Client: TradeWorks
Scope: UX/UI Design, Platform Design and Development
Launch: Soft launch, late Spring 2025
Collaboration: PowrIps (development partner)
Design Brief: TradeWorks – Job Platform for the Blue-Collar Workforce
Overview:
TradeWorks is a new job-finding platform built specifically for the blue-collar workforce. I designed and built the site from the ground up, working alongside the development team at PowrIps. The project grew out of a real gap I saw while working on the award-winning Franklin Report website—architects and interior designers were struggling to find skilled trade workers, and there wasn’t a streamlined way to connect the two.
When we designed TradeWorks, I wanted the experience to feel clear and approachable from the very first click. The home screen is split into two paths—one for job seekers and one for employers—so people know exactly where to start. From there, the profile setup begins with just the essentials: a user’s main trade and location. This step instantly helps match them with the right kinds of opportunities.
Once the basics are in place, I guide users into sharing their story—education, work history, and relevant experience—so employers can get a complete picture of their skills. To make each profile feel more personal, I built a page where users can upload a headshot and a background image. That visual element brings a human touch to the platform.
The finished profile layout is clean and easy to edit, with simple tools for adding extra skills, accolades, personal details, and even a video resume. I also included a “Dream Job” section, giving job seekers the chance to define exactly what they’re looking for—whether that’s a certain role, location, or work environment. The goal was to make TradeWorks not just a place to find work, but a place where people can represent themselves fully and connect with the opportunities that fit them best.
We also created a tool, code-named “Flipbook,” meant to facilitate the quick creation and deployment of leave-behind portfolios, either as a PDF, an online animated Flipbook, or to generate a ready-to-print file to print shops.