Cactus| UI UX| Web app|Saas| product dsigner

Role: Product Designer Scope: UX/UI Design, Community Features, Gamification, Branding

When I first joined the Cactus project, the goal was bold: build a platform for developers that goes beyond Stack Overflow. Not just a place to get answers, but a space that developers genuinely enjoy spending time in—one that encourages collaboration, continuous learning, and connection.

The Challenge

Stack Overflow is great for quick fixes, but it often feels transactional and cold. We wanted to design something warmer—something that felt like a community. Cactus needed to combine the utility of a Q&A platform with the energy of a developer forum, the fun of a gaming app, and the purpose of a professional network.

My Approach

As the lead product designer, I focused on three key areas:

Enhanced UX/UI I designed an intuitive, developer-first interface that made navigating between discussions, code snippets, and profiles seamless. Every element was designed with clarity and speed in mind, because I know how developers think and work.

Community + Real-Time Interaction To foster engagement, I introduced features like forums, live chat, and collaborative threads. These weren’t afterthoughts—they were built into the experience from the ground up. We made sure users felt seen, heard, and part of something bigger.

Gamification That Actually Works We added tournaments, reputation scores, and achievement badges—not for the sake of it, but to drive genuine engagement and make learning a social, rewarding experience. Developers could now level up their skills and get recognized for their contributions.

Branding Finally, I led the charge on branding, creating a bold and clean visual identity that resonated with our tech-savvy audience. The brand had to feel modern, reliable, and a little edgy—something developers would proudly associate with.

The Result

Cactus evolved into more than a developer tool—it became a global hub for coders to grow, connect, and collaborate. Engagement metrics spiked, user feedback was glowing, and most importantly, we saw users coming back—not just for answers, but for the experience.