Overview
Fertig is designed for freelancers, combining legal services with project management tools to streamline work and protect their rights. Features include customizable workflows, smart contract management with multilingual support, and simplified legal guidance.
With its user-friendly design, the app empowers freelancers to focus on their creative work confidently.
Problem
Most legal tools aren't built for individuals, leaving independent creatives confused and at risk when handling contracts, and workflows.
Goal
Design an all-in-one platform that fills this gap by combining legal support with project management.
FERTIG
Legal Service Design | UX/UI Case Study
Design Process
Empathize
1
Define
2
Ideate
3
Style Guide &
Branding
4
Prototype &
Test
5
Our platform makes it easy to set up contract preferences, allowing users to automatically filter out agreements that include clauses beyond their scope of services. This ensures a smoother, more efficient contracting experience while reinforcing trust and control over professional agreements.
Problem
Freelancers often struggle to manage both legal and project-related tasks.
Most legal tools aren't built for individuals, leaving independent creatives confused and at risk when handling contracts, rights, and workflows.
Goal
Design an all-in-one platform that fills this gap by combining legal support with project management.
The app should provide smart contracts, clear legal guidance, and flexible workflows to help freelancers protect their rights and work confidently
Design Process
Empathize
1
2
Define
Ideate
3
Style Guide &
Branding
4
Prototype
&Test
5
Design Strategies
Strengten Benefits
Guide Decision Making
Make it Hassle Free
Increase Effiency
Save Money
Mitigate Resistance
Build Partnerships
Offer Transparency
Safeguard Data Privacy
Comply with Regulations
UI Design
We chose a clear, readable font and focused on creating a smooth, user-friendly interface. To achieve this, we incorporated pastel colors into our style guide for a clean and calming aesthetic.
Brand
VARIABLE
Brand 900
#83D0BB
Variable
Brand 800
#A8E8EB
Variable
Brand 700
#337BE2
Primary color
Variable
Brand 600
#DDF1F9
Variable
Brand 500
#D4E6F0
Variable
Brand 400
#DDF2F9
Variable
Brand 300
#DDEAF9
Neutral
VARIABLE
Neutral 900
#363247
Primary color
Variable
Neutral 700
#5C445D
Secondary color
Variable
Neutral 800
#5E5E5E
Variable
Neutral 600
#FDFCFC
Status
VARIABLE
Violet 900
#E6D4F0
VARIABLE
Yellow 50
#FEF7C8
Variable
Pink 600
#FFC1C1
Nunıto sans
Headline 1 Bold
Font-Size : 38px ・ Line-Height : 38px
Nunıto sans
Headline 2 Bold
Font-Size : 16px ・ Line-Height : 20px
Nunıto sans
Headline 3 S.Bold
Font-Size : 10px ・ Line-Height : 20px
nunıto sans
Subtitle S.Bold
Font-Size : 20px ・ Line-Height : 20px
overpass
Body 1 Regular
Font-Size : 18px ・ Line-Height : 18px
Overpass
Body 2 Bold
Font-Size : 14px ・ Line-Height : 20px
overpass
Capture Regular
Font-Size : 12px ・ Line-Height : 12px
Hi-Fi Screens
Since our design follows a simple and clean aesthetic, we wanted the logo to stand out and visually represent the product’s identity. By creating an eye-catching and distinctive logo, we aimed to establish a strong brand presence while maintaining consistency with the overall design language.
Contracts are simplified and visually structured using legal design principles, making them more accessible and easy to understand. Additionally, the auto-reply feature streamlines clause negotiations, allowing users to respond efficiently while retaining the flexibility to customize their replies.
Smart animations enhance the brand identity by creating a seamless, engaging, and dynamic user experience. They reinforce the brand’s personality while guiding users intuitively through the interface.
Our platform makes it easy to set up contract preferences, allowing users to automatically filter out agreements that include clauses beyond their scope of services. This ensures a smoother, more efficient contracting experience while reinforcing trust and control over professional agreements.
Key Learnings
Results & Value
Increased confidence among creatives managing legal tasks independently.
Reduced friction and confusion around legal processes.
Boosted retention by offering timely reminders, personalized support, and a calming visual design.
Challenges & How We Overcame Them
Legal conservatism → Framed design improvements as "efficiency boosters" for institutions and users.
Lack of empathy in legal interfaces → Used emotional storytelling and non-robotic language.
User trust concerns → Transparency about data use, GDPR alignment, friendly tone of voice.
Impact-Oriented KPIs Tracked
Task completion rates (form submissions, document uploads).
NPS score (user satisfaction via in-app feedback).
Drop-off rates per journey stage → used for iteration.
Positive emotional feedback via open-text surveys.
Conclusion
By applying legal design, Fertig transformed legal nightmares into manageable, even empowering, experiences.
We bridged emotional, procedural, and legal gaps through empathetic UX, guided steps, and user participation.
Legal design helped us democratize legal access for those who need it most — not just by solving problems, but by designing systems that care.
Results & Value
Increased confidence among creatives managing legal tasks independently.
Reduced friction and confusion around legal processes.
Boosted retention by offering timely reminders, personalized support, and a calming visual design.
Challenges & How We Overcame Them
Legal conservatism → Framed design improvements as "efficiency boosters" for institutions and users.
Lack of empathy in legal interfaces → Used emotional storytelling and non-robotic language.
User trust concerns → Transparency about data use, GDPR alignment, friendly tone of voice.
Impact-Oriented KPIs Tracked
Task completion rates (form submissions, document uploads).
NPS score (user satisfaction via in-app feedback).
Drop-off rates per journey stage → used for iteration.
Positive emotional feedback via open-text surveys.
Conclusion
By applying legal design, Fertig transformed legal nightmares into manageable, even empowering, experiences.
We bridged emotional, procedural, and legal gaps through empathetic UX, guided steps, and user participation.
Legal design helped us democratize legal access for those who need it most — not just by solving problems, but by designing systems that care.
Results & Value
Increased confidence among creatives managing legal tasks independently.
Reduced friction and confusion around legal processes.
Boosted retention by offering timely reminders, personalized support, and a calming visual design.
Challenges & How We Overcame Them
Legal conservatism → Framed design improvements as "efficiency boosters" for institutions and users.
Lack of empathy in legal interfaces → Used emotional storytelling and non-robotic language.
User trust concerns → Transparency about data use, GDPR alignment, friendly tone of voice.
Impact-Oriented KPIs Tracked
Task completion rates (form submissions, document uploads).
NPS score (user satisfaction via in-app feedback).
Drop-off rates per journey stage → used for iteration.
Positive emotional feedback via open-text surveys.
Conclusion
By applying legal design, Fertig transformed legal nightmares into manageable, even empowering, experiences.
We bridged emotional, procedural, and legal gaps through empathetic UX, guided steps, and user participation.
Legal design helped us democratize legal access for those who need it most — not just by solving problems, but by designing systems that care.
Results & Value
Increased confidence among creatives managing legal tasks independently.
Reduced friction and confusion around legal processes.
Boosted retention by offering timely reminders, personalized support, and a calming visual design.
Challenges & How We Overcame Them
Legal conservatism → Framed design improvements as "efficiency boosters" for institutions and users.
Lack of empathy in legal interfaces → Used emotional storytelling and non-robotic language.
User trust concerns → Transparency about data use, GDPR alignment, friendly tone of voice.
Impact-Oriented KPIs Tracked
Task completion rates (form submissions, document uploads).
NPS score (user satisfaction via in-app feedback).
Drop-off rates per journey stage → used for iteration.
Positive emotional feedback via open-text surveys.
Conclusion
By applying legal design, Fertig transformed legal nightmares into manageable, even empowering, experiences.
We bridged emotional, procedural, and legal gaps through empathetic UX, guided steps, and user participation.
Legal design helped us democratize legal access for those who need it most — not just by solving problems, but by designing systems that care.
Thanks for visiting! Let’s chat
Research
After completing our desk research, we identified a gap in accessible legal resources—there is no dedicated tool that helps individuals understand their rights, especially when signing important contracts. This issue is even more critical for those who cannot afford or access legal consultation.
Contract management tools are only
made for legal professionals
Existed legal support tools don’t fit
the needs for creative freelancer
AI is not reliable for legal support
if you don’t know “how to prompt”
Research
Through our comprehensive research process, I leveraged my legal background to identify a critical gap in accessible legal resources—specifically, the lack of dedicated tools helping individuals understand their rights when signing important contracts, an issue that's particularly acute for those who cannot afford legal consultation.
My legal expertise proved invaluable in conducting primary research, including interviews with four creative freelancers and two specialized lawyers (one focusing on IP and copyright law for artists, another advising freelancers), along with insights from 16 survey participants, allowing me to deeply understand the pain points and translate these findings into meaningful insights about the real challenges people face when navigating legal documents without proper support.
Contract management tools are only made for legal professionals
Existed legal support tools don’t fit the needs for creative freelancer
AI is not reliable for legal support if you don’t know “how to prompt”
Interviews & Survey
During our primary research phase, we conducted interviews with four freelancers working in creative fields and two lawyers—one specializing in IP and copyright law for artists and the other advising freelancers. Additionally, our survey received responses from 16 participants, providing further insights into the challenges they face.
Interviews Quotes
"Contracts are essential, but I often struggle to fully understand them. I wish there were simpler tools or guidance to make the process more accessible."
"Navigating the legal side of freelancing can be overwhelming, which is why I rely on platforms like Upwork, they provide the security and structure
I need to focus on my work."
"When disputes arise, the complexities of litigation discourage me from pursuing solutions. I prefer tools that help avoid such conflicts from the start."
User Persona
"I just want to focus on my art, not get bogged down in contracts, invoices, or chasing payments. I need tools that make managing clients and paperwork simple, secure, and efficient, so I can grow my business on my own terms."
Florian Sommer
Profession: Visual Designer
Age: 30
Location: Berlin, Germany
Experience: 3-5 years
He initially started working through Upwork but is now transitioning to working directly with his own clients and professional network..
He needs support in navigating bureaucracy and legal complexities when creating contracts.
How Might We?
Based on our ideation process and analysis of the data gathered during the research phase, we formulated our key How Might We (HMW) questions to guide the design process.
create a tool that helps freelancers to manage their projects and workflow?
help freelancers to understand their rights when they sign a contract?
avoid any litigation process or reduce risks which arised from the contracts?
protect freelancers from untrustworthy clients and secure their payments once the project is completed?
UI Design
We chose a clear, readable font and focused on creating a smooth, user-friendly interface. To achieve this, we incorporated pastel colors into our style guide for a clean and calming aesthetic.
Brand
VARIABLE
Brand 900
Variable
Brand 800
Variable
Brand 700
Primary color
Variable
Brand 600
Variable
Brand 500
Variable
Brand 400
Variable
Brand 300
Neutral
VARIABLE
Neutral 900
Primary color
Variable
Neutral 700
Secondary color
Variable
Neutral 800
Variable
Neutral 600
Status
VARIABLE
Violet 900
VARIABLE
Yellow 50
Variable
Pink 600
Screens
Since our design follows a simple and clean aesthetic, we wanted the logo to stand out and visually represent the product’s identity. By creating an eye-catching and distinctive logo, we aimed to establish a strong brand presence while maintaining consistency with the overall design language.
FERTIG
Legal Service Design | UX/UI Case Study
FERTIG
Legal Service Design | UX/UI Case Study
FERTIG
Legal Service Design | UX/UI Case Study
FERTIG
Legal Service Design | UX/UI Case Study
Overview
Fertig is designed for freelancers, combining legal services with project management tools to streamline work and protect their rights. Features include customizable workflows, smart contract management with multilingual support, and simplified legal guidance.
With its user-friendly design, the app empowers freelancers to focus on their creative work confidently.
Overview
Overview
Fertig is designed for freelancers, combining legal services with project management tools to streamline work and protect their rights. Features include customizable workflows, smart contract management with multilingual support, and simplified legal guidance.
With its user-friendly design, the app empowers freelancers to focus on their creative work confidently.
Problem
Freelancers often struggle to manage both legal and project-related tasks.
Most legal tools aren't built for individuals, leaving independent creatives confused and at risk when handling contracts, rights, and workflows.
Goal
Design an all-in-one platform that fills this gap by combining legal support with project management.
The app should provide smart contracts, clear legal guidance, and flexible workflows to help freelancers protect their rights and work confidently
Empathize
Define
Ideate
Style Guide &
Branding
Prototype & Test
1
2
3
4
5
Design Process
Through our comprehensive research process, I leveraged my legal background to identify a critical gap in accessible legal resources—specifically, the lack of dedicated tools helping individuals understand their rights when signing important contracts, an issue that's particularly acute for those who cannot afford legal consultation.
My legal expertise proved invaluable in conducting primary research, including interviews with four creative freelancers and two specialized lawyers (one focusing on IP and copyright law for artists, another advising freelancers), along with insights from 16 survey participants, allowing me to deeply understand the pain points and translate these findings into meaningful insights about the real challenges people face when navigating legal documents without proper support.
Research
Contract management tools are only made for legal professionals
Existed legal support tools don’t fit the needs for creative freelancer
AI is not reliable for legal support if you don’t know “how to prompt”
Interviews Quotes
"Contracts are essential, but I often struggle to fully understand them. I wish there were simpler tools or guidance to make the process more accessible."
"Navigating the legal side of freelancing can be overwhelming, which is why I rely on platforms like Upwork — they provide the security and structure. I need to focus on my work."
"When disputes arise, the complexities of litigation discourage me from pursuing solutions. I prefer tools that help avoid such conflicts from the start."
User Persona
Florian Sommer
Profession: Visual Designer
Age: 30
Location: Berlin, Germany
Experience: 3-5 years
He initially started working through Upwork but is now transitioning to working directly with his own clients and professional network..
He needs support in navigating bureaucracy and legal complexities when creating contracts.
During our research phase, we conducted interviews with four freelancers working in creative fields and two lawyers—one specializing in IP and copyright law for artists and the other advising freelancers. Additionally, our survey received responses from 16 participants, providing further insights into the challenges they face.
Interviews Quotes
"Navigating the legal side of freelancing
can be overwhelming, which is why I rely
on platforms like Upwork — they
provide the security and structure
I need to focus on my work."
"Contracts are essential, but I often struggle to fully understand them. I wish there were simpler tools or guidance to make the process more accessible."
"When disputes arise, the complexities of litigation discourage me from pursuing solutions. I prefer tools that help avoid such conflicts from the start."
"When disputes arise, the complexities of litigation discourage me from pursuing solutions. I prefer tools that help avoid such conflicts from the start."
User Persona
Florian Sommer
Profession: Visual Designer
Age: 30
Location: Berlin, Germany
Experience: 3-5 years
"I just want to focus on my art, not get bogged down in contracts, invoices, or chasing payments. I need tools that make managing clients and paperwork simple, secure, and efficient, so I can grow my business on my own terms."
Thanks for visiting! Let’s chat
User Flow
We prioritized intuitive, user-centered navigation to ensure that users feel confident using a legal support app without being overwhelmed by complex legal concepts.
How Might We?
Based on our ideation process and analysis of the data gathered during the research phase, we formulated our key How Might We (HMW) questions to guide the design process.
create a tool that helps freelancers to manage their projects and workflow?
help freelancers to understand their rights when they sign a contract?
avoid any litigation process or reduce risks which arised from the contracts?
protect freelancers from untrustworthy clients and secure their payments once the project is completed?
User Flow
We prioritized intuitive, user-centered navigation to ensure that users feel confident using a legal support app without being overwhelmed by complex legal concepts.
Nunıto sans
Headline 1 Bold
Nunıto sans
Headline 2 Bold
Nunıto sans
Headline 3 S.Bold
nunıto sans
Subtitle S.Bold
overpass
Body 1 Regular
Overpass
Body 2 Bold
How Might We?
How did we use Legal Service Design to improve the user journey?
Treated legal design as a service design extension tailored to legal pain points: fear, confusion, time pressure, language gaps.
Mapped user journeys from discovering the app to completing bureaucratic steps
Designed both frontstage (UI, forms) and backstage (deadline sync, doc generation, notifications) elements.
Recognized that users feel overwhelmed and emotionally isolated in legal processes.
Designed the interface and content to feel human, warm, and non-Kafkaesque, ensuring transparency about process steps and what’s happening “behind the curtain.”
Used plain language and visual cues to open the black box of legal workflows.
Based on our ideation process and analysis of the data gathered during the research phase, we formulated our key How Might We (HMW) questions to guide the design process.
create a tool that helps freelancers to manage their projects and workflow?
help freelancers to understand their rights when they sign a contract?
avoid any litigation process or reduce risks which arised from the contracts?
protect freelancers from untrustworthy clients and secure their payments once the project is completed?
User Flow
We prioritized intuitive, user-centered navigation to ensure that users feel confident using a legal support app without being overwhelmed by complex legal concepts.
Dashboard
Finish
Scan a Contract
Upload a Contract
Choose a Contract
Create a Contract
Search Contract
Review Page
Review Page
Review Page
Overview Page
Confirmation
Overview Page
YES
NO
Confirm
Sign
Negoiate
Send
Reject
Confirm
NO
Send
Legal Design Strategy
Treated legal design as a service design extension tailored to legal pain points: fear, confusion, time pressure, language gaps.
Mapped user journeys from discovering the app to completing bureaucratic steps
Designed both frontstage (UI, forms) and backstage (deadline sync, doc generation, notifications) elements.
Recognized that users feel overwhelmed and emotionally isolated in legal processes.
Designed the interface and content to feel human, warm, and non-Kafkaesque, ensuring transparency about process steps and what’s happening “behind the curtain.”
Used plain language and visual cues to open the black box of legal workflows.
Contracts are simplified and visually structured using legal design principles, making them more accessible and easy to understand. Additionally, the auto-reply feature streamlines clause negotiations, allowing users to respond efficiently while retaining the flexibility to customize their replies.
Smart animations enhance the brand identity by creating a seamless, engaging, and dynamic user experience. They reinforce the brand’s personality while guiding users intuitively through the interface.
Design Strategies
Mitigate Resistance
Build Partnerships
Offer Transparency
Safeguard Data Privacy
Comply with Regulations
Strengten Benefits
Guide Decision Making
Make it Hassle Free
Increase Effiency
Save Money
Screens
Design Strategies
Strengten Benefits
Guide Decision Making
Make it Hassle Free
Increase Effiency
Save Money
Mitigate Resistance
Build Partnerships
Offer Transparency
Safeguard Data Privacy
Comply with Regulations
We chose a clear, readable font and focused on creating a smooth, user-friendly interface. To achieve this, we incorporated pastel colors into our style guide for a clean and calming aesthetic.
Since our design follows a simple and clean aesthetic, we wanted the logo to stand out and visually represent the product’s identity. By creating an eye-catching and distinctive logo, we aimed to establish a strong brand presence while maintaining consistency with the overall design language.
Our platform makes it easy to set up contract preferences, allowing users to automatically filter out agreements that include clauses beyond their scope of services. This ensures a smoother, more efficient contracting experience while reinforcing trust and control over professional agreements.
Smart animations enhance the brand identity by creating a seamless, engaging, and dynamic user experience. They reinforce the brand’s personality while guiding users intuitively through the interface.
Contracts are simplified and visually structured using legal design principles, making them more accessible and easy to understand. Additionally, the auto-reply feature streamlines clause negotiations, allowing users to respond efficiently while retaining the flexibility to customize their replies.
Key Learnings
Results & Value
Increased confidence among creatives managing legal tasks independently.
Reduced friction and confusion around legal processes.
Boosted retention by offering timely reminders, personalized support, and a calming visual design.
Challenges & How We Overcame Them
Legal conservatism → Framed design improvements as "efficiency boosters" for institutions and users.
Lack of empathy in legal interfaces → Used emotional storytelling and non-robotic language.
User trust concerns → Transparency about data use, GDPR alignment, friendly tone of voice.
Impact-Oriented KPIs Tracked
Task completion rates (form submissions, document uploads).
NPS score (user satisfaction via in-app feedback).
Drop-off rates per journey stage → used for iteration.
Positive emotional feedback via open-text surveys.
Conclusion
By applying legal design, Fertig transformed legal nightmares into manageable, even empowering, experiences.
We bridged emotional, procedural, and legal gaps through empathetic UX, guided steps, and user participation.
Legal design helped us democratize legal access for those who need it most — not just by solving problems, but by designing systems that care.
Results & Value
Increased confidence among creatives managing legal tasks independently.
Reduced friction and confusion around legal processes.
Boosted retention by offering timely reminders, personalized support, and a calming visual design.
Challenges & How We Overcame Them
Legal conservatism → Framed design improvements as "efficiency boosters" for institutions and users.
Lack of empathy in legal interfaces → Used emotional storytelling and non-robotic language.
User trust concerns → Transparency about data use, GDPR alignment, friendly tone of voice.
Impact-Oriented KPIs Tracked
Task completion rates (form submissions, document uploads).
NPS score (user satisfaction via in-app feedback).
Drop-off rates per journey stage → used for iteration.
Positive emotional feedback via open-text surveys.
Conclusion
By applying legal design, Fertig transformed legal nightmares into manageable, even empowering, experiences.
We bridged emotional, procedural, and legal gaps through empathetic UX, guided steps, and user participation.
Legal design helped us democratize legal access for those who need it most — not just by solving problems, but by designing systems that care.
Results & Value
Increased confidence among creatives managing legal tasks independently.
Reduced friction and confusion around legal processes.
Boosted retention by offering timely reminders, personalized support, and a calming visual design.
Challenges & How We Overcame Them
Legal conservatism → Framed design improvements as "efficiency boosters" for institutions and users.
Lack of empathy in legal interfaces → Used emotional storytelling and non-robotic language.
User trust concerns → Transparency about data use, GDPR alignment, friendly tone of voice.
Impact-Oriented KPIs Tracked
Task completion rates (form submissions, document uploads).
NPS score (user satisfaction via in-app feedback).
Drop-off rates per journey stage → used for iteration.
Positive emotional feedback via open-text surveys.
Conclusion
By applying legal design, Fertig transformed legal nightmares into manageable, even empowering, experiences.
We bridged emotional, procedural, and legal gaps through empathetic UX, guided steps, and user participation.
Legal design helped us democratize legal access for those who need it most — not just by solving problems, but by designing systems that care.
Results & Value
Increased confidence among creatives managing legal tasks independently.
Reduced friction and confusion around legal processes.
Boosted retention by offering timely reminders, personalized support, and a calming visual design.
Challenges & How We Overcame Them
Legal conservatism → Framed design improvements as "efficiency boosters" for institutions and users.
Lack of empathy in legal interfaces → Used emotional storytelling and non-robotic language.
User trust concerns → Transparency about data use, GDPR alignment, friendly tone of voice.
Impact-Oriented KPIs Tracked
Task completion rates (form submissions, document uploads).
NPS score (user satisfaction via in-app feedback).
Drop-off rates per journey stage → used for iteration.
Positive emotional feedback via open-text surveys.
Conclusion
By applying legal design, Fertig transformed legal nightmares into manageable, even empowering, experiences.
We bridged emotional, procedural, and legal gaps through empathetic UX, guided steps, and user participation.
Legal design helped us democratize legal access for those who need it most — not just by solving problems, but by designing systems that care.
Thanks for visiting! Let’s chat