Work
Work
Work
Crumbs.
Crumbs.
Crumbs.
Led end-to-end design of a social-first crowdfunding platform that helps creators build engaged communities around their projects.
Led end-to-end design of a social-first crowdfunding platform that helps creators build engaged communities around their projects.
Led end-to-end design of a social-first crowdfunding platform that helps creators build engaged communities around their projects.
Crumbs is a pioneering platform that combines crowdfunding with social media to create a more engaging and transparent fundraising experience for creators and their supporters. It enables creators to share their journey, build authentic connections, and maintain momentum throughout their funding process, while giving supporters a more transparent and engaging way to be part of creative projects. Through iterative design and user feedback, we created a seamless experience that brings community building to crowdfunding.
Crumbs is a pioneering platform that combines crowdfunding with social media to create a more engaging and transparent fundraising experience for creators and their supporters. It enables creators to share their journey, build authentic connections, and maintain momentum throughout their funding process, while giving supporters a more transparent and engaging way to be part of creative projects. Through iterative design and user feedback, we created a seamless experience that brings community building to crowdfunding.
Crumbs is a pioneering platform that combines crowdfunding with social media to create a more engaging and transparent fundraising experience for creators and their supporters. It enables creators to share their journey, build authentic connections, and maintain momentum throughout their funding process, while giving supporters a more transparent and engaging way to be part of creative projects. Through iterative design and user feedback, we created a seamless experience that brings community building to crowdfunding.
Info
Info
Info
My role
My role
My role
UX Researcher
UX Designer
UI Designer
UX Researcher
UX Designer
UI Designer
UX Researcher
UX Designer
UI Designer
Team
Team
Team
1 Product Manager
2 Engineers
2 UX Designers
1 Product Manager
2 Engineers
2 UX Designers
1 Product Manager
2 Engineers
2 UX Designers
Duration
Duration
Duration
July - October 2024
July - October 2024
July - October 2024
Impact
Impact
Impact
Impact
Overview
Overview
Overview
Problem
Problem
Problem
Current crowdfunding platforms are transactional and lack real-time engagement, failing to capitalize on social media's power and build community. This leaves entrepreneurs struggling to share their stories and gain market validation.
Current crowdfunding platforms are transactional and lack real-time engagement, failing to capitalize on social media's power and build community. This leaves entrepreneurs struggling to share their stories and gain market validation.
Current crowdfunding platforms are transactional and lack real-time engagement, failing to capitalize on social media's power and build community. This leaves entrepreneurs struggling to share their stories and gain market validation.
Outcome
Outcome
Outcome
Crumbs created a social funding network that combines crowdfunding with social media. This platform empowers entrepreneurs to share real-time updates, connect with supporters, and build lasting relationships, fostering trust and transparency and offering users a more engaging and purposeful investment experience.
Crumbs created a social funding network that combines crowdfunding with social media. This platform empowers entrepreneurs to share real-time updates, connect with supporters, and build lasting relationships, fostering trust and transparency and offering users a more engaging and purposeful investment experience.
Crumbs created a social funding network that combines crowdfunding with social media. This platform empowers entrepreneurs to share real-time updates, connect with supporters, and build lasting relationships, fostering trust and transparency and offering users a more engaging and purposeful investment experience.
Community Building
Community Building
Community Building
Transform one-time backers into long-term community members through interactive features, direct messaging, and behind-the-scenes content that makes everyone feel part of the journey.
Transform one-time backers into long-term community members through interactive features, direct messaging, and behind-the-scenes content that makes everyone feel part of the journey.
Transform one-time backers into long-term community members through interactive features, direct messaging, and behind-the-scenes content that makes everyone feel part of the journey.
Real-Time Trust
Real-Time Trust
Real-Time Trust
Keep your supporters engaged and confident with instant updates, progress tracking, and transparent communication. Show your community the impact of their support as it happens.
Keep your supporters engaged and confident with instant updates, progress tracking, and transparent communication. Show your community the impact of their support as it happens.
Keep your supporters engaged and confident with instant updates, progress tracking, and transparent communication. Show your community the impact of their support as it happens.
Social-First Experience
Social-First Experience
Social-First Experience
Create seamless crowdfunding campaigns right where your audience already is. Share updates, engage with supporters, and collect funds without making your community switch platforms.
Create seamless crowdfunding campaigns right where your audience already is. Share updates, engage with supporters, and collect funds without making your community switch platforms.
Create seamless crowdfunding campaigns right where your audience already is. Share updates, engage with supporters, and collect funds without making your community switch platforms.
From Pain Points to Possibilities
From Pain Points to Possibilities
From Pain Points to Possibilities
The Future of Creator Economy
The Future of Creator Economy
The Future of Creator Economy
To validate the market opportunity and understand the potential impact, I analyzed key market indicators and emerging trends in the creator space.
To validate the market opportunity and understand the potential impact, I analyzed key market indicators and emerging trends in the creator space.
To validate the market opportunity and understand the potential impact, I analyzed key market indicators and emerging trends in the creator space.
$530B
$530B
$530B
Projected value of the creator economy by 2030
Projected value of the creator economy by 2030
Projected value of the creator economy by 2030
70%
Founder-led campaigns show high customer trust and loyalty
20%
U.S. population consists of Gen Z - our primary target audience
65%
U.S. Gen Z online users identify as content creators
70%
70%
Founder-led campaigns show high customer trust and loyalty
Founder-led campaigns show high customer trust and loyalty
20%
U.S. population consists of Gen Z - our primary target audience
65%
U.S. Gen Z online users identify as content creators
20%
U.S. population consists of Gen Z - our primary target audience
65%
U.S. Gen Z online users identify as content creators
Insights on Creators & Backers
Insights on Creators & Backers
Insights on Creators & Backers
I conducted 35 interviews (20 creators, 15 backers) to understand their needs and frustrations. Through synthesis, I identified the main challenges they face when using current crowdfunding platforms.
I conducted 35 interviews (20 creators, 15 backers) to understand their needs and frustrations. Through synthesis, I identified the main challenges they face when using current crowdfunding platforms.
I conducted 35 interviews (20 creators, 15 backers) to understand their needs and frustrations. Through synthesis, I identified the main challenges they face when using current crowdfunding platforms.
I found opportunities: creators and supporters weren't just asking for another crowdfunding platform—they were describing a new way of building communities around creative projects.
I found opportunities: creators and supporters weren't just asking for another crowdfunding platform—they were describing a new way of building communities around creative projects.
I found opportunities: creators and supporters weren't just asking for another crowdfunding platform—they were describing a new way of building communities around creative projects.
Trust Through Transparency:
Trust Through Transparency
Trust Through Transparency:
Regular updates and direct communication create lasting engagement
Regular updates and direct communication create lasting engagement
Regular updates and direct communication create lasting engagement
Social-First Experience:
Social-First Experience
Social-First Experience:
Both creators and backers naturally gravitate toward social media-style interactions
Both creators and backers naturally gravitate toward social media-style interactions
Both creators and backers naturally gravitate toward social media-style interactions
Community Building:
Community Building
Community Building:
Community-driven funding platform with authentic creator-backer relationships
Community-driven funding platform with authentic creator-backer relationships
Community-driven funding platform with authentic creator-backer relationships
All-in-one Platform
All-in-one Platform
All-in-one Platform
All-in-one platform for creation, community, and crowdfunding
All-in-one platform for creation, community, and crowdfunding
All-in-one platform for creation, community, and crowdfunding
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
With these insights in hand, I analyzed the current crowdfunding landscape to identify where existing platforms fall short.
With these insights in hand, I analyzed the current crowdfunding landscape to identify where existing platforms fall short.
With these insights in hand, I analyzed the current crowdfunding landscape to identify where existing platforms fall short.
From Research to Solution
From Research to Solution
From Research to Solution
Existing platforms are missing what today's creators and their communities really need: a social, engaging way to bring projects to life.
Existing platforms are missing what today's creators and their communities really need: a social, engaging way to bring projects to life.
Existing platforms are missing what today's creators and their communities really need: a social, engaging way to bring projects to life.
Who Am I Designing For
Who Am I Designing For
Who Am I Designing For
Understanding a platform that connects creators and supporters required deep insights into both perspectives. I developed two personas that capture the unique needs, motivations, and pain points of each group.
Understanding a platform that connects creators and supporters required deep insights into both perspectives. I developed two personas that capture the unique needs, motivations, and pain points of each group.
Understanding a platform that connects creators and supporters required deep insights into both perspectives. I developed two personas that capture the unique needs, motivations, and pain points of each group.
Bringing the experience to life
Bringing the experience to life
Bringing the experience to life
Mid-fidelity Wireframes
Mid-fidelity Wireframes
Mid-fidelity Wireframes
To demonstrate the core functionality of Crumbs, I focused on key user flows that showcase how creators and supporters interact with the platform. These wireframes illustrate the primary journeys users take when engaging with the platform.
To demonstrate the core functionality of Crumbs, I focused on key user flows that showcase how creators and supporters interact with the platform. These wireframes illustrate the primary journeys users take when engaging with the platform.
To demonstrate the core functionality of Crumbs, I focused on key user flows that showcase how creators and supporters interact with the platform. These wireframes illustrate the primary journeys users take when engaging with the platform.
I'll be focusing on the following flows:
I'll be focusing on the following flows:
I'll be focusing on the following flows:
• Creating posts and campaigns
• Creating posts and campaigns
• Creating posts and campaigns
• Accessing user profiles
• Accessing user profiles
• Accessing user profiles
• Direct messaging between users
• Direct messaging between users
• Direct messaging between users
• Pledging to projects
• Pledging to projects
• Pledging to projects
Validating Through Two-Sided Testing
Validating Through Two-Sided Testing
Validating Through Two-Sided Testing
Understanding a platform that connects creators with supporters required testing from both perspectives. I conducted 3 rounds of testing with 25 participants, splitting between creators (15) and supporters (10) to capture their unique needs. This two-sided approach revealed crucial insights about how these groups interact, leading to design decisions that serve both audiences effectively.
Understanding a platform that connects creators with supporters required testing from both perspectives. I conducted 3 rounds of testing with 25 participants, splitting between creators (15) and supporters (10) to capture their unique needs. This two-sided approach revealed crucial insights about how these groups interact, leading to design decisions that serve both audiences effectively.
Understanding a platform that connects creators with supporters required testing from both perspectives. I conducted 3 rounds of testing with 25 participants, splitting between creators (15) and supporters (10) to capture their unique needs. This two-sided approach revealed crucial insights about how these groups interact, leading to design decisions that serve both audiences effectively.
Testing Scope
Testing Scope
Testing Scope
Three critical flows were tested:
Three critical flows were tested:
Three critical flows were tested:
• Profile interface and presentation
• Profile interface and presentation
• Profile interface and presentation
• Social feed navigation and discovery
• Social feed navigation and discovery
• Social feed navigation and discovery
• Post creation and campaign updates
• Post creation and campaign updates
• Post creation and campaign updates
Key improvements:
Key improvements:
• Higher user engagement with content
• Higher user engagement with content
• More intuitive navigation
• More intuitive navigation
• Streamlined content creation
• Streamlined content creation
Key improvements:
• Higher user engagement with content
• More intuitive navigation
• Streamlined content creation
Home screen/Social feed
Home screen/Social feed
Home screen/Social feed
Users can discover and support projects through a social media-style feed, combining casual content browsing with crowdfunding opportunities.
Users can discover and support projects through a social media-style feed, combining casual content browsing with crowdfunding opportunities.
Users can discover and support projects through a social media-style feed, combining casual content browsing with crowdfunding opportunities.
Key Findings:
Key Findings:
Key Findings:
• Difficulty distinguishing between discovery and following content
• Confusion about funding progress and campaign status
• Difficulty distinguishing between discovery and following content
• Confusion about funding progress and campaign status
• Difficulty distinguishing between discovery and following content
• Confusion about funding progress and campaign status
User Profile
User Profile
User Profile
On Crumbs, every profile is designed to be versatile - supporting users who want to back projects today and might create their own tomorrow. To validate this flexible approach, I tested how users interact with profiles from dual perspectives: managing their personal space and engaging with other users' content and campaigns.
On Crumbs, every profile is designed to be versatile - supporting users who want to back projects today and might create their own tomorrow. To validate this flexible approach, I tested how users interact with profiles from dual perspectives: managing their personal space and engaging with other users' content and campaigns.
On Crumbs, every profile is designed to be versatile - supporting users who want to back projects today and might create their own tomorrow. To validate this flexible approach, I tested how users interact with profiles from dual perspectives: managing their personal space and engaging with other users' content and campaigns.
Three crucial insights shaped the final design:
Three crucial insights shaped the final design:
Three crucial insights shaped the final design:
• Users felt uncertain about how to begin their journey
• Critical need for creators to share their journey beyond just campaigns
• Users needed different experiences when viewing their own profile VS others’
• Users felt uncertain about how to begin their journey
• Critical need for creators to share their journey beyond just campaigns
• Users needed different experiences when viewing their own profile VS others’
• Users felt uncertain about how to begin their journey
• Critical need for creators to share their journey beyond just campaigns
• Users needed different experiences when viewing their own profile VS others’
Posts Creation
Posts Creation
Posts Creation
The post creation system is essential for creators to maintain engagement with their supporters and showcase campaign progress. Through user testing, I observed key pain points in the creation process.
The post creation system is essential for creators to maintain engagement with their supporters and showcase campaign progress. Through user testing, I observed key pain points in the creation process.
The post creation system is essential for creators to maintain engagement with their supporters and showcase campaign progress. Through user testing, I observed key pain points in the creation process.
When testing the initial design, creators struggled with two key issues:
When testing the initial design, creators struggled with two key issues:
When testing the initial design, creators struggled with two key issues:
• They had difficulty connecting posts to their specific campaigns, often unsure which campaign their update would be linked to until after posting
• They had difficulty connecting posts to their specific campaigns, often unsure which campaign their update would be linked to until after posting
• They had difficulty connecting posts to their specific campaigns, often unsure which campaign their update would be linked to until after posting
• Users struggled to differentiate between campaign and post creation because both used identical plus icons.
• Users struggled to differentiate between campaign and post creation because both used identical plus icons.
• Users struggled to differentiate between campaign and post creation because both used identical plus icons.
Hi-fidelity Wireframes
Hi-fidelity Wireframes
Dive into the experience
Dive into the experience
Dive into the experience
Crumbs.
Crumbs.
Crumbs.
A Social-First Crowdfunding Platform Built for Today's Creators
A Social-First Crowdfunding Platform Built for Today's Creators
A Social-First Crowdfunding Platform Built for Today's Creators
Create, engage, and fund all in one seamless experience. Crumbs helps creators build thriving communities around their projects without losing momentum switching between platforms. Launch your campaign and start connecting with supporters in minutes.
Create, engage, and fund all in one seamless experience. Crumbs helps creators build thriving communities around their projects without losing momentum switching between platforms. Launch your campaign and start connecting with supporters in minutes.
Create, engage, and fund all in one seamless experience. Crumbs helps creators build thriving communities around their projects without losing momentum switching between platforms. Launch your campaign and start connecting with supporters in minutes.
Craft Your Creator Story & tell your ‘why’
Craft Your Creator Story & tell your ‘why’
Craft Your Creator Story & tell your ‘why’
Through engaging prompts, Dave can share his journey from discovering harmful chemicals in everyday products to developing his eco-friendly alternatives. Whether he's launching his first sustainable product line or supporting innovative ideas, his story matters. Crumbs will help Dave craft a compelling narrative that resonates with conscious supporters like Sara.
Through engaging prompts, Dave can share his journey from discovering harmful chemicals in everyday products to developing his eco-friendly alternatives. Whether he's launching his first sustainable product line or supporting innovative ideas, his story matters. Crumbs will help Dave craft a compelling narrative that resonates with conscious supporters like Sara.
Through engaging prompts, Dave can share his journey from discovering harmful chemicals in everyday products to developing his eco-friendly alternatives. Whether he's launching his first sustainable product line or supporting innovative ideas, his story matters. Crumbs will help Dave craft a compelling narrative that resonates with conscious supporters like Sara.
Create a Campaign That Connects
Create a Campaign That Connects
Create a Campaign That Connects
For creators like Dave, launching a new sustainable product line shouldn't feel like paperwork. On Crumbs, we've transformed campaign creation into a storytelling journey. From sharing his vision to setting up reward tiers for his products, Dave can build excitement and trust with potential supporters like Sara, who's passionate about discovering and funding sustainable innovations.
For creators like Dave, launching a new sustainable product line shouldn't feel like paperwork. On Crumbs, we've transformed campaign creation into a storytelling journey. From sharing his vision to setting up reward tiers for his products, Dave can build excitement and trust with potential supporters like Sara, who's passionate about discovering and funding sustainable innovations.
For creators like Dave, launching a new sustainable product line shouldn't feel like paperwork. On Crumbs, we've transformed campaign creation into a storytelling journey. From sharing his vision to setting up reward tiers for his products, Dave can build excitement and trust with potential supporters like Sara, who's passionate about discovering and funding sustainable innovations.
Show Your Progress
Show Your Progress
Show Your Progress
For Dave, sharing his sustainable product development journey is crucial. Through quick updates about his latest eco-friendly formulations and zero-waste packaging designs, he keeps environmentally conscious supporters like Sara engaged and excited about his progress.
For Dave, sharing his sustainable product development journey is crucial. Through quick updates about his latest eco-friendly formulations and zero-waste packaging designs, he keeps environmentally conscious supporters like Sara engaged and excited about his progress.
For Dave, sharing his sustainable product development journey is crucial. Through quick updates about his latest eco-friendly formulations and zero-waste packaging designs, he keeps environmentally conscious supporters like Sara engaged and excited about his progress.
Back What Moves You
Back What Moves You
Back What Moves You
For sustainability enthusiasts like Sara, finding and supporting eco-friendly innovations shouldn't feel like a mere transaction. We've transformed it into an engaging journey where she can discover creators like Dave, explore his sustainable product line, and support projects that align with her values—all within her social feed.
For sustainability enthusiasts like Sara, finding and supporting eco-friendly innovations shouldn't feel like a mere transaction. We've transformed it into an engaging journey where she can discover creators like Dave, explore his sustainable product line, and support projects that align with her values—all within her social feed.
For sustainability enthusiasts like Sara, finding and supporting eco-friendly innovations shouldn't feel like a mere transaction. We've transformed it into an engaging journey where she can discover creators like Dave, explore his sustainable product line, and support projects that align with her values—all within her social feed.
Connect in Real Time
Connect in Real Time
Connect in Real Time
When Sara discovers Dave's zero-waste skincare line, questions about ingredients or packaging shouldn't go unanswered. Through quick comments or direct messages, she can connect directly with Dave to learn more about his sustainable practices and production methods. Every conversation builds a stronger community of environmentally conscious creators and supporters.
When Sara discovers Dave's zero-waste skincare line, questions about ingredients or packaging shouldn't go unanswered. Through quick comments or direct messages, she can connect directly with Dave to learn more about his sustainable practices and production methods. Every conversation builds a stronger community of environmentally conscious creators and supporters.
When Sara discovers Dave's zero-waste skincare line, questions about ingredients or packaging shouldn't go unanswered. Through quick comments or direct messages, she can connect directly with Dave to learn more about his sustainable practices and production methods. Every conversation builds a stronger community of environmentally conscious creators and supporters.
Impact and learnings
Impact and learnings
Impact and learnings
What difference did I make?
What difference did I make?
What difference did I make?
Through iterative design and user feedback, I created a platform that bridges the gap between social media and crowdfunding. The impact is already showing in our early metrics and user response.
Through iterative design and user feedback, I created a platform that bridges the gap between social media and crowdfunding. The impact is already showing in our early metrics and user response.
Through iterative design and user feedback, I created a platform that bridges the gap between social media and crowdfunding. The impact is already showing in our early metrics and user response.
Reflecting on the project outcomes
Reflecting on the project outcomes
Reflecting on the project outcomes
Designing Crumbs was an enlightening journey that deepened my understanding of social-driven platforms and user-centered design. Here are the key insights that will shape my future work:
Designing Crumbs was an enlightening journey that deepened my understanding of social-driven platforms and user-centered design. Here are the key insights that will shape my future work:
Designing Crumbs was an enlightening journey that deepened my understanding of social-driven platforms and user-centered design. Here are the key insights that will shape my future work:
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