xTTT

xTTT is an automated booking platform designed to remove the manual work tattoo artists face when scheduling appointments. Most tattooers manage bookings through direct messages, answering the same questions repeatedly, checking availability manually, and confirming appointments one by one. This process is time-consuming, leads to missed bookings, and creates friction for both artists and clients.

The goal of the project was to design a system that fully automates the booking process, allowing clients to book appointments independently while giving artists full control over their schedule. The platform needed to reduce communication, prevent no-shows, and improve the overall booking experience without adding complexity.

I worked on the product from concept to working prototype, defining the core idea, conducting research with tattoo artists, designing the user flows, and iterating on the solution based on continuous feedback. The focus was on solving real operational problems rather than adding generic booking features.

Through interviews with tattoo artists, several key patterns emerged. Artists spend hours each week replying to repetitive booking messages. Deposits are essential to avoid no-shows, but are often handled manually. Managing availability is especially difficult during guest spots or limited-time sessions. Existing booking tools are either too generic or too rigid for tattoo workflows.

Based on these insights, the solution was shaped around a fully automated flow. Artists define their availability, which is shown to clients in real time. Clients select a time slot, confirm the booking by paying a deposit through Stripe, and receive instant confirmation. All bookings automatically synchronize with the artist's calendar, eliminating conflicts. The system also supports guest spot bookings, allowing artists to easily manage temporary availability in other studios.

The result is a booking process that happens without any back-and-forth messaging. Artists save significant time, reduce unconfirmed appointments, and gain clearer control over their schedules. Clients benefit from a faster, more transparent booking experience with immediate confirmation.

Early testing showed that automation significantly reduced booking-related communication and improved the reliability of appointments. Artists responded positively to the simplicity of the system and the ability to secure bookings through deposits without manual effort.

This project reinforced the value of designing automation around repetitive tasks, using payments as commitment mechanisms, and keeping feature sets narrow and focused. Building for independent creators requires flexibility, but clarity and simplicity matter more than configurability.