Research
Research
Byte is a marketplace app concept I designed from research to high-fidelity prototype, built to replace the scattered forums and sketchy listings PC builders rely on today.
Project
Byte — Mobile Marketplace
Timeline
Oct. — Dec. 2024
Role
UX Designer & Researcher
Project overview
Byte is a mobile marketplace application designed for PC enthusiasts, builders, and gamers to buy and sell new and used PC parts, components, peripherals, and full gaming setups in one centralized platform.
Problem
PC builders today have no dedicated place to buy and sell hardware. They're forced to navigate a fragmented mess of Reddit threads, Facebook Marketplace listings, and Craigslist posts — platforms with no part-specific filters, no seller trust signals, and no mobile experience built for this community. Byte was designed to change that — one centralized marketplace where enthusiasts can buy and sell new and used parts, components, and full gaming setups with confidence.
Research
Problem
PC builders today have no dedicated place to buy and sell hardware. They're forced to navigate a fragmented mess of Reddit threads, Facebook Marketplace listings, and Craigslist posts — platforms with no part-specific filters, no seller trust signals, and no mobile experience built for this community. Byte was designed to change that — one centralized marketplace where enthusiasts can buy and sell new and used parts, components, and full gaming setups with confidence.
Research
92% of users actively browse for parts regularly
89% are open to buying used parts
6 real users interviewed
Problem
PC builders today have no dedicated place to buy and sell hardware. They're forced to navigate a fragmented mess of Reddit threads, Facebook Marketplace listings, and Craigslist posts — platforms with no part-specific filters, no seller trust signals, and no mobile experience built for this community. Byte was designed to change that — one centralized marketplace where enthusiasts can buy and sell new and used parts, components, and full gaming setups with confidence.
Research
Personas
92% of users actively browse for parts regularly
92% of users actively browse for parts regularly
89% are open to buying used parts
6 real users interviewed
Research
Personas
User Flow
Site Map
User Flow
Site Map
Low fidelity → High fidelity
89% are open to buying used parts
6 real users interviewed
Low fidelity → High fidelity
Final Design
Final Design
Testing & Findings
Real users tested the prototype across two sessions — here's what worked, what didn't, and what I changed.
Project Reflection
Byte was an early project that pushed me to develop my design process from scratch, from conducting real user research to building a high-fidelity prototype entirely in Figma. Designing a marketplace taught me that trust is one of the most important elements in the buying experience. Every design decision, from seller ratings and verified profiles to a simplified checkout flow, was made with the goal of helping users feel confident and secure throughout their journey.
This project also helped me understand the value of grounding design decisions in research rather than assumptions. Through user interviews and competitive analysis, I learned how users evaluate credibility when purchasing from unfamiliar sellers and what friction points commonly prevent them from completing transactions. These insights directly influenced the features and interactions I prioritized in the final prototype.
If I continued developing Byte, I would begin the process of expanding it from a mobile application into a responsive website. During my competitor research, I noticed that many successful marketplace platforms provide seamless experiences across multiple devices, allowing users to browse, compare, and purchase products wherever it is most convenient. Developing a web version would not only increase accessibility but also create opportunities to support more advanced browsing, seller management, and inventory features.
Looking back, Byte was an important milestone in my growth as a designer because it taught me how to balance business goals, user needs, and design principles. More importantly, it showed me that successful marketplace design is not just about visual appeal. It is about creating an environment where users feel informed, confident, and willing to engage with the platform.
Byte was an early project that pushed me to develop my design process from scratch, from conducting real user research to building a high-fidelity prototype entirely in Figma. Designing a marketplace taught me that trust is one of the most important elements in the buying experience. Every design decision, from seller ratings and verified profiles to a simplified checkout flow, was made with the goal of helping users feel confident and secure throughout their journey
If I continued developing Byte, I would begin the process of expanding it from a mobile application into a responsive website. During my competitor research, I noticed that many successful marketplace platforms provide seamless experiences across multiple devices, allowing users to browse, compare, and purchase products wherever it is most convenient. Developing a web version would not only increase accessibility but also create opportunities to support more advanced browsing, seller management, and inventory features.
Looking back, Byte was an important milestone in my growth as a designer because it taught me how to balance business goals, user needs, and design principles. More importantly, it showed me that successful marketplace design is not just about visual appeal. It is about creating an environment where users feel informed, confident, and willing to engage with the platform.
Latest projects
Latest projects
Research
Research
Byte is a marketplace app concept I designed from research to high-fidelity prototype, built to replace the scattered forums and sketchy listings PC builders rely on today.
Project
Byte — Mobile Marketplace
Timeline
Oct. — Dec. 2024
Role
UX Designer & Researcher
Project overview
Byte is a mobile marketplace application designed for PC enthusiasts, builders, and gamers to buy and sell new and used PC parts, components, peripherals, and full gaming setups in one centralized platform.
Problem
PC builders today have no dedicated place to buy and sell hardware. They're forced to navigate a fragmented mess of Reddit threads, Facebook Marketplace listings, and Craigslist posts — platforms with no part-specific filters, no seller trust signals, and no mobile experience built for this community. Byte was designed to change that — one centralized marketplace where enthusiasts can buy and sell new and used parts, components, and full gaming setups with confidence.
Research
Problem
PC builders today have no dedicated place to buy and sell hardware. They're forced to navigate a fragmented mess of Reddit threads, Facebook Marketplace listings, and Craigslist posts — platforms with no part-specific filters, no seller trust signals, and no mobile experience built for this community. Byte was designed to change that — one centralized marketplace where enthusiasts can buy and sell new and used parts, components, and full gaming setups with confidence.
Research
92% of users actively browse for parts regularly
89% are open to buying used parts
6 real users interviewed
Problem
PC builders today have no dedicated place to buy and sell hardware. They're forced to navigate a fragmented mess of Reddit threads, Facebook Marketplace listings, and Craigslist posts — platforms with no part-specific filters, no seller trust signals, and no mobile experience built for this community. Byte was designed to change that — one centralized marketplace where enthusiasts can buy and sell new and used parts, components, and full gaming setups with confidence.
Research
Personas
92% of users actively browse for parts regularly
92% of users actively browse for parts regularly
89% are open to buying used parts
6 real users interviewed
Research
Personas
User Flow
Site Map
User Flow
Site Map
Low fidelity → High fidelity
89% are open to buying used parts
6 real users interviewed
Low fidelity → High fidelity
Final Design
Final Design
Testing & Findings
Real users tested the prototype across two sessions — here's what worked, what didn't, and what I changed.
Project Reflection
Byte was an early project that pushed me to develop my design process from scratch, from conducting real user research to building a high-fidelity prototype entirely in Figma. Designing a marketplace taught me that trust is one of the most important elements in the buying experience. Every design decision, from seller ratings and verified profiles to a simplified checkout flow, was made with the goal of helping users feel confident and secure throughout their journey.
This project also helped me understand the value of grounding design decisions in research rather than assumptions. Through user interviews and competitive analysis, I learned how users evaluate credibility when purchasing from unfamiliar sellers and what friction points commonly prevent them from completing transactions. These insights directly influenced the features and interactions I prioritized in the final prototype.
If I continued developing Byte, I would begin the process of expanding it from a mobile application into a responsive website. During my competitor research, I noticed that many successful marketplace platforms provide seamless experiences across multiple devices, allowing users to browse, compare, and purchase products wherever it is most convenient. Developing a web version would not only increase accessibility but also create opportunities to support more advanced browsing, seller management, and inventory features.
Looking back, Byte was an important milestone in my growth as a designer because it taught me how to balance business goals, user needs, and design principles. More importantly, it showed me that successful marketplace design is not just about visual appeal. It is about creating an environment where users feel informed, confident, and willing to engage with the platform.
Byte was an early project that pushed me to develop my design process from scratch, from conducting real user research to building a high-fidelity prototype entirely in Figma. Designing a marketplace taught me that trust is one of the most important elements in the buying experience. Every design decision, from seller ratings and verified profiles to a simplified checkout flow, was made with the goal of helping users feel confident and secure throughout their journey
If I continued developing Byte, I would begin the process of expanding it from a mobile application into a responsive website. During my competitor research, I noticed that many successful marketplace platforms provide seamless experiences across multiple devices, allowing users to browse, compare, and purchase products wherever it is most convenient. Developing a web version would not only increase accessibility but also create opportunities to support more advanced browsing, seller management, and inventory features.
Looking back, Byte was an important milestone in my growth as a designer because it taught me how to balance business goals, user needs, and design principles. More importantly, it showed me that successful marketplace design is not just about visual appeal. It is about creating an environment where users feel informed, confident, and willing to engage with the platform.
Latest projects
Latest projects