Fortal Platform UX/UI Redesign & Strategic Overhaul

Role: Product Strategist

Scope: UX/UI Redesign, Information Architecture, Multi-user Logic

The original Fortal platform had the technical power for virtual collaboration but lacked the UX polish needed for professional scaling. The challenge was to redesign a "shared computer" experience where clients and freelancers could collaborate simultaneously in real-time without the chaos of typical screen-sharing tools.

I acted as the Product Strategist to rebuild the platform's core flows—from secure onboarding to the live "Playground"—ensuring every interaction felt intuitive and investor-ready.

I designed the primary dashboard to serve as a high-level command center for clients to monitor their entire collaborative ecosystem at a glance:

KPI Health Monitor: Integrated top-level metrics for Total Sessions, Total Files Uploaded, and Freelancers Involved to provide immediate proof of platform value.

Workspace Lifecycle Management: Created a clear visual hierarchy separating "Active Sessions" from "Ended Sessions," allowing clients to manage multiple ongoing projects without mental clutter.

Session Card Architecture: Designed high-utility session cards that display project duration, active freelancer avatars, and a direct "Share" shortcut to facilitate the "handshake" process.

Zero-State Onboarding Strategy: Developed an intuitive "empty state" for new users that maintains the metric layout while providing a prominent CTA to "Create your 1st Fortal workspace," reducing the barrier to entry.

I transformed the complex technical setup of a virtual machine into a high-clarity, 3-step strategic wizard:

Secure Access Setup: Clients define session details and set specific passwords for freelancer access right at the start.

Security Guardrails: A specialized interface for "Restriction Mode," allowing clients to whitelist or blacklist specific websites to ensure a focused, professional environment.

The core of the platform is a dual-portal architecture. I designed these mirrored environments to ensure that while clients and freelancers have different permissions, they share a unified context.

Real-Time Oversight: Mirrors the freelancer’s portal but adds an administrative layer, showing which specific freelancers are currently active in a session.

Ecosystem Integrity: Pins Files, Chats, and Whitelisted Sites directly to the session to prevent context switching and keep assets secure.

I designed the freelancer portal to eliminate "work about work" and get them straight into the production playground:

The Secure "Front Door": Designed as a "Secure Session Handshake," the login UI requires the client-defined password, reinforcing the idea of a high-security professional vault.

Session Pacing & Lifecycle: The UI gives freelancers clear visibility into their status (e.g., "10 out of 28 sessions remaining"), allowing them to manage their time without client intervention.

Compliance Transparency: I explicitly listed "Whitelisted Sites" in the dashboard. This acts as a visual creative brief, ensuring the freelancer knows exactly which tools are approved.

Resource Audit Trail: Integrated a structured file management system with "Uploaded By" and "Uploaded At" columns to ensure absolute clarity and accountability in shared workspaces.

The Playground is the most technically complex part of the project—a custom browser environment where the "shared computer" experience happens.

The Session Top Bar: I designed a persistent navigation bar that anchors the session. It features high-level identity indicators for "Trust," "Collaboration," "Security," and "Transparency," alongside quick actions like "Share Workspace" and direct links back to the main dashboard.

Real-Time Multiplayer Presence: The UI tracks and displays multiple active users through color-coded cursors and name tags (e.g., Sonia, Faruq, Raj). This provides instant visual feedback on who is doing what within the browser interface.

Integrated Tool Access (The Centralized OS): I built custom shortcuts for essential tools like Hubspot, Shopify, and PowerPoint directly into the home screen, creating a centralized operating system that eliminates the need for external tabs.

Aesthetic Versatility: Maintained a premium look across both Dark and Light modes, ensuring a comfortable environment for long collaborative sessions regardless of user preference.

This playground transforms a standard browser into a shared virtual office, effectively bridging the physical gap between remote teams. By redesigning the flow from the Main Admin Dashboard to the Live Playground, I transformed Fortal into a powerful, market-ready solution for remote-first agencies and enterprises.

I don’t just design interfaces; I build scalable ecosystems that solve core business friction. Whether you are building a complex SaaS platform or a collaborative workspace, I provide the strategic guidance and design execution needed to go from a "confused founder" to a market leader.

Ready to transform your product? Get in touch with me now