A simple, human-centered platform that lets people tip, rate, and appreciate workers quickly and securely.

Tiply makes it easy for people to show appreciation through quick ratings, tips, and feedback. With a simple QR scan, users can recognize the workers who make their day better, while workers receive real-time tips and feedback with transparency and trust.

01. The Problem

In a world moving away from cash, showing appreciation for service workers has become less frequent.
Customers want to say thank you, but there is no easy, consistent way to do it. Workers often miss out on recognition that could truly motivate them. So, in a way I guess we could frame the question as…

How might we make it simple, secure, and meaningful for people to reward the workers who make our everyday life smoother?

02. Research & Insights

The goal of this phase was to understand how people currently express appreciation for service workers, the barriers they face in doing so, and how workers perceive tips, ratings, and feedback in a digital-first society.

The aim was not just to study tipping, but to uncover the emotional and behavioral patterns behind recognition, trust, and gratitude.

Key Findings

Insights

• There’s a gap between appreciation intent and action. Customers want to recognize good service, but friction stops them.

• Workers value acknowledgment and fairness the same as , if not more than, just the money.

• The opportunity lies in creating a trust-driven ecosystem that combines feedback, transparency, and payment simplicity.

03. Define

People want to share feedback and appreciation with the workers who make their day better, but most existing systems are inconvenient, disconnected, or impersonal. There’s a lack of trust, clarity, and ownership in how recognition is given and received. The challenge is to design an effortless and trustworthy way for people to reward service workers, while giving workers transparency, pride, and control over the appreciation they earn.

04. The Solution

Tiply introduces a seamless, two-sided app experience that connects everyday people with the workers who make their day better.
Through a simple QR scan and quick verification, users can rate, tip, and share feedback instantly, while workers receive secure, verified recognition in real time.
Every interaction is designed to feel personal, transparent, and effortless, turning small moments of appreciation into lasting impact.

Tipper - Core Flow

01 Scan

Start by scanning the worker’s QR code
Tippers simply point their camera at the QR code displayed by the worker. The scan instantly brings up the worker’s profile, creating a fast and effortless way to begin the process of showing appreciation.

02 Verify

Confirm it’s the right person before sending your tip or review
Once scanned, the worker’s verified profile appears. The tipper enters a short code provided by the worker, ensuring that every transaction goes directly to the right person. This two-step verification builds trust and eliminates fraud or QR misuse.

03 Support

Choose how you want to show appreciation
After verification, the tipper selects between sending a tip or leaving a review. The process is simple, transparent, and takes less than 30 seconds. Every gesture of appreciation is recorded and shared securely.

Tippee - Core Flow

01 Show QR

Display your personal QR code to receive tips or ratings
Each worker has a unique, verified QR code that links directly to their profile. This code can be shown on their phone, printed badge, or workspace for easy scanning.

02 Share Code

Give the customer your verification code for added security
After their QR is scanned, workers share a 4-digit verification code to confirm it’s really them. This feature prevents fake profiles or reused QR codes, ensuring all transactions remain secure and traceable.

03 Receive

Get notified instantly when someone supports you
Once the tip or review is complete, the worker receives real-time confirmation. The amount or feedback appears directly in their balance and profile, giving them immediate visibility and motivation.

Additional UIs

Usability Considerations

To make Tiply accessible to everyone, I designed the experience to go beyond the mobile app.
Not every user will have Tiply installed, so the goal was to ensure the same smooth, secure flow could work seamlessly across different entry points.

By utilizing a lightweight web version and iOS App Clips, users can still scan a QR, verify a worker, and complete a tip or rating without friction. This approach removes barriers to entry while keeping the experience familiar, fast, and safe.

These adaptations focused on usability and reach, helping first-time users engage instantly, while maintaining a consistent look, feel, and trust level across all platforms.

05. Reflection & Future Steps

Designing Tiply reinforced the importance of creating digital experiences that feel human at their core. The challenge wasn’t just about enabling tipping, it was about building trust, emotion, and fairness into an everyday interaction.
Balancing speed, transparency, and empathy became the foundation of the experience. Every small decision, from the tone of the microcopy to the use of verification codes, aimed to make digital appreciation feel as personal as a thank-you in person.

Key Learnings

• Simplicity wins. The fewer steps a user takes, the more likely they are to complete the action.

• Trust needs to be visible. Verification, confirmation messages, and clear visuals directly influence user confidence.

• Emotional UX matters. Kind, encouraging language helps transform transactions into meaningful exchanges.

Future Steps (Ahead of MVP)

Introduce gamification and a reward-based experience to strengthen long-term engagement:

• For Tippers: Achievement tiers like Bronze, Silver, Gold that unlock exclusive offers or discounts.

• For Workers: Recognition badges and milestones for consistent high ratings or positive feedback.
  This creates a sense of progression and recognition for both sides, turning everyday appreciation into an ongoing relationship.

Collaborate with local brands, cafes, and retailers to offer real-world perks.

• Frequent tippers can unlock brand discounts.

• Workers with outstanding feedback can redeem vouchers or offers.
  This ecosystem ties community goodwill with tangible incentives, creating value beyond the transaction.