy
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4.2 Product Strategy
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Not just a freelance jobs marketplace
Not just a freelance jobs marketplace
Not just a freelance jobs marketplace
The platform distinguishes itself from job marketplaces by prioritizing robust relationships that lead to significantly decreased communication barriers before collaboration.
(Figure 4.3)
The platform distinguishes itself from job marketplaces by prioritizing robust relationships that lead to significantly decreased communication barriers before collaboration. (Figure 4.3)
The platform distinguishes itself from job marketplaces by prioritizing robust relationships that lead to significantly decreased communication barriers before collaboration. (Figure 4.3)
4.3 Product Positioning & TA
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DESIGN PRINCIPLES & SCOPE
DESIGN PRINCIPLES & SCOPE
DESIGN PRINCIPLES & SCOPE
Define design direction and design decisions.
Define design direction and design decisions.
Define design direction and design decisions.
Project Metrics & Constraint
Project Metrics & Constraint
Project Metrics & Constraint
Project Metrics
✷ Leading Indicators: Following numbers, Matching numbers, Completed projects
✷ Lagging Indicators: Number of established partnerships
Project Metrics
✷ Leading Indicators: Following numbers, Matching numbers, Completed projects
✷ Lagging Indicators: Number of established partnerships
Project Metrics
✷ Leading Indicators: Following numbers, Matching numbers, Completed projects
✷ Lagging Indicators: Number of established partnerships
Project Constraint
Connect with existing SWAP freelancers and enterprise products, considering existing users.
Project Constraint
Connect with existing SWAP freelancers and enterprise products, considering existing users.
Project Constraint
Connect with existing SWAP freelancers and enterprise products, considering existing users.
User Job Stories
User Job Stories
User Job Stories
JTbD #FreeLancers
JTbD #FreeLancers
JTbD #FreeLancers
When planning for long-term development,
I want to manage my brand and partnerships
so that I gain the trust of clients.
When planning for long-term development,
I want to manage my brand and partnerships
so that I gain the trust of clients.
When planning for long-term development,
I want to manage my brand and partnerships
so that I gain the trust of clients.
JTbD #CLIENTS
JTbD #CLIENTS
JTbD #CLIENTS
When outsourcing projects,
I seek to work with trusted freelancers
so that I can reduce communication costs.
When outsourcing projects,
I seek to work with trusted freelancers
so that I can reduce communication costs.
When outsourcing projects,
I seek to work with trusted freelancers
so that I can reduce communication costs.
North Star design principles
North Star design principles
North Star design principles
Create a network effect
Create a network effect
Create a network effect
Foster sharing and facilitate communication.
Foster sharing and facilitate communication.
Foster sharing and facilitate communication.
Make it easier to form partnerships
Make it easier to form partnerships
Make it easier to form partnerships
Help the users find suitable collaborators.
Help the users find suitable collaborators.
Help the users find suitable collaborators.
Assist in project management
Assist in project management
Assist in project management
Make crucial project information glanceable.
Make crucial project information glanceable.
Make crucial project information glanceable.
5.0 UI Design Decisions
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5.1 Design Proposal Scope
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PROTOTYPE TESTING
PROTOTYPE TESTING
PROTOTYPE TESTING
Does our prototype design align with user needs?
Does our prototype design align with user needs?
Does our prototype design align with user needs?
Conduct usability test
Conduct usability test
Conduct usability test
We invite participants to think aloud and interview them to gather insights. (Figure 6.0)
We invite participants to think aloud and interview them to gather insights. (Figure 6.0)
We invite participants to think aloud and interview them to gather insights. (Figure 6.0)
6.0 Tasks in Usability Testing
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Discover three main issues
Discover three main issues
Discover three main issues
Users provided feedback that the overall operation is smooth, but there are several aspects worth iterating in this proposal. (Figures 6.1, 6.2)
Users provided feedback that the overall operation is smooth, but there are several aspects worth iterating in this proposal. (Figures 6.1, 6.2)
Users provided feedback that the overall operation is smooth, but there are several aspects worth iterating in this proposal. (Figures 6.1, 6.2)
The buttons for finding projects or talents aren’t easy to notice.
The buttons for finding projects or talents aren’t easy to notice.
The buttons for finding projects or talents aren’t easy to notice.
Text usage is not intuitive. Some button labels are unclear to the participants.
Text usage is not intuitive. Some button labels are unclear to the participants.
Text usage is not intuitive. Some button labels are unclear to the participants.
Both parties have different priorities in project management.
Both parties have different priorities in project management.
Both parties have different priorities in project management.
6.1 Homepage Iteration
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6.2 Project Management Page Iteration
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FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
SWAP is where partnerships occur.
SWAP is where partnerships occur.
SWAP is where partnerships occur.
Profile & post the project
Profile & post the project
Profile & post the project
A transparent profile builds mutual trust. (Figure 7.0)
• Employer Project Post: Share project opportunities on the news feed, making them visible to the followers.
• Project Submission: Click "I want to post a project" directly from freelance profiles to submit a new project. (Figure 7.1)
A transparent profile builds mutual trust. (Figure 7.0)
• Employer Project Post: Share project opportunities on the news feed, making them visible to the followers.
• Project Submission: Click "I want to post a project" directly from freelance profiles to submit a new project. (Figure 7.1)
A transparent profile builds mutual trust. (Figure 7.0)
• Employer Project Post: Share project opportunities on the news feed, making them visible to the followers.
• Project Submission: Click "I want to post a project" directly from freelance profiles to submit a new project. (Figure 7.1)
7.0 User Profile
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7.1 Post the Projects
VIDEO LOOP
Find the right collaborators and opportunities
Find the right collaborators and opportunities
Find the right collaborators and opportunities
Clients
• Talents Exploration: Discover talents through their profiles or portfolio styles
• Freelance Profiles Quick View: Quickly understand freelancers' backgrounds, follow them, and start conversations. (Figure 7.2)
Freelancers
• Jobs Filtering: Filter jobs by budget range, achievement badges, and project duration.
• Jobs Bookmarking: Save jobs you're interested in applying for later. (Figure 7.3)
Clients
• Talents Exploration: Discover talents through their profiles or portfolio styles
• Freelance Profiles Quick View: Quickly understand freelancers' backgrounds, follow them, and start conversations. (Figure 7.2)
Freelancers
• Jobs Filtering: Filter jobs by budget range, achievement badges, and project duration.
• Jobs Bookmarking: Save jobs you're interested in applying for later. (Figure 7.3)
Clients
• Talents Exploration: Discover talents through their profiles or portfolio styles
• Freelance Profiles Quick View: Quickly understand freelancers' backgrounds, follow them, and start conversations. (Figure 7.2)
Freelancers
• Jobs Filtering: Filter jobs by budget range, achievement badges, and project duration.
• Jobs Bookmarking: Save jobs you're interested in applying for later. (Figure 7.3)
7.2 Talents Exploration
VIDEO LOOP
7.3 Jobs Exploration
VIDEO LOOP
Project manangement & collaboration records
Project manangement & collaboration records
Project manangement & collaboration records
• Project Progress Overview: Effortlessly switch between tabs to get a quick view of projects at various stages.
• Project Details: Key information is clearly documented, and users can customize modules and layouts to suit their needs. (Figure 7.4)
• Project Progress Overview: Effortlessly switch between tabs to get a quick view of projects at various stages.
• Project Details: Key information is clearly documented, and users can customize modules and layouts to suit their needs. (Figure 7.4)
• Project Progress Overview: Effortlessly switch between tabs to get a quick view of projects at various stages.
• Project Details: Key information is clearly documented, and users can customize modules and layouts to suit their needs. (Figure 7.4)
7.4 Project management
VIDEO LOOP
A symbol of mutual recognition
A symbol of mutual recognition
A symbol of mutual recognition
• Partner Status on Profile: Instantly build trust and gain more visibility on the platform.
• Partnership Management: Filter by contact status and send partner invitations. Both parties must confirm to establish the partnership, with the option to create custom partner labels.
(Figure 7.5)
• Partner Status on Profile: Instantly build trust and gain more visibility on the platform.
• Partnership Management: Filter by contact status and send partner invitations. Both parties must confirm to establish the partnership, with the option to create custom partner labels. (Figure 7.5)
• Partner Status on Profile: Instantly build trust and gain more visibility on the platform.
• Partnership Management: Filter by contact status and send partner invitations. Both parties must confirm to establish the partnership, with the option to create custom partner labels. (Figure 7.5)
7.5 My partnership
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The connection to financial tools
The connection to financial tools
The connection to financial tools
Matchmaking fuels user growth, with seamless links in the sidebar and project management that integrates with financial tools. (Figure 7.6)
Matchmaking fuels user growth, with seamless links in the sidebar and project management that integrates with financial tools. (Figure 7.6)
Matchmaking fuels user growth, with seamless links in the sidebar and project management that integrates with financial tools. (Figure 7.6)
7.6 Financial management tools
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PRODUCT ROADMAP
PRODUCT ROADMAP
PRODUCT ROADMAP
The story of a freelancer and client building a "beautiful relationship" through their collaboration journey
The story of a freelancer and client building a "beautiful relationship" through their collaboration journey
The story of a freelancer and client building a "beautiful relationship" through their collaboration journey
Vision
Vision
Vision
Our storyboard showcases the overall product value and user experience. (Figure 8.0)
A product roadmap that aligns with our vision (Figure 8.1)
Our storyboard showcases the overall product value and user experience. (Figure 8.0)
A product roadmap that aligns with our vision (Figure 8.1)
Our storyboard showcases the overall product value and user experience. (Figure 8.0)
A product roadmap that aligns with our vision (Figure 8.1)
8.0 Product Ideal Storyboard
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8.1 Product Roadmap
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Retrospective
Retrospective
Retrospective
We reached the final stage!
We reached the final stage!
We reached the final stage!
Great Success
Great Success
Great Success
We’re proud to be among the top 8 finalist teams invited to present our prototype live, with SWAP representatives in attendance.
We’re proud to be among the top 8 finalist teams invited to present our prototype live, with SWAP representatives in attendance.
We’re proud to be among the top 8 finalist teams invited to present our prototype live, with SWAP representatives in attendance.
9.0 The Demo Day and Adjudicator's comments
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Project takeaways
Project takeaways
Project takeaways
Focus on addressing core issues.
Focus on addressing core issues.
Focus on addressing core issues.
A clear and in-depth analysis of the enterprise’s core challenges is essential to ensure that research and execution are aligned with the right goals and carried out efficiently.
A clear and in-depth analysis of the enterprise’s core challenges is essential to ensure that research and execution are aligned with the right goals and carried out efficiently.
A clear and in-depth analysis of the enterprise’s core challenges is essential to ensure that research and execution are aligned with the right goals and carried out efficiently.
Pay close attention to design details and interactions.
Pay close attention to design details and interactions.
Pay close attention to design details and interactions.
Thoughtful consideration of design details and micro-interactions in the prototype will make the work more compelling and credible.
Thoughtful consideration of design details and micro-interactions in the prototype will make the work more compelling and credible.
Thoughtful consideration of design details and micro-interactions in the prototype will make the work more compelling and credible.
Highlight competitive advantages in product design.
Highlight competitive advantages in product design.
Highlight competitive advantages in product design.
Continuous innovation in product design is key to standing out and convincing users to choose our product over competitors'.
Continuous innovation in product design is key to standing out and convincing users to choose our product over competitors'.
Continuous innovation in product design is key to standing out and convincing users to choose our product over competitors'.
Next Project:
Next Project:
Next Project:
© 2024 Amy Hsieh
Built with ♡ and cereal
Contact
© 2024 Amy Hsieh
Built with ♡ and cereal
Contact
© 2024 Amy Hsieh
Built with ♡ and cereal
Contact
© 2024 Amy Hsieh
Built with ♡ and cereal
Contact