It started with a Figma workshop.
It wasn’t a grand event, just a casual, free lesson I hosted for the Baltimore Tech Meetup. The goal? Share a few practical design skills, build connections, and maybe inspire someone along the way. I didn’t think much of it—just another day in the life of Brady UX, a design agency dreaming big.
That night, though, something clicked. Among the attendees was a guy named Paul Flynn. He wasn’t loud or attention-grabbing, but his questions cut to the heart of what I was teaching. He had that energy of someone with a vision, someone quietly piecing together something larger than life. We exchanged a few words, and then we parted ways.
Fast-forward a few weeks. At another tech meetup, our paths crossed again. This time, Paul didn’t just ask questions—he shared a glimpse of his dream: Arkavo, a platform designed to give content creators full control of their work. No stolen images, no pirated videos—just creators empowered to protect their art and engage directly with their audiences.
Before long, Paul joined our Slack community, a growing space where creatives, technologists, and dreamers exchange ideas. And that’s where the real story began.
Building Trust, One Slack Message at a Time
Through Slack, Paul started to share more about Arkavo. It wasn’t just another app—it was a mission. A social network for creators, built on privacy, trust, and security. The core idea revolved around empowering creators to protect their content and even enlist their most dedicated fans as “Protectors” to monitor the web for stolen work.
It was a lot to take in, but it resonated. At Brady UX, we’ve always believed in creating meaningful tools, not just pretty interfaces. And Arkavo? It had meaning.
When Paul reached out about partnering with us to refine the platform, it wasn’t just an opportunity—it felt like a calling. But it came with a challenge: he needed a six-month engagement proposal. Something airtight, actionable, and compelling enough to get investors on board. No pressure.
The Call That Defined Everything
Our first official meeting with Paul was a whirlwind. He came prepared, with visions, workflows, and a clear sense of urgency.
“We’re launching in December,” he said. “I need a team that can get us there—and beyond.”
Paul talked us through Arkavo’s features. There was the registration flow, streamlined and privacy-focused. The creator dashboard, designed to connect seamlessly with platforms like Patreon. And, of course, the Protector system—a way for fans to not just support creators but actively defend their work against theft.
He also had his sights set on the future: scaling Arkavo to international markets like the EU and Brazil. That meant compliance with GDPR and Brazil’s LGPD, as well as localized designs and messaging. It was ambitious. It was bold. It was exactly the kind of project we’d been waiting for.
Crafting the Proposal
Back at our (virtual) office, ChatGPT and I got to work. The goal was clear: deliver a proposal that not only outlined our approach but reflected the heart of Arkavo’s mission.
We combed through our notes from the call and meticulously crafted every detail. The process felt almost surreal—effortless, yet perfectly aligned with what the project needed.
We started by breaking the project into four distinct phases:
Audit and Issue Summary: Identifying what was working, what wasn’t, and where we could improve.
User Research and Testing: Engaging with creators to understand their needs and refine Arkavo’s features.
UX/UI Design Improvements: Enhancing key workflows, like the registration process and creator dashboard.
International Focus: Preparing Arkavo for the EU and Brazil, with compliance, localization, and tailored marketing strategies.
The scope was ambitious, but we knew we could handle it. Paul needed all of this done for $12,000/month over six months. Despite the complexity of the international focus, we decided to include it in the scope without increasing the cost. Why? Because we believed in the vision.
Fine-Tuning and Final Touches
After sending the first draft of the proposal, Paul got back to us with a single note: “At the midway point, three months in, we’d like to focus on international markets—EU and Brazil. Is this covered by the proposal?”
It was a small tweak, but it carried weight. Including international compliance wasn’t just about adding tasks—it meant ensuring Arkavo would stand tall on a global stage. We adjusted the timeline, redistributed the workload, and made it clear that this milestone would get the attention it deserved.
Finally, the proposal was ready. It outlined everything from deliverables to timelines, costs, and even how we’d collaborate with his team. It wasn’t just a document—it was a roadmap to something transformative.
The Power of Building in Public
Throughout this process, we stayed true to one of our core beliefs: building in public. From brainstorming in Slack to documenting our progress in this very blog, we’ve shared every step of this journey.
Why? Because this isn’t just about Arkavo or Brady UX—it’s about showing what’s possible when people come together with big ideas and even bigger determination. It’s about transparency, collaboration, and the belief that the best work happens when everyone is invited to the table.
What Comes Next
As we hit “send” on that final proposal, a wave of anticipation washed over us. This was more than just a project—it was a chance to shape the future of content creation, to protect what matters, and to do it alongside a visionary like Paul.
But it was also a defining moment for us. Brady UX isn’t a big agency. We’re a small team with big dreams, and this project represents everything we’ve been working toward: meaningful design, strong partnerships, and the opportunity to leave our mark on the world.
As we move forward, we’ll continue to share our progress, challenges, and victories. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that building something extraordinary doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens when people come together, believe in each other, and refuse to give up.
To Paul, to Arkavo, and to every creator out there: this is just the beginning.
Follow along as we continue this journey. Who knows where it might lead?
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