# Upwork Upwork is the largest freelance marketplace in the world. They came to us with a simple problem. They wanted to help employers find their best match in less time. So they asked us to redesign their mobile flow from the ground up. ## expertise: Products ## deliverables: Product strategy,Research & testing,Web development,Platform & app design,UX/UI design,Web design ## Reinventing how we browse on mobile ### The key insight What we found was something we called "the paradox of time". Employers want highly relevant search results, but they don't want to take time to give us the information necessary to get them. ### The bold strategy From the start, we set a high bar for our team. The goal was to make sure employers who came to Upwork could hire the best person they've ever worked with in less than 10 minutes. To achieve that, we came up with a guiding principle of ongoing collaboration. ![Illustrated hand holding a phone showing the Upwork homepage with a freelancer search bar.](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F15e314c30593570bd07db50bdf51bfb95c66acbd-1328x1328.jpg%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=1328&h=1328&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) ![Illustration of a person with long hair resting their head on their hand while using a laptop against a green background.](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F9b23a712ed6fa5c9d362da07ae6017203321066c-664x664.jpg%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=664&h=664&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) ![Split image of two people in different settings using their phones, with green chat bubbles between them indicating messaging.](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F7b3d58dff529d0da3651aec8155aed0a668ba72b-2720x1200.jpg%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=2720&h=1200&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) ## Give a little, take a little When employers came to the site to search for candidates, we showed a few results and then in context, asked for more information... and on and on. That way, employers could drill just as far down as they needed until they got to the best people for the job, without wasting one second more. ![Three mobile screens showing a search and filtering flow for hiring freelancers, including entering a query, selecting categories, and choosing skills.](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F43d3b52a480236131460737bca3e498621f4ddf0-2720x1216.png%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=2720&h=1216&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) ## Interview If the freelancer is online, employers can jump straight to interviewing them, right then and there. But sometimes it’s difficult to know the right questions to ask in order to truly assess the quality of the candidate. We designed the platform to offer smart interview questions to ask, based on the type of candidate we knew they were looking for. ![Mobile screens showing selecting saved freelancers, viewing a profile, and starting a chat with a chosen candidate.](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F11654d791fe7b5313bdb3f4b30adbad71867cff5-1328x2764.jpg%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=1328&h=2764&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) ## Contract co-creation Our research also showed that a lot of employers don't know exactly what they want or how to create a contract. So we came up with an innovative platform for co-creating contracts. Employers can fill out a few items and pass the contract on to candidates—who in real time, can suggest edits. This radically sped up the time to closing deals—and getting to work. ![Illustration of a person with glasses surrounded by multiple speech bubbles, suggesting conversation or messaging.](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F33e8398f4dfb7a764aeca865acbf89b4c89bfed6-1328x1328.jpg%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=1328&h=1328&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) ![Mobile screen showing a chat conversation about a WordPress developer job between a client and freelancer.](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F833af6ffb17901238517d6507f73b6b20c444977-1328x1328.jpg%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=1328&h=1328&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) ## Want to see more work? [Branding](#branding-1-panel)[Marketing](#marketing-1-panel)[Products](#products-1-panel)[AI Solutions](#ai-solutions-1-panel) ![Nurse in scrubs that say On Lok on the left side chest ](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F1e4679cfe0418ceeb4edf388fca5d7e86c9bde43-2120x2120.png%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [On Lok](/work/on-lok) Inspiring seniors to embrace life - Brand Strategy - Visual identity ![Work boot displayed on a widescreen monitor with labeled feature callouts](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F5a6d9be338bf6908628df3b9d7f5e4fa5c7c3467-1060x1060.jpg%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [Ariat](/work/ariat) Bringing new energy to an iconic work brand - Web design - UX/UI design ![Hand holding a phone showing a job interview scheduling app with selectable time slots, against a blue-purple gradient background. ](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F4ee3d09905a26a5c8110d2a6ea24deef7f253448-1060x1060.jpg%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [Monster](/work/monster) Helping people quickly find jobs they love - Product strategy - UX/UI design ![A pair of hands holds up an iPad with the Good Chat interface visible on the screen](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2Fc8f93736a7df0c916d1e10de0878a2d288b4e02e-1060x1060.jpg%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [Goodchat](/work/goodchat) Designing a simple way to bridge a divided nation - UX/UI design - Web design ![Laptop showing an Axiom lawyer profile with testimonial quote, ratings, and industry experience summaries.](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F765c0f04330cc7602f3369345555081ff675e488-1060x1060.jpg%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [Axiom](/work/axiom) Defining a product vision based on proactivity - Web design - Product strategy ![Nurse in scrubs that say On Lok on the left side chest ](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F1e4679cfe0418ceeb4edf388fca5d7e86c9bde43-2120x2120.png%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [On Lok](/work/on-lok) Inspiring seniors to embrace life - Brand Strategy - Visual identity ![Hand touching a yellow fabric with a bead of water on it](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F2bc278ce57b2fe39ecbdf722d946523a4545816d-2720x1200.png%3Frect%3D760%2C0%2C1200%2C1200%26w%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [Weev](/work/weev) Digitizing the footwear creation process - Web design - Product strategy ![Smartphone displaying an AVEVA social media ad about building a digital twin, with additional ad variations shown in the background.](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F2206e1fe74f31b8a21c04cb6cfcf781f64d57c0c-1060x1060.jpg%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [AVEVA](/work/aveva) Lead with trust, not just tech - Web design - Ad creative ![Laptop showing an Axiom lawyer profile with testimonial quote, ratings, and industry experience summaries.](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F765c0f04330cc7602f3369345555081ff675e488-1060x1060.jpg%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [Axiom](/work/axiom) Defining a product vision based on proactivity - Web design - Product strategy ![Hand touching a yellow fabric with a bead of water on it](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F2bc278ce57b2fe39ecbdf722d946523a4545816d-2720x1200.png%3Frect%3D760%2C0%2C1200%2C1200%26w%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [Weev](/work/weev) Digitizing the footwear creation process - Web design - Product strategy ![LifePlus smart watch on someone's wrist, being held up to check their glucose levels](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2Fc7c94a06641a0e80e67914b9538a43ec6890e83a-872x872.webp%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [LifePlus](/work/lifeplus) Transforming the way diabetics manage health - AI product design - Wearables ![Rendering of a sleek racecar with the Autodesk logo on its fender](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F62bbaabb6503bc063c6ca1cffd854939ca10db37-864x864.webp%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [Autodesk Fusion 360](/work/autodesk-fusion-360) Galvanizing a revolution in manufacturing - UX/UI design - Video & motion design ![Cropped corner of a laptop screen with the LocaliQ dashboard open](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F50806ab03b691e5b43fb67b0e6a8a64f7c29b771-1496x1496.webp%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [Gannett/LocaliQ Design](/work/local-iq-ai-design) Designing AI that’s powerful—and personable. - AI product design - Branding ![Various shapes with faces — a rectangle, curve, circle, and triangle — stacked on top of eachother, with sparkles](/.netlify/images?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fabes57fd%2Fproduction%2F261ca10e508f8bdf6abe7b1dab70ee5efbb56b4f-1200x1200.webp%3Fw%3D1060%26h%3D1060%26auto%3Dformat&w=1060&h=1060&fit=cover&dpl=6a8f19fed41f940007e46b12) [Magic Tale](/work/magic-tale) Building an AI platform to boost literacy - AI product design - AI development ## Say hello, we love meeting new people. Big idea, small question, or something in between—we’re always up for a good chat about design, technology, and what’s next.