Before I became the proud and most passionate dog mom to my two-year-old doggo Blink, I was already working on tlappka. Before him, I had a hamster named Elon - yes, after Elon Musk. But, well... let’s just say I wouldn’t name him that today.
tlappka is an app that lets pet owners chat with veterinarians anytime, anywhere - sharing photos, videos, and documents so vets can give tailored advice without the usual guesswork. Founded by passionate pet lovers Michal Kardaš, Pavlína Rochová, and Zdeněk Topič, tlappka was born from a simple question: how do we make vet care easier for both pets and humans?
As the lead designer on this project, I was responsible for UX, UI, branding, Webflow web development and user testing to craft a smooth and friendly experience for everyone involved.
Both vets and pet parents were feeling the pinch. Vets were overwhelmed by countless emergency calls (many about the things that weren’t urgent), while pet owners faced the anxiety of caring for their furry friends, especially new pet parents.
The founders summed it up perfectly:
“How can we help pets get the care they deserve without turning every cough or sniffle into a stressful trip to the vet? And how do we free vets from answering a million unpaid calls so they can focus on what really matters?”
The need for quick, reliable advice that doesn’t wear out either side was clear.
We dove into understanding what pet owners really needed - and what made vets sigh. New pet parents tend to worry about every sneeze or tail wag, while seasoned owners with outdoor dogs might only call for the serious stuff.
If your dog sleeps in your bed, you’re probably calling us five times a month. If your dog’s outside in the yard, you might reach out once a year, and only if it’s important. tlappka’s designed for both - but especially for those who need a little extra peace of mind.
We also mapped the pet ownership journey, from the “I’m thinking about getting a pet” phase through to the bittersweet goodbyes, identifying how tlappka could help every step of the way.
Starting with a simple MVP featuring text Q&A with one vet, the app has evolved into a nearly real-time chat and video consultation platform.
We ran workshops using “How Might We” brainstorming techniques to come up with useful features like breed- and season-specific reminders - so pet parents never miss a deworming or vaccine, even if they forget the date (which, let’s be honest, happens).
My design process leaned on colored low-fidelity wireframes that we refined rapidly, turning them into interactive prototypes to test with users.
We conduct user tests regularly, with 5 to 10 sessions every six to twelve months. Participants explore live Figma prototypes, answer questions, and help us prioritize features.
Thanks to this feedback loop, we introduced in-app reminders, simplified chat flows, and made sure the app balanced user needs with vets’ workload.
And the tlappka secret? Everyone on the team loves pets. We’re building this app for ourselves, as much as for anyone else.
I’m currently available for full-time roles or positions offering a 4-day workweek.
