The past 18 months have changed everything. There’s no denying it — we’ve seen a major shift. Full-time design roles have been frozen, downsized, or replaced altogether. Hiring managers are cautious. Teams are leaner. And companies are finding new ways to get design done — often without bringing someone on full-time.

But here’s what hasn’t changed: The demand for high-quality design is still very real. In fact, it’s growing. The difference now is that companies are leaning more and more on freelancers — not as a stopgap, but as a strategic solution.

Freelance isn’t dead — it’s growing up

Contrary to the doomscrolling headlines, freelance work hasn’t dried up. If anything, it’s maturing. The problem is the model hasn’t caught up.

The platforms built to serve freelance designers weren’t made for this moment. They were made for a different era — one where freelance was side income, or a stop between jobs. That’s not the reality anymore.

Today, many designers are building full, thriving careers independently. But they’re still stuck navigating platforms that force them to compete on price, pay fees on every job, and chase short-term gigs. That’s not sustainable. And it’s not fair.

A simple, fairer way forward

We believe in a simpler, fairer model: One that connects great designers with great clients — and gets out of the way.

We’re building a commission-free collective focused on Figma and Framer designers. Not a platform. Not a subscription. Just a curated space where clients pay a small one-time matching fee, and designers keep 100% of what they earn. No recurring fees. No percentage cuts. No shady ranking algorithms.

Just real connections between people who want to build great things — and value each other’s time and skill.

Why Figma & Framer?

Because modern product teams are fast, flexible, and visual. Figma and Framer have become the heartbeat of that workflow.

The designers who use them aren’t just pushing pixels. They’re building entire product experiences — from idea to prototype to production. And they’re expected to move fast, solve real problems, and work seamlessly with developers and marketers. We want to support these designers — the ones who are setting the bar and shaping the future of design.

By focusing on these tools, we’re creating a community that speaks the same language — and can ship at the same speed.

Not a platform. Not a race to the bottom.

One of the biggest issues in freelance today? Everything is a race to the bottom.

Lowest price wins. Fastest turnaround gets picked. And the platforms running this show still take a healthy cut — or worse, charge designers monthly just to be seen. It’s extractive, and it burns everyone out.

Designers are forced to either give up a slice of every paycheck or pay for a monthly subscription just to appear at the top of the list. It’s a system built to benefit the platform — not the people doing the work.

We think that’s broken. We’re here to build something better — no commissions, no visibility fees, no games. Just great designers, fairly matched with great clients.

We’re flipping the model. This collective isn’t about volume — it’s about value. It's for designers who care about the craft, and clients who care about outcomes. We want to create space for long-term partnerships, fair rates, and mutual respect — not just transactions. The future is flexible — and that’s a good thing

Full-time teams are shrinking. Project-based work is rising. And for many designers, that’s not a crisis — it’s an opportunity. The freedom to work with multiple clients. To charge what you’re worth. To stay independent and in demand.

We’re here to make that easier. To help good designers make good money from good clients. Because that’s what it comes down to.

For designers, it’s about freedom and fairness

Designers deserve to earn more — not just for survival, but for sustainability. The freedom to choose your clients. The space to focus on your craft. The opportunity to grow your income without giving a percentage away every time you get paid.

That’s what this collective is about: Helping good designers make good money from good clients.

Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, we believe your work should speak louder than your ranking on a platform. And your income shouldn’t be siphoned off just because you’re independent. We want to empower you to build a freelance career on your terms — one that’s sustainable, flexible, and fair.

For clients, it's about quality and trust

On the flip side, clients are tired too. They’re tired of sorting through hundreds of mismatched profiles. Tired of inconsistent work. Tired of not knowing what they're getting. This model makes things easier for everyone.

You get access to talented designers, matched based on your needs. You pay a small, transparent fee — once. Then you work directly with the designer, without any platform sitting in the middle. It’s faster, clearer, and more human. And it leads to better outcomes — because when designers are respected and well-paid, they do their best work.

The future of design work is flexible — and we’re here for it

Remote work isn’t going anywhere. Neither is flexibility. The traditional team structure is evolving, and freelance is no longer a fallback — it’s a feature. It’s how the smartest companies are accessing top talent without long-term risk.

We’re not trying to rebuild the old system. We’re creating something new. Something built around trust, not control.

Designers stay independent. Clients find the right talent, fast. And everyone gets more value — without giving away a cut.

We’re just getting started

This isn’t about building the biggest marketplace. It’s about building a better one — rooted in community, craft, and fairness.

If you’re a designer tired of paying monthly just to stay visible — or stuck behind paywalls that promise exposure but deliver scraps — this is for you. And if you’re a client sick of wading through endless profiles, boosted listings, and inflated fees — you’re not alone.

We’re not building another system where the highest bidder gets seen. We’re creating a new path — where designers earn more, clients find talent they can trust, and no one has to pay to play.

No subscriptions. No commissions. No games. Just honest work, fairly matched.

We’re building something better — together. Apply to join the collective and be part of the future of freelance.