A broad product scope, a tight timeline
Noumena brings client work, collaboration, and payments into one platform for freelancers. The scope covered everything from profiles and video meetings to contracts and invoices.
An ongoing funding round put pressure on the schedule. We needed to define the MVP while working through requirements and designing for both web and mobile.
Designing the first version
I worked with the product and design team on the MVP for responsive web and a React Native mobile app. We built the designs from scratch, with a shared component library and design tokens supporting both platforms.
Defining the MVP
We ran workshops with the business team to define requirements and agree on the MVP scope. Alongside those discussions, we reviewed the proposed flows with developers to understand what was feasible within the timeline.
A shared design system
The product needed a common set of components across web and mobile, with room for users to customise their own spaces. We reviewed existing design systems, then defined the structure of our library around those needs.
We also walked developers through the components and agreed on how to manage versions as the library changed.
We defined colour and spacing tokens and exported them as JSON. Figma variables were not available at the time, so we kept token management outside Figma's native features. We decided against relying on a third-party plugin because of concerns about maintaining it throughout the project.
Keeping the Figma files manageable
..and felt (almost) like Figma's QA testers 😎.
As the library grew, we ran into memory and component-sync issues. We worked with Figma support to resolve bugs and reorganise the files, reducing memory use and avoiding some of the problems affecting components and prototypes.
Spaces freelancers could make their own
Noums are editable pages where freelancers can present their work, collaborate with clients, or run a paid community. Users could add tools and content, change layouts, and choose a theme.
The design system supported these variations through shared components and tokens. A dashboard brought together visits, connections, and event activity.
Contracts, invoices, and payments
We designed flows for creating contracts, sending invoices, and receiving payments. Freelancers could invoice clients inside or outside Noumena and use contract templates prepared by legal experts.
Adapting the product for mobile
The scope also included a React Native app for iOS and Android. We adapted the web features for smaller screens, including messaging, video calls, and payments, while working within the constraints of each platform.
Contributors
Jarosław Maćków — Team Lead
Bartosz Maryniaczyk — Product Designer
Dawid Maroszek — Product Designer
Paweł Gryglak — UI/UX Designer
Dominika Pawlak — UI/UX Designer
Klara Siewierska — Graphic Designer