Co-founded and led all design efforts for a mobile-first, multi-platform marketplace that modernized the traditional auction industry, delivering a white-label ecosystem serving both bidders and sellers.
Despite its size, the auction industry was slow to digitize. Many small and mid-size auction houses relied on physical sales, outdated websites, or crowded third-party marketplaces where their brand and customer relationships weakened.
We built native mobile apps, a white-label bidder experience that preserved each brand, a low-latency live bidding room with video, and an admin console for managing sales—all integrated into a cohesive digital ecosystem.
Wider exposure boosted sales by over 30%, thanks to stronger bidding activity both online and on-site.
We delivered branded experiences to hundreds of auction houses, extending the platform internationally as demand grew.
The startup grew into a successful, sustainable company and was ultimately acquired by Auction Technology Group.
User Insights & Proof of Concept
We conducted qualitative research with auction houses and active bidders to understand their workflows and pain points. We also brought an experienced auction house owner in-house as a project manager, giving us direct access to real operational insights throughout the process. Using this input, we built an Android prototype and a lightweight branded web version—our first proof of concept. This early MVP helped validate demand, refine our product direction, secure the funding we needed to scale, and shape the foundation of the full platform we built afterward.
Our Core Value Proposition
- Higher Engagement — Our mobile and web bidding tools increased participation and competition, driving stronger sales results for clients.
- Branded Control — A fully white-label solution gave auction houses their own branded app and web presence instead of being lost on generic marketplaces.
- Global Reach — Bidders worldwide could easily discover, register, and participate, expanding reach without adding operational overhead.
- Real-Time Bidding — Low-latency live auctions with synchronized video let online bidders compete seamlessly with in-room participants.
As a mobile-first company, my task needed to design a versatile app that can easily adapt to different auction verticals, including real estate, wine, automotive, art, antiques & collectibles, machinery & equipment, livestock, charity, and personal property.
Bidding Experience
- Minimizing Friction – Reducing unnecessary steps in the journey so bidders could access catalogs and place bids quickly without feeling overwhelmed.
- Easy Experience – Creating smooth navigation across varied categories so users could discover items effortlessly across every auction vertical.
- Real-Time Awareness – Delivering live updates on bids, pricing, and auction status to keep users fully informed without lag or distraction.
- Clear Call-to-Action – Designing unmistakable bidding actions so users always knew exactly how to place a bid and what to expect next.
- Responsive Layouts – Optimizing the interface across mobile, tablet, and desktop to maintain consistency and confidence on any device.
- Clear Bid States – Defining clear visual states for pending, winning, and outbid bids to make live bidding more engaging and trustworthy.
Live Bidding Room
The challenge was to build an immersive digital bidding room with low-latency video and tools that keep bidders engaged while auction houses manage lots with precision.
Clerking Tool (Auction House)
The clerking tool is the interface with which the auction is run. It was designed in an simple way to accommodate the fast pace of events during a live sale.
Auction Room (Bidders)
Online bidders from anywhere could access the live sale and compete for items through the live bidding room interface.
By opening the physical live auctions to online presence, it created a higher sense of competition and boost sales, while providing immersion to the online bidders thanks to the live video feed feature with a 20ms only latency.
We created different versions of the bidding room, including one tailored to high-end clients.
Powerful Admin Tools
A comprehensive set of admin tools was developed to give auction houses full control over their data and sales process. This included an admin panel for managing sales efficiently, with pre- and post-auction analytics, a comprehensive invoicing system, and performance tracking for seamless financial management.
Tailoring solutions for diverse auction house needs
As Auction Mobility grew, we refined our product offerings to meet the unique needs of various auction houses. We created Core and Premium versions, which offered the same features but differed in design, with Premium focused on high-quality imagery for luxury auction houses. We also developed a specific template for real estate clients to address their unique requirements. Later, we introduced an embedded bid widget, allowing clients to keep bidders on their own sites while seamlessly integrating the auction experience.
Streamlining custom websites and sales support
As demand grew for custom auction house websites (not the bidding platform), I worked closely with the sales team to streamline the process. Initially, I managed website creation manually, but to handle increased demand, I helped redesign the onboarding flow, introducing an onboarding form and pre-recorded tutorial videos. We offered a free website as an incentive for new clients, many of whom had outdated sites. This approach not only improved the process but also helped support the sales team with custom sales comps and ensure clients received modern, functional websites tailored to their brand.
Wearing many hats, I collaborated closely with engineering, product, and business teams, which gave me firsthand insight into not just design but also the financial and strategic aspects of scaling a business. This experience shaped my ability to create user-centric solutions while balancing business growth and technical feasibility.
