Stronger partnerships,
smoother collaboration .
Stronger partnerships,
smoother collaboration .
Stronger partnerships,
smoother collaboration .
Helping freelancers work smarter while growing lasting client relationships
Helping freelancers work smarter while growing lasting client relationships
ʕ·ᴥ·ʔ
❨•¨⬮
❨•¨⬮
Overview
Overview
SWAP is a startup that provides financial management solutions for freelancers. The next stage of the product is to expand the market and drive community effects.
We propose a social platform designed for freelancers and clients to streamline the process of finding the right collaboration opportunities and fostering strong relationships.
SWAP is a startup that provides financial management solutions for freelancers. The next stage of the product is to expand the market and drive community effects.
We propose a social platform designed for freelancers and clients to streamline the process of finding the right collaboration opportunities and fostering strong relationships.
Role
Role
Project Lead
Product Designer
Project Lead
Product Designer
Timeline
Timeline
Dec 2023
1.5 months, AAPD Challenge Finalist Team
Dec 2023
1.5 months, AAPD Challenge Finalist Team
Dec 2023
1.5 months, AAPD Challenge Finalist Team
Tasks
Tasks
Business Strategy
UX Design
Prototyping
User Research
User Testing
Presenting
Business Strategy
UX Design
Prototyping
User Research
User Testing
Presenting
Tools
Tools
Figma
Notion
Figma
Notion
Challenge Prompt
Challenge Prompt
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 prompt first
Break down the prompt first
We analyze the logic between the HMW question and the product strategy to clarify the project goal.
We analyze the logic between the HMW question and the product strategy to clarify the project goal.
Where do both parties waste time in the collaboration?
Where do both parties waste time in the collaboration?
Research Insights
Research Insights
Where do both parties waste time in the collaboration?
Where do both parties waste time in the collaboration?
We conducted online interviews with 8 freelancers from diverse fields, each with different project experiences.
We organized the pain points into three aspects:
Priority of the Problem
Priority of the Problem
Identify the fundamental problem
Identify the fundamental problem
The reason for the high communication cost is the unequal and unclear information exchange between both parties, coupled with a lack of relationship-building channels.
The reason for the high communication cost is the unequal and unclear information exchange between both parties, coupled with a lack of relationship-building channels.
HMW help freelancers and clients establish a "strong partnership" to enhance the quality and efficiency of collaboration?
HMW help freelancers and clients establish a "strong partnership" to enhance the quality and efficiency of collaboration?
Strategy & Ideation
Strategy & Ideation
How can market expansion be achieved?
How can market expansion be achieved?
The platform distinguishes itself from job marketplaces by prioritizing robust relationships that lead to significantly decreased communication barriers before collaboration.
The platform distinguishes itself from job marketplaces by prioritizing robust relationships that lead to significantly decreased communication barriers before collaboration.
Constraints
Constraints
Connect with existing SWAP freelancers and enterprise products, considering existing users.
Connect with existing SWAP freelancers and enterprise products, considering existing users.
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.
JTbD #FreeLancers
JTbD #FreeLancers
JTbD #FreeLancers
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.
Structure.
Ideas.
Design.
Flows.
Ideas.
Ideas.
Structure.
Structure.
Flows.
Flows.
Design.
Design.
Testing & Iterations
Think-Aloud Sessions
Testing & Iterations
Think-Aloud Sessions
Users provided feedback that the overall experience is smooth, but there are several aspects worth iterating.
Users provided feedback that the overall experience is smooth, but there are several aspects worth iterating.
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.
Both parties have different priorities in project management.
Both parties have different priorities in project management.
Introducing - SWAP Social Platform
Find suitable collaborators.
Build strong partnerships.
Introducing - SWAP Social Platform
Find suitable collaborators.
Build strong partnerships.
Final Design
Final Design
Project Posting & Profiles
Transparent profiles build trust.
Employers post projects directly from their feed or freelancer profiles.
Project Posting & Profiles
Transparent profiles build trust.
Employers post projects directly from their feed or freelancer profiles.
Finding Collaborators & Opportunities
Clients: Explore talent via profiles/portfolios, follow, and start chats.
Freelancers: Filter jobs by budget, badges, or duration; bookmark for later.
Finding Collaborators & Opportunities
Clients: Explore talent via profiles/portfolios, follow, and start chats.
Freelancers: Filter jobs by budget, badges, or duration; bookmark for later.
Project Management & Records
Quick project overview by stage.
Customizable project details with flexible modules.
Project Management & Records
Quick project overview by stage.
Customizable project details with flexible modules.
Partnership Recognition
Partner status badges build trust and visibility.
Manage partnerships with filters, invitations, and custom labels.
Partnership Recognition
Partner status badges build trust and visibility.
Manage partnerships with filters, invitations, and custom labels.
Financial tools Integration
Seamless links to existing financial tools.
Financial tools Integration
Seamless links to existing financial tools.
Result
Result
Top 8 finalist teams invited to present our prototype live.
Top 8 finalist teams invited to present our prototype live.
Stronger user connection.
Stronger user connection.
Clearer collaboration.
Better than last version.
Future-ready platform strategy.
Better than last version.
Reflection
Reflection
Focus on the real problem
Always ground research and design in core business and user challenges to ensure impact.
Design in the details
Thoughtful micro-interactions and polish make prototypes more engaging and credible.
Design for distinction
Thoughtful design choices and positioning highlight what sets the product apart.
Design in the details
Thoughtful micro-interactions and polish make prototypes more engaging and credible.
© 2025 Amy Hsieh
Built with ♥ and music
© 2025 Amy Hsieh
Built with ♥ and music
© 2025 Amy Hsieh
Built with ♥ and music
© 2025 Amy Hsieh
Built with ♥ and music