The brief

Nova is a concept design for a freelancer payment and invoicing app. Send invoices, accept payments, track receivables, all from your phone. The defining design choice was treating the freelancer's client (the payer) as a first-class user, not an afterthought. We designed the brand and the iOS/Android app across ten weeks.

What we solved

Freelancer invoicing apps usually optimize for the freelancer and treat the payment link as a checkout afterthought. The result is invoices that look unprofessional to the client, which slows down payment. Nova flipped the priority: the payment surface had to feel as polished as a Stripe Checkout for the client, and only then could it feel fast for the freelancer.

How we got there

We split the design across two audiences: the freelancer (who lives in the app) and the client (who gets a one-time payment link). Both surfaces share visual language but optimize for different jobs. The freelancer-side app is built for fast invoice creation. The client-side payment page leads with the freelancer's brand and credentials, not the platform's.

What we shipped

The Nova concept includes a freelancer-side mobile app for invoice management, plus a polished web payment surface that clients receive via SMS or email. Stripe sketches handle the actual payment processing. The brand system extends to client-side surfaces so freelancers feel like they're using a premium tool that makes them look good.

What changed for the client

Nova published as an internal concept and was Webby-shortlisted in the design category. The work informed a paid client engagement in the freelancer tools space and remains one of our strongest portfolio pieces for fintech.