Initial Inquiry

Thanks for accepting the invite. Our company is a Toronto based company called “The Happenin Company”.

Business:
Our primary function is an event discovery platform that curates interesting events happening locally as well as our own branded exclusive events.

Our main competitors include:
Company A and Company B Experiences.

Website:
Our website is www.happenin.io, you can have a look at the websites current state for reference.

Problem:
The reason was described.

Goal:
The Goal was described.

Schedule:
We are looking to have an initial UI revamp incomplete in the next 2-3weeks. We can continue to work on the website after that in iterations but we need to improve from the current version as soon as we can.

Budget:
Can we schedule a meeting to break down the whole project into a different milestones, it will be easier for us to work out a budget with you by milestone.

Let me know when you’ll be available for a quick meeting and we can go from there. Thanks

Notes

Happenin APP, a funded startup based in Toronto, ON, originally had various ideas but had to pivot due to the impact of COVID. I had the opportunity to work closely with the team on Slack, and I was impressed by their lean startup approach, cohesive teamwork, and clear priorities set by the Director. To ensure a successful user interface design, I conducted thorough research in the industry and even experienced competitor apps firsthand. By immersing myself in the project, I was able to deliver a well-crafted user interface that aligns perfectly with Happenin’s vision and goals.

In the fall of 2023 (after the COVID), a lot of conferences were held across the United States. I had an opportunity to work with The China Project team.

The China Project is a New York-based, China-focused news, information, and business services platform. We inform and connect with a global audience regarding the business, technology, politics, culture, and society of China.

The China Project also held a conference called the ‘NextChina Conference 2023’ in New York City. I supported the creation of marketing materials on Canva. I also redesigned the landing page using Webflow. Communication was primarily conducted through Slack, and we maintained quick response times with no issues regarding time zones (EST and PT). I truly enjoyed collaborating with The China Project team.

Initial Inquiry

Looking for a high-level Web designer

Hi Takashi,

Would you be open to long-term work with us at Koala?

We are looking for an experienced web designer to help maintain and make improvements on our website design & functionality, email design & functionality, landing page design & functionality.

Notes

Customer care service is not a new concept. Service providers and mid-large size organizations now cater to a wide range of customers beyond borders. However, many of these companies are not keen on hiring and training full-time employees to manage customer care. I have a couple of experiences looking for an email address(chat service or a contact form) on the global company’s website to solve the issue I faced. It is often evilly complicated. Most of the cases, these companies are ignored a user’s inquiry.

Pain Points:
・Inefficient Response Times
・Lack of Personalization
・Inconsistent Support Quality
・Difficulty Reaching Customer Support
・Limited Support Hours
・Lack of Multichannel Support
・Unresolved Issues
・Language Barriers
・Overcomplicated Processes
・Limited Empowerment of Frontline Representatives

As a solution, organizations are increasingly turning to outsourcing to address these challenges. This is where industry specialists like Koara Care come into play. Collaborating with Koara Care, I had the opportunity to improve an existing website, ensuring a seamless and efficient customer care experience.

Company Culture Consultancy

The year 2020 brought unexpected challenges with the global impact of COVID-19. Many organizations found themselves struggling to align their goals with employees and cultivate a positive company culture. This is where Mighty Cultures steps in, offering innovative solutions to help organizations foster healthy and thriving workplaces.

I take immense pride in collaborating with Mighty Cultures to refine their brand identity and develop a dynamic website using Webflow.

With the expertise of Mighty Cultures, businesses can embark on a journey towards developing a strong and positive company culture. By addressing the unique needs and challenges of each organization, Mighty Cultures offers tailored strategies that inspire engagement, motivation, and employee well-being.

To complement their exceptional services, I had the privilege of enhancing their brand identity, ensuring it conveys their values and mission effectively. Additionally, I utilized Webflow’s powerful web development platform to craft a website that not only showcases Mighty Cultures’ expertise but also provides visitors with a seamless and informative experience.

Together, we are committed to empowering organizations to thrive and create workplaces where employees feel valued and connected.

Collaboration project with The Branded Agency

I started a collaboration project with a local agency in April 2022. I have been working with a direct client since I started freelancing, but CEO, chief everything officer, is tough to keep up for the long term. Therefore, I looked for contact/on-demand work at local agencies if they need outsourcing just in case.

Design agency’s pain point
– Don’t need full-time, on-demand preferable
– Seasonally busy
– There are mulch-task, graphic design and web design
– Looking for outsourcing, but don’t want to use UpWork or Fiverr for some reason
– Ideally local, same region or timezone
– Skilled, responsible and no communication issue

I can meet these criteria. I am sure that I can provide value to local agencies.

Collaboration project with The Branded Agency

Welcome to Laundry House, located in the heart of NYC, where we offer the cleanest and most refreshing laundromat experience for our users. In a bustling metropolis with a high-density population, we understand the importance of providing top-notch laundry services.

At Laundry House, we’re on a mission to reimagine laundry day for the millions of busy New Yorkers who entrust us with their laundry needs. Our goals are ambitious – we aim to revolutionize the time it takes to do laundry, elevate the cleanliness of your clothes, and even eliminate the need for you to lift a finger. Our commitment to service and cleanliness sets a new industry standard, underpinned by the belief that exceptional laundry care should be accessible to all.

While working on this project, I took the initiative to delve deep into the industry, understand the business landscape, and explore the user experience intricacies. This comprehensive approach allows me to deliver a truly tailored and innovative solution.

In my research, I identified common user pain points when it comes to traditional laundromat services. These pain points include time consumption, travel and accessibility, machine availability, cost, cleanliness concerns, limited amenities, difficulty with special items, lack of personalization, inconsistent results, and safety concerns.

Recognizing the potential for improvement, I meticulously crafted the sitemap, wireframe, and prototype using Figma. Through thoughtful design and seamless interactions, the new Laundry House website will be a testament to our commitment to addressing these pain points effectively.

The website will not only be aesthetically appealing but will also prioritize user convenience, time efficiency, and personalized experiences. By implementing cutting-edge solutions and exploring emerging trends in the laundry industry, we aim to redefine how users perceive and engage with laundromat services.

Laundry House is more than just a place to do laundry – it’s an experience that empowers users and elevates their daily lives. Join us on this exciting journey as we create a new paradigm in the world of laundry services, designed with you in mind.

Contribute to Vancouver(Canada) local Business

Chandler Fogden Lyman is a boutique entertainment law firm based in Vancouver, BC. We specialize in all areas of the film and television industry. With our extensive legal and business expertise in film, television, and digital media, we offer cost-effective solutions to some of the most talented individuals in the entertainment industry. Our team combines in-depth knowledge with practical hands-on experience in film, allowing us to effectively navigate the unique legal and business challenges faced by our clients.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with a local boutique law firm, assisting them in taking their online presence to the next level. Working with local clients who are eager to enhance their digital footprint is always an exciting endeavor.

The firm currently has an existing website that was developed some time ago, but they are ready to embrace a fresh brand identity. To start the project, I engaged in insightful conversations with the client, delving into their business vision and objectives. By understanding their goals and aspirations, I was able to expand on the concept of brand identity and develop comprehensive brand guidelines.

With a clear direction in mind, I embarked on the journey of transforming their website to reflect the newly established brand identity. My focus was not only on aesthetics but also on seamless user experiences and optimal functionality.

The process involved meticulous planning, creative exploration, and execution that captured the essence of the firm’s vision. By combining strategic design with cutting-edge web development techniques, I brought the brand guidelines to life on their new website.

The revamped website showcases the law firm’s unique personality, values, and areas of expertise, while also ensuring a user-friendly and visually captivating experience for visitors.

I take immense pride in delivering tailored solutions that align perfectly with the client’s objectives. It is a pleasure to see local businesses thrive and succeed in the digital landscape, and I am confident that the new website will contribute significantly to the firm’s growth.

Discovery the new opportunity

I mainly work with clients who are located in the North US. However, I tested whether I can work with a client who is located in Asia, a different time zone. I am sure that In China, and South Korea also has a similar marketplace, like UpWork/Fiverr, but there is a language barrier for me. Therefore, I used the marketplace which is provided the service in Japan.

Alleyoop is a software development company that included scrum/agile consultation. I did not know much about the industry and service, but agile philosophy and the scrum process are very useful for many industries. Through the brand discovery process, I felt the light mode is a standard and maybe safe impression for the client’s customer, but the client chose the dark mode. The client also informed preference, the AWS website. So, I simply respected that.

Web Design Process
・Define target audience, problem and goals
・Research (client, competitor and industry)
・Brand attributes
・Persona
・Move board
・Site map (AI: Information architecture/Figma)
・Wireframe (Figma)
・Prototype (Figma)
・Development (WordPress)

Overall, I did not feel the time-zone barrier.

Make design better than before

I got a small assignment for making a landing page. I observed the current website carefully. It follows brand guidelines and is graphic-oriented. I don’t clitic. I just try a different approach. OREN is a SaaS product and I implemented the standard of the SaaS landing page.

Points
– Show the products in hero section
– Qualification
– Numbers
– Benefit rather than feature
– Clear CTA and a couple of times
– FAQs for displaying understanding of the user’s pain point
etc

The landing page is evaluated based on customer acquisition. It is severe, but it is all about test and data analysis. I hope the customer can better understand OREN and is interested in the product.