Responsive website
Role: UX/UI designer
Duration: 12 weeks
Tools: Figma, Miro, Illustrator, Photoshop
While self-employment is on the rise in Spain, the experience remains fragmented and overwhelming. Freelancers juggle complex legal terms, tax deadlines, and financial responsibilities, often alone and without clear guidance. What’s missing is a sense of structure, support, and simplicity. The challenge was to design a platform that transforms this bureaucratic burden into a clear, empowering journey backed by practical tools and real expert help.
Overview
Freelancing in Spain has grown steadily, with over 3.2 million self-employed professionals today, many in tech, marketing, and creative industries. However, navigating the system remains complex. Freelancers face high social security contributions, frequent tax filings, and must manage invoices, VAT, and income tax without clear guidance.
Many rely on accountants, which can be costly, while others feel overwhelmed by administrative tasks. In fact, the average freelancer spends several hours per week just managing bureaucracy, leading to stress and lost productivity.
Background
Turning a complex, bureaucratic process into an empowering digital experience where freelancers feel guided, supported, and in control — a space that simplifies self-employment, encourages autonomy, and helps professionals focus on what they do best, with clarity and confidence every step of the way.
The challenge
The solution
Freelance Flow is a responsive web tool designed to support freelancers in Spain through the process of becoming self-employed. With a step-by-step onboarding experience, the platform simplifies complex legal and financial concepts into clear, approachable language. Users gain access to practical tools like templates, checklists, and curated guides to help manage registration, taxes, and recurring tasks with confidence. Built for clarity and ease of use, Freelance Flow empowers freelancers to work independently—while offering access to trusted professionals when extra support is needed.
Discover
To gain deeper insight into the freelance experience in Spain, I carried out qualitative research that combined:
A competitor analysis of platforms offering freelance support, financial tools, and tax services.
5 one-on-one interviews with freelancers aged 25 to 62, from different areas and fields
These conversations uncovered shared struggles with registration, tax filing, and staying organized, especially for those just starting out. Many expressed frustration with the complexity of the system and a desire for clearer guidance, smarter tools, and occasional expert help without the high costs.
Research process
01. Freelancing is overwhelming
Administrative tasks are confusing and stressful, especially for beginners.
02. Accountants are essential
Freelancers rely on pros but want to understand and manage things themselves.
03. Info Is scattered and Unclear
In Spain, there is no central, trustworthy source creates confusion and doubt.
04. Guidance over complexity
Freelancers are actively looking for intuitive, digital solutions that simplify admin tasks.
05. Trust and community boost confidence
Feeling supported is essential. Social networks, gestores, friends, and peer communities provide both emotional and practical guidance.
To address the main challenges freelancers face when starting out (lack of clarity, confidence, and community), I decided to include and focus on the following key features in the app. Each one is designed to help users navigate admin tasks, access expert guidance, and connect with fellow freelancers.
Core app features
01. Checklist
Customizable to-dos and tax deadlines
02. Gestor directory
Searchable list to find and connect with gestores
03. Step by step guides
Clear instructions for common freelancer tasks
04. FAQs and help section:
Access to resources and support
Feature set
01. MUST HAVES
Secure login: protected and easy-to-use user access
Step-by-step guides: clear instructions for common freelancer tasks
Checklist and reminders: customizable to-dos and tax deadlines
Collaborative workspace: shared access for freelancers and gestores to track tasks and documents
Gestor directory: searchable list to find and connect with gestores
Notifications: alerts for deadlines, gestor messages, and updates
Document upload: secure area to upload invoices, contracts, and files
FAQs and help section: quick access to answers and support
Live chat with gestor: real-time messaging with associated gestor
02. NICE TO HAVE
Interactive calendar: shows important deadlines and tasks
Tax calculator: calculates tax obligations based on income
Discussion forum: freelancers and gestores discuss, share tips, and collaborate
Gestor reviews and ratings: freelancers can rate gestores they work with
User personas
Research revealed three freelancer profiles with different goals and habits, but all emphasized the need for trust, access to expert help when needed, and centralized information. These insights shaped the creation of the personas.
Persona 1. Young freelancer starting out, keen to do things right without wasting time or money on complex bureaucracy and without a gestor.
Persona 2. Young professional seeking independence in managing freelance status and taxes, but open to support from an advisor when needed.
Persona 3. Middle-aged woman looking for the support of a professional “gestor” to feel confident and in control, with clear and consistent communication.
I organized the website’s content and navigation around five main sections: Home, Register as Freelancer, Find a Gestor, Resources, and Profile. This structure ensures a clear, intuitive experience that helps users easily access the tools and information they need.
Information architecture
Main user flows
Users land on the homepage, locate the option to sign up as a freelancer, and begin the registration process. They review an overview of the required steps and explore any checklists or guides that help them understand how to complete their registration.
User flow 1: Start freelancing registration
Users navigate to the learning section to search for relevant content about freelancing. They browse or use filters to find resources like videos or articles (e.g., how to become autónomo), view the content, and save it for later reference.
User flow 2: Explore learning resources
Users access the “Find a gestor” section, browse professional profiles, and choose one with relevant expertise and good reviews. They open the profile, review details about the services offered, and initiate a live chat for advice or support.
User flow 3: Find and contact a gestor
Logged-in users explore their personal dashboard to manage their freelance tasks. They check progress through checklists, view shared documents and deadlines, and use the chat function to stay in touch with their gestor or team.
User flow 4: Use the dashboard
Design & develop
Visual design & brand identity
I chose a vibrant orange as the primary color to give the app an approachable and modern feel, while maintaining a serious tone to convey trust and professionalism. The rest of the color palette consists of neutral tones that balance the vibrancy and keep the overall design clean and focused.
For typography, I selected Bricolage Grotesque, a simple yet slightly distinctive font as the primary typeface to add some character without sacrificing clarity. As a secondary font, I used Roboto, known for its excellent legibility across devices, which is crucial for conveying complex information clearly.
For the logo, I opted for a clean design using the app’s name in a basic font, but I added a unique touch to the letter “w” to make it memorable and distinctive.
Additionally, I opted for rounded buttons to soften the interface, making interactions feel friendly and inviting, which supports user confidence and ease of use throughout the platform.
Prototyiping, testing and iterations
To evaluate the usability of the Freelance Flow responsive website, I conducted a moderated usability test with five participants aged 20 to 57, with diverse backgrounds and experience levels regarding freelancing. Each participant was asked to complete four core tasks within the mobile and desktop prototype:
Start the freelancer registration process
Search and use freelancing resources
Find and contact a gestor
Explore and navigate their personal dashboard
Following usability testing, I identified several opportunities to improve the user experience and improve the overall functionality of the app. Based on user feedback, I implemented essential changes:
The most impactful updates included:
Added a fixed footer for quicker access to key sections on mobile.
Updated the “Maybe Later” button to keep users on the homepage instead of restarting onboarding.
Included info icons (“i”) next to complex terms to offer quick definitions and reduce confusion.
Improved back button visibility and placement for smoother navigation.
Updated checklist behavior to open by dragging, offering a more intuitive interaction.
Enhanced desktop menu feedback by highlighting the selected section in a distinct color.
Enabled Save options across all resources and documents for easier reference and continuity.
Key findings & design improvements
Mobile version
01/ Maybe latter button
Updated the “Maybe Later” button to keep users on the homepage instead of restarting onboarding.
02/ Checklist animation
Updated checklist behavior to open by dragging, offering a more intuitive interaction.
03/ Info icons
Included info icons (“i”) next to complex terms to offer quick definitions and reduce confusion.
The starting point for this project was understanding how overwhelming bureaucracy can be for freelancers in Spain. Many feel lost navigating complex tax and legal requirements without clear guidance or support. My research revealed that freelancers needed more than just tools—they needed a sense of control and confidence in managing their business independently.
Freelance Flow was designed as a straightforward, empathetic platform that breaks down barriers and guides users step-by-step through self-employment processes. This project reinforced how critical simplicity and trust are in UX design, especially when dealing with stressful, unfamiliar topics. The challenge was balancing thoroughness with usability, ensuring freelancers felt empowered rather than overwhelmed.
Reflection
Looking ahead, there’s a wealth of opportunities to enhance Freelance Flow’s value. Integrating an interactive calendar to track key deadlines would keep freelancers proactive and organized. A tax calculator could demystify financial obligations by providing instant, personalized estimates.
To build community and knowledge-sharing, a discussion forum where freelancers and gestores exchange tips would be invaluable. Plus, a rating system for gestores would help users find reliable professional support. These additions would not only simplify daily tasks but also foster connection and confidence across the freelance ecosystem.