Propellers — Katie Kim

Your Freelance Network, Always in Your Pocket

UX/UI Design | Adobe XD

Propellers is a mobile application that leverages an exponential growth of social networks to provide the most efficient and effective job-finding experience for freelancers.

Freelancing is no longer a niche; it is a growing segment of the workforce. By 2020, 45 percent of Canadians were projected to be self-employed (McConnell, 2017), with similar trends in the United States, where 50 percent of the workforce was expected to be freelance (National Post, 2016). This shift reflects a broader change in how people view work, especially among millennials. As traditional income sources become less fulfilling or reliable, freelancing offers flexibility and opportunity. According to 100k Freelancing (2017), millennials are expected to dominate the freelance space as companies become increasingly open to hiring independent talent.

In this evolving landscape, trust and relationships play a central role. Hendricks (2015) emphasizes that a strong relationship between freelancer and client is key to long-term success. When freelancers consistently deliver quality work, they build credibility, which leads to repeat business and referrals. Cultivating trust, professionalism, and clear communication is essential to stand out in the growing freelance economy.

01. Insights

02. Goals

Propellers aims to achieve two main goals: fostering a community of freelancers and strengthening the relationships between them. Within this network, freelancers can collaborate on projects, share their work, and offer mentorship. As these connections grow, the community becomes a reliable source of support whenever challenges arise.

03. Target Audiences + Stakeholders

Propellers primarily targets emerging freelancers who are just starting their careers. Based on the research outlined above, the number of freelancers is expected to grow significantly in the near future, and many of them will be actively seeking freelance opportunities.

This app isn’t limited to freelancers alone — clients seeking to connect with skilled professionals can also be part of Propellers. These aren’t separate groups, but rather freelancers and clients coexisting within the same community. For clients, Propellers offers a direct way to find and engage with trusted talent through an active, connected network.

04. Features

Propellers is a messaging app with an integrated job search feature. In addition to communication, it offers key tools that support freelance work, such as profile sharing, simplified contract and invoice sending, in-app payments, and the ability to withdraw funds earned through referral savings.

Beyond freelancers and clients, we engage users who are drawn to our referral-based earning opportunities. While some may be motivated by easy earnings, referrals also tend to occur naturally when strong professional connections are formed between freelancers.

The flowcharts below show how both freelancers and clients interact with Propellers.