Nerd Crawler — Livestream Feature

ROLE
Product UX/UI Design Lead

The Challenge

Artists, creators, and sellers struggle with monetization, discovery, and retention. Buyers want to purchase unique collectibles but often don’t know where to go. While Nerd Crawler already provided auctions and notifications, it lacked a real-time selling experience that enabled interactive engagement and impulse purchases.

Research & Insights

We conducted a survey with 65 respondents (78% collectors, 22% sellers) to understand user pain points:

Collectors’ Concerns

• 80% would be disappointed if they lost access to Nerd Crawler.

• Desired real-time engagement with sellers.

• Wanted better notifications and live previews before making a purchase.

Sellers’ Concerns

• 100% would be disappointed without Nerd Crawler.

• Needed better ways to engage buyers and boost sales.

• Requested auction customization and enhanced marketing tools.

Competitive Landscape: WhatNot

To better understand the market, we analyzed WhatNot, a leading player in the livestream shopping space.

WhatNot Strengths

• High engagement through live sales and gamification.

• Strong community-driven marketplace.

WhatNot Weaknesses

• Limited product categories.

• Lacks customization for art and collectibles.

This revealed an opportunity for Nerd Crawler to provide a more tailored experience for art collectors, integrating artist engagement and exclusive item drops.

WhatNot vs. Nerd Crawler: Livestream Auction Experience

This comparison highlights key differences between WhatNot (left) and Nerd Crawler (right) in livestream auction design and user experience.

Key Differences:

• Platform Focus: WhatNot is mobile-first, while Nerd Crawler is desktop-focused for better multitasking and visibility.

• Product Browsing: Nerd Crawler features a dedicated sidebar for browsing items without leaving the livestream.

• Auction Controls: Nerd Crawler offers push-to-stream, fixed-price, and offer-based purchases, whereas WhatNot primarily supports live-only purchases.

• Information Clarity: Prices, bid timers, and quantity are more prominently displayed on Nerd Crawler for easier decision-making.

• User Engagement: Both platforms support live chat, but Nerd Crawler includes an activity log to track bidding and purchases.

Nerd Crawler optimizes discoverability, auction management, and user control in a desktop-friendly environment tailored for collectors and sellers.

Design Goals

1. Enhance real-time engagement between sellers and collectors.

2. Increase auction participation through interactive livestreams.

3. Provide seamless UI/UX across desktop and mobile.

4. Integrate social features such as comments, live bidding, and reactions.

Design Process

Wireframing & User Flows

To create a seamless experience, I mapped out the livestream auction process from event creation to final purchase. The design prioritized ease of navigation, engaging interactions, and an efficient bidding process.

Wireframe screenshots can be placed here.

UI Design & Prototyping

• Developed high-fidelity UI in Figma for both desktop and mobile.

• Applied a minimalist, high-contrast design for clarity and ease of use.

• Incorporated real-time animations for bidding and purchase confirmations.

Final UI mockups can be placed here.

Testing & Iteration

We conducted usability tests with collectors and sellers, leading to the following improvements:

• Optimized the bidding process for speed and clarity.

• Improved notifications and reminders for upcoming livestreams.

• Enhanced mobile responsiveness to ensure a consistent experience across devices.

Livestream Screen Breakdown

Each component of the livestream screen was designed to enhance usability and engagement.

Purchase Success Modal

• Displays a confirmation message when a buyer completes a purchase.

• Provides immediate feedback to reassure users.

Auction Win Modal

• Notifies users when they win an auction.

• Offers next steps for payment and item tracking.

Sold Out Items Box

• Located in the top right corner for quick visibility.

• Prevents users from bidding on unavailable items.

Auction Over Box

• Clearly indicates when an auction has ended.

• Helps users distinguish between active and closed auctions.

Livestream Index Page

• Functions as the hub for all live auctions.

• Inspired by Twitch’s homepage for a familiar user experience.

Edit Modal for Listings

• Allows sellers to modify listings in real-time.

• Based on WhatNot’s streamlined editing interface.

Create New Listing Flow

• Simplifies the auction creation process for sellers.

• Provides clear steps for adding items to a live auction.

Mockup screenshots of each feature can be placed here.

Solution: NC Live

The Livestream Feature allows sellers to:

• Host real-time auctions with live video and chat.

• Engage buyers with instant Q&A and showcase previews.

• Offer exclusive drops and limited-time discounts.

• Track bids, purchases, and engagement metrics seamlessly.

For buyers, NC Live enables:

• Instant bidding on live auctions.

• Real-time interactions with sellers.

• Personalized recommendations based on past engagement.

• Notifications when their favorite artists go live.

Impact

The introduction of livestream auctions led to significant improvements:

• Increased Engagement — Interactive experiences boosted user retention.

• Higher Sales Activity — Live auctions created urgency and increased bid participation.

• Stronger Community — Direct interactions between sellers and buyers built trust and loyalty.

Mockup screenshots of final results and engagement improvements can be placed here.

Key Takeaways

• User-driven insights shape design — Collectors and sellers wanted more engagement, and live auctions delivered that experience.

• Real-time interaction drives higher bids — The urgency of live bidding increased overall sales volume.

• Seamless UX enhances trust — Buyers and sellers benefited from clear auction flows, transparent pricing, and instant notifications.

• Marketplace differentiation is crucial — Unlike WhatNot, Nerd Crawler’s specialized approach for art and collectibles offers a more curated, community-driven experience.

Next Steps

To further refine the feature, we are exploring:

• Gamification features such as leaderboards and loyalty rewards.

• Expanded social integrations with platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

• AI-powered recommendations for personalized item suggestions.

The Livestream Feature enhances the Nerd Crawler experience by merging real-time interaction with marketplace functionality, solidifying its position as a leader in social commerce for artists and collectors.