Zig: Project management platform for creative experts.
A revolutionary feature-rich SaaS platform that transforms how creative professionals connect, collaborate, and build their careers, while doing work they love.
Executive summary.
Creative professionals lacked an integrated platform that combined project management, networking, and collaboration — most existing tools were either too rigid or too fragmented.
Zig needed a product team capable of moving at startup speed while building something users would choose even with unlimited alternatives.
Zig redefined what digital tools can be: human, elegant, and inspiring. Today, it unites creatives across continents, transforms workflows, and proves that structure and creativity can coexist — without compromise.
Together we designed and built a global creative operating system — a seamless blend of project management, networking, and collaboration. From discovery to MVP, we crafted a platform that feels intuitive, beautiful, and empowering for creatives worldwide.
Client.
Neil led an established design studio in Vancouver, Rival Schools, and through years of working with creative teams worldwide, he had witnessed firsthand the universal struggles creative professionals face in finding suitable projects and managing workflows effectively.
He understood that creative professionals deserve tools that respect their craft, celebrate their work, and make collaboration feel natural.
Challenge.
Creative professionals were stuck with soulless project management tools built for corporations, portfolio sites that couldn't help them find work, and freelance platforms that treated them like commodities. The market was ready for something better.
Neil already had a deep understanding of the market from years of industry experience, a comprehensive list of required features validated through conversations with creative professionals worldwide, and a compelling vision for a global platform.
What he lacked was a partner who could transform his vision into a digital experience that users would love. One that could launch within budget and timeline constraints, yet scale to delight millions.
We needed a team capable of moving at startup speed while building something our users would choose even with unlimited alternatives.
Strategic product research & planning.
We began by diving deep into Neil's priorities, challenges, and vision.
Through intensive workshops and comprehensive user research, we mapped out exactly what his customers needed. We conducted direct user interviews, validated assumptions through Q&A and A/B sessions, and built a clear product roadmap with realistic estimates.
Every decision was grounded in real feedback, priorities, and data.
Deep dive into understanding creative professionals' workflows, pain points, and emotional drivers through interviews with 50+ users across 12 countries. We uncovered that 73% felt "unseen" by existing tools, leading us to prioritize features that celebrate their work, not just manage it. This research shaped every design decision, from the portfolio showcase to the collaborative features.
Creation of a product roadmap that includes a detailed list of features, preliminary estimates, recommended priorities aligned with business goals, and a description. Prioritization and evaluation of features.
Development of a financial and budget strategy in accordance with the defined scope of technical
requirements.
Going forward, we identified the most critical components to launch a minimum viable product (MVP) and assembled the right team to meet Neil's needs, all while laying the groundwork for Zig's future growth.
By the end of our discovery phase, we had the exact vision for the SaaS digital product.
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Solution.
Zig—a global B2C SaaS platform that transforms how creative professionals manage projects, find work, and build their careers. Designed for freelancers, agencies, and creative teams worldwide, it combines project management, portfolio showcasing, and professional networking into one exclusive experience.
User experience.
The platform's user experience was crafted with the unique needs of creative professionals at its core, blending functionality with intuitive design.
The interface feels like a creative's natural workspace—intuitive, beautiful, and flexible. Where other tools impose rigid structure, Zig adapts to how creatives actually think and work. This minimalism reduced cognitive load, giving creatives more freedom to focus on their craft.
We began with an intuitive design language system, ensuring consistency across every element.
Features like the interactive Gantt chart and embedded chat complemented the clean aesthetics, proving that functionality and beauty can coexist.
Every detail — from typography to animations — was approached with the creative professional in mind, blending elegance with usability. We felt proud of each design decision we brought to life; it was a product of skill and vision, but more than that, it was something we knew would make a difference.
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Development.
We jumped into the project using a Scrum framework, moving swiftly from design to development. Our tech stack included Python and PostgreSQL on the backend, with AngularJS, and Material.
The team's investment in the project drove exceptional velocity. We delivered 15 core features in four months—30% faster than projected. The interactive Gantt chart became our technical showcase: real-time dependency linking, group management, and seamless task visualization. Each task included integrated chat with video attachments, emojis, and social media embedding.
Our sprint rhythm kept the client engaged with continuous, visible progress. From foundational elements like project creation and task management to advanced features like time tracking and team dashboards, every component was production-ready on delivery.
The seamless workflow wasn't accidental. It came from a team so committed they voluntarily extended hours to maintain momentum. This dedication transformed an ambitious scope into a working platform that exceeded initial timelines.
Performance breakthrough.
Our greatest technical challenge was app performance.
AngularJS 1.5's architecture forced complete app re-renders for every update—fatal for a platform running chat, Gantt charts, news feeds, and messaging simultaneously. The app crawled at 10fps. And at 10fps, we were betraying our users' trust. Creative flow demands seamless tools. Every lag interrupts inspiration.
Our solution required rethinking Angular's rendering pipeline. We built a custom component deactivation system that bypassed unnecessary updates. The result: 10fps to 60fps. A sixfold performance increase that transformed user experience from frustrating to fluid.
This breakthrough attracted industry attention. We presented our optimization approach at conferences, comparing Angular and React performance strategies. The technical win became a thought leadership opportunity.
With AngularJS, we achieved a near-instantaneous render time, rivaling the performance of React-based apps of the time. It was a thrilling moment of victory, knowing we had solved a problem many others might have abandoned.
Mobile app development.
At this point, Vladimir flew to Canada to meet Neil, discuss future plans, and solidify our next steps. The face-to-face meeting strengthened our partnership and aligned our vision for Zig's evolution.
Shortly after, we adapted the platform for mobile, launching it on the App Store with push notifications in just a few days thanks to PWA (Progressive Web Apps). This rapid mobile deployment showcased our ability to pivot quickly and deliver across platforms without compromising quality.
Technologies.
Every element of Zig was crafted using carefully selected technologies, chosen to deliver a robust, scalable solution.
Legacy.
Zig proved digital tools can feel human. By centering emotion—the pride of sharing work, the joy of collaboration, the confidence of organization—we created something creative professionals wanted to use. They opened Zig by choice, not obligation.
For Neil and his team at Rival Schools, Zig became more than just a successful product launch — it was the realization of their vision to transform how the world's creative professionals work together. They had created a platform with the potential to connect millions of creatives, facilitate countless collaborations, and enable projects that might never have happened otherwise.
And for us at Reliqio, it reinforced our belief that the best solutions come from deep collaboration, technical excellence, and an unwavering commitment to the user experience — whether that user is in Vancouver, Vienna, or Vietnam.
Because in the end, great tools don't just manage work — they inspire it, no matter where in the world creativity strikes.
Reliqio understood our users' dreams. They transformed a complex technical challenge into something that makes creative professionals feel proud and confident. That understanding is rare.
Frequently asked questions.
The investment depends on features and complexity. As a custom software development company, we provide detailed estimates after understanding your specific needs. Contact Reliqio for a personalized consultation.
While React is popular, we achieved exceptional 60fps performance with Angular through custom optimizations. The choice depends on your specific requirements—our team excels at both frameworks.
Absolutely. This case study demonstrates our ability to merge concepts from Jira, Dribbble, and Upwork into a cohesive platform. We specialize in creating unique solutions that combine the best of existing platforms.