Tool
Figma, Keynote, QuickTime, Zoom
CommissionHub
An innovative online platform that streamlines and enriches the commissioning experience.
Overview
My journey began with the vision to address the challenges that artists and commissioners face in the scattered and often confusing world of commissions. As artists myself, I've been there - juggling commission requests from various platforms, struggling with disorganized communication, and facing uncertainties in the process. I understand the need for a unified solution that simplifies the commission process, and that's exactly what i’m designing.
Role
UX Designer
UX Researcher
Method
Cognitive Walkthrough , Primary User Research Protocol , Prototype Plan, Video walkthrough, Interviews,
Freelance Artist
Users who are Artists seek a streamlined commissioning process, better visibility, and simplified communication. They encounter issues with scattered communication and platform fragmentation, which hinder their ability to work with their clients.
Art-Commissioners
Users commissioning artists aim for an efficient, secure, and quality-driven experience. They often struggle with scattered searches, and fragmented communication channels.
Primary User Groups
The Process
In the course of this project, I began by identifying personal pain points experienced during my freelance art career, recognizing the need for a solution that streamlines the commissioning process. I conducted extensive research, including competitive analysis, directed storytelling interviews, usability testing, and user journey mapping, to understand the diverse needs of artists and commissioners. The findings from this research guided the development of key features for CommissionHub, addressing pain points such as scattered communication, portfolio management challenges, varied commissioning experiences, and the desire for a supportive community. The iterative design process involved prototyping and continuous refinement, resulting in a user-friendly platform with essential features like a comprehensive messaging system, streamlined commission requests, portfolio showcasing, and organized settings. The unique feature of detailed project management was incorporated to centralize project information, and a special offering allows commission requests without the need for account creation, enhancing accessibility. This comprehensive approach ensures that CommissionHub meets the real and varied needs of users, contributing to a more efficient and enjoyable commissioning experience for both artists and clients.
Findings
The entire research process led me to identify key pain points.
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Artists often receive commission requests from various sources, leading to scattered communication channels. Managing client requests, feedback, and project details can become confusing and overwhelming.
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Commissioners might face difficulties in managing commissioned projects efficiently. A lack of dedicated tools for tracking progress, receiving updates, and managing revisions can lead to a less organized commissioning experience.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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Commissioners may find it challenging to express their commission requests clearly, leading to misunderstandings with the artist. Ambiguities in the requesting process can result in dissatisfaction with the final artwork.
CommissionHub Features
From the multitude of pain points, I derived the key features for CommissionHub.
Login page
Profile page
Home/landing page
message page
Discovery page
Project management page
The Significance
This project holds personal significance for me as it directly addresses challenges I encountered during my freelance art career, where managing commissions across various platforms led to confusion and inefficiencies. I initiated this project to create a solution that I wish I had—an all-encompassing platform that simplifies the commissioning process, fostering a more organized and enjoyable experience for both artists and clients. It reflects my commitment to improving the creative collaboration landscape based on firsthand experiences and observations in the field.
What I Learned
Through this project, I gained valuable insights into the intricacies of user experience (UX) design by addressing real-world challenges within the creative industry. Managing the development of CommissionHub allowed me to enhance my skills in user research, usability testing, and iterative design. Understanding the diverse needs of both artists and commissioners enriched my ability to create a user-friendly interface that balances functionality and simplicity. This hands-on experience not only strengthened my UX skills but also deepened my appreciation for the importance of user-centric design in solving practical problems. CommissionHub has been a pivotal step in my UX career journey, providing a tangible showcase of my ability to translate user needs into a well-designed and impactful solution