Lucid Salon

First Freelance Opportunity

In the summer of 2019, a friend reached out to ask if I could help redesign the website for the salon she worked at, Lucid Salon. She was familiar with my web design skills and convinced the salon owner to approve what became my first freelance project. This opportunity was especially meaningful to me because it marked my first real experience working directly with a client outside of an academic setting.

The initial request was focused and practical. The salon wanted an online booking feature added to their website so clients could schedule appointments more easily. This feature was meant to improve the customer experience while reducing the operational burden on staff.

Solving the Primary User Need

My first task was to design and implement the online booking experience. I used STX to create a booking flow that was simple, clear, and aligned with how salon clients typically think about services, stylists, and availability.

Once the booking feature was live and functional, the scope expanded to include a broader site refresh. The goal was not a full redesign, but rather an update that aligned with the salon’s existing visual identity while improving usability.

Working Within an Existing Brand

The owner wanted the website to retain the same overall aesthetic and color palette as the original site. To support this, I gathered imagery from their Facebook page and existing website, along with their current font styles. Using these assets, I began building out the initial pages of the redesigned site.

From a UX perspective, this required balancing familiarity with improvement. Regular customers should feel like they were still on the Lucid Salon website, while benefiting from a cleaner layout and clearer interactions.

Collaboration and Approval Process

Before implementing designs in code, I created several sketches to validate layout and structure. These concepts needed approval not only from the salon owner, but also from the head of accounting, which introduced additional stakeholders into the decision making process.

This experience taught me early on how feedback can vary depending on perspective, and how important it is to clearly explain design decisions in terms of business value and user clarity.

Project Interruption and Uncertainty

Midway through the project, the salon owner requested a meeting to discuss the direction of the website. Unfortunately, that meeting never happened due to scheduling complications. About a week later, I was informed that development would be paused indefinitely.

Shortly after that, the salon closed permanently. While this was disappointing to hear, it also helped me understand that external factors often influence projects in ways designers cannot control.

Reflecting on the Outcome

Although the project only reached about halfway completion, I remain proud of what I was able to build in a short timeframe. The site was developed primarily using the Bootstrap framework, customized to fit the salon’s needs and branding.

Even without a full launch, the project represents an important milestone in my growth as a UX designer. It reinforced the value of process, communication, and adaptability, even when outcomes are uncertain.

Key Learnings

Freelance UX work requires flexibility, especially when project scope and timelines change unexpectedly.
Improving user experience does not always mean reinventing a brand, but often means refining what already exists.
Early validation with multiple stakeholders is critical to avoid misalignment later in the process.
Designing within constraints can strengthen problem solving skills and creativity.
Not every project reaches completion, but unfinished work can still provide meaningful experience and growth.
Clear communication and documentation are essential when working with small businesses and first time clients.