Forlanso
OVERVIEW
Forlanso is SaaS platform that connects freelancers with clients and provides tools to manage projects efficiently. The platform offers a marketplace for freelancers to find work and a workspace to promote communication and project management.
PROBLEM
Marketplace
Was outdated, unclear, and inaccessible. Users struggled to navigate the platform efficiently, which affected engagement and retention.
Workspace
Need to create a space where freelancers could easily communicate with clients, manage projects, track progress, and handle payments.
MY ROLE
I was responsible for the complete redesign with another fellow UX/UI designer.
IMPACT
Improved Search and Booking: Redesigned the search function and booking flow, making it easier for users to navigate and reducing drop-off during payments.
Better Workspace: Introduced new, intuitive screens for managing projects, invoices, and contracts, making it simpler for freelancers to use the platform.
Cleaner Design: Updated the layout with more white space, larger images, and a new colour palette to create a modern and visually appealing interface.
Enhanced Accessibility: Reorganised menus and features to ensure freelancers could easily find tools and resources, improving overall usability.
DESIGN PROCESS
Given the tight deadline, we prioritised comprehensive research over extensive testing to start the design process. This approach allowed us to quickly implement impactful changes while still ensuring that the designs met user needs.
RESEARCH
We began the project by conducting user interviews and surveys to understand pain points within the existing platform. To create Workspace, we also did a competitor analysis. Key findings from our research included:
Marketplace
Users had difficulty navigating through the Marketplace, with insufficient filters and a cluttered interface. This led to frustration and an inability to find relevant jobs or freelancers efficiently.
Workspace
Freelancers didn't have a workspace where they could manage their projects, communicate with clients, and track deliverables, which could lead to missing some documents, not tracking their work hours, etc.
TESTING & ALTERATION
Throughout the design process, we conducted usability testing with real users. Based on their feedback, we iterated on the initial designs, improving the interface and functionalities.
DESIGN
As Forlanso has two colours in their logo, we decided to assign those colours to two platforms. Blue to marketplace, and green to Workspace
Marketplace redesign
We improved filters and categories to help companies find freelancers.
Enhanced the user interface to ensure that information was presented clearly.
Reduced visual clutter and optimised the flow to ensure a smoother experience.
Freelancer Workspace
We designed a new workspace that allowed freelancers to:
Communicate with clients through a built-in messaging system.
Manage projects by tracking hours and tasks and keeping all deliverables organized.
Track payments and invoices directly within the platform.
This new feature streamlined the freelance workflow, making it easier for users to navigate multiple projects and communicate clearly with their clients.
RESULTS
Increase in user satisfaction
With users citing better navigation and clarity in finding relevant projects.
Reduction in users time
Users would find the right freelancer way faster, thank to improved filters.
improved communicatoin
In the interviews post redesign users agreed that communication is way easier and faster through the platform.
REFLECTIONS
It was first time where I could easily be a user (as I am working a lot as a Freelancer). I found it hard at the beginning not to suggest design changes based on my experience, not only research. Luckily with other designer next to me, it made it easier to distance myself.
Whole research process was very rushed within the company, as the stakeholders wanted to see designs, as fast as possible. Next time I would put more emphasis on explaining why research is important, when it comes to long-term vision.