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Ask DN: A better freelancing platform for Designers

almost 7 years ago from , Olokuta

I noticed what Gigster did for freelance developers and it inspired me to try and solve the same problem for designers.

The process of getting freelance work on the popular job boards is just unnecessarily difficult and my goal with Olokuta is to try and remove some of the pain points I have Identified.

Here is how it currently works for designers:

  • Having to negotiate pricing with your client and iron out the details of the project should be done for you, so when you login, you only see clear well defined project briefs.

  • The bidding process is an unnecessary waste of time. By vetting the designers beforehand, every designer on the platform is at a certain level of quality. So there is no need to bid. See a job you like, click accept and its yours to start immediately.

Is there anything I'm missing? For example, rather than taking projects, would you rather just set a daily/hourly rate and be hired for that block of time?

We are currently at a very early stage and this platform will become anything you guys want it to be.

We are trying to make Olokuta the easiest way for designers to get high quality design work and ultimately, you are the only ones that know what such a platform will look like.

So what is the biggest problem you have with the current freelance platforms? and what would a better one look like for you?

Thank you.

11 comments

  • Jeremy CaiJeremy Cai, almost 7 years ago (edited almost 7 years ago )

    Gigster (and Crew) also offers work for designers, among other job functions.

    3 points
    • Dominic SebastianDominic Sebastian, almost 7 years ago

      I signed up for Crew in January and am still on their waiting list - are you actually using Crew?

      0 points
      • Nakkeeran Raveendran, almost 7 years ago

        Hi Dominic, I signed up for Crew last year and have not heard a word from them yet. I won't be surprised if their supply of designers is greater than the works they receive but it would be good for them to update designers who have not yet been accepted into the platform.

        0 points
  • Sacha GreifSacha Greif, almost 7 years ago

    You probably know this already but there are a ton of services around that already directly address this problem. Obviously there's always room for improvement with anything, but I would encourage you to really make sure it's worth your time to try and address that problem yet again.

    2 points
  • Paul MacgregorPaul Macgregor, almost 7 years ago

    I would echo Sacha's comments below, there are a lot of marketplaces already, many of which are curated (including http://onsite.io which I run).

    Two problems I can envision for you:

    Attracting users to yet another platform - especially as the top talent often have options already (word of mouth / existing marketplaces / existing personal networks).

    Persuading clients that you should be trusted to assign them that talent. Have you asked them if that is something they want? Curated shortlists maybe, but just assigning a designer, without a portfolio review, chat about timings, understanding of the job feels unrealistic.

    The final point I would make - $450 for a logo will indeed attract a "certain level of quality" - but probably not the one you had in mind.

    1 point
  • Advan Shumiski, almost 7 years ago

    Yeah. I've been working as a designer at Gigster and the whole process is pretty smooth. The main difference from your idea is that on Gigster the project manager chooses the projects and distribute it to the designers/developers.

    1 point
  • Account deleted almost 7 years ago

    Design Inc is the first one that looks intriguing to me, but to be honest looking at the comments, there are a lot I've never looked into.

    I get my freelance work through my network, but have always been tempted to cast a wider net for the hell of it (you can always say no).

    There was a freelance job site that I was really pushed to sign up for by a friend a couple years ago. They are based in Australia. My issues with the site was the same typical complaints of crowdsourcing and stuff. Primarily, the biggest turn off being the low payout.

    In the end with these things, I feel the look and feel of the platform is the least important thing. Nothing is more important than the type of jobs being posted and the types of companies/businesses posting them.

    To make that work though, I feel you need to then be selective of whom can be a member. A company wants to make sure that if they have a solid gig - there are solid prospects. A designer wants to know if they sign up for a service, the opportunities will be legit.

    0 points
  • Ken Em, almost 7 years ago

    Is there a way to keep track of the progress on this service or be notified when it's available?

    0 points