In order to get to grips with the challenges ahead I began the project with a phase of work to speak to potential customers, outline key requirements, and begin to map out potential customer journeys.

This allowed me to create a structure and specification for the site that we used to craft the user experience.

A key challenge was to create a brand identity that appealed to creatives, gave a nod to the ethical underpinnings of the business, and yet felt well-engineered enough to establish the trust necessary for a marketplace app to thrive.

I designed an identity combining evocative illustration, earthy, vibrant colours inspired by projects in which the company proceeds are invested, and sharp, precise UI elements and typography.

The HumanWorks platform is large and complex, but as per the key brand values I designed it to feel straightforward, warm, and purposeful.

Each page and interaction was designed with action and clarity in mind, leveraging both best-practice and new pattern design styles in combination with a clearly defined visual hierarchy to create a user experience that feels intuitive and fresh.

Whether the user is creating a new project or responding to client feedback I wanted the experience to feel unique to HumanWorks.

Consequently, strategic use of signature colours was key, along with clearly defined rules around composition and density of UI elements, resulting in interactions that feel recognisable yet unique.