HelloWallet
Helping anyone get started with crypto
--
This project was part of a studio course. I had access to teachers for project tutoring and different workshop spaces.
Time: 3 months (Jan — Apr 2022)
Team: None, workshop masters and course teachers for assistance
Tools: FigJam, Figma, Fusion 360, hot wire cutter, laser cutter
Role: Research, design thinking, visual design, content strategy, digital and physical prototyping
Problem
Crypto is technical, complex and dominated by risk averse young users with an accumulation of prerequisite knowledge.
There is a lack of guidance for initial, non-technical users which creates a generational disconnect in financial literacy, which is the foundation of modern financial opportunities.
Solution
I created a web based onboarding guide to use the Kovan test network as a risk free learning environment. This was also supported by educational content curation for crypto.
I also paired the digital experience with physical prototypes to introduce users to necessary hardware without bigger financial commitment.
Key learnings
- Designing and copywriting for trust
- Breaking down a complex problem
- Connecting digital and physical experiences
Research
Besides desk research to understand the field (interesting podcast episode: Designing Dapps with great user experiences), I interviewed a backend engineer at a DeFi exchange about technical restrictions of the Kovan test network.
I also talked to target users: non-technical, mostly middle aged with no prior use of cryptocurrencies. This especially helped me understand their more emotional perspective.
Key insights
From my user interviews I found out that they didn’t know what to expect or where to start. They were also aware of financial risks.
Using my main insights, I established design values I referenced throughout my design process.
- Trust — establishing a safe learning environment for better outcomes
- Financial literacy — helping users understand crypto better to eventually confidently make their own decisions
- Intuitive complexity — breaking down the big topic without removing its necessary complexity
Project breakdown
It was very important to me to create a cohesive project and consider the intersection of digital and physical experiences.
Each of these elements has a specific purpose that contributes to the entire experience.
- Product design — actual step-by-step crypto/Kovan onboarding guide
- Marketing design — working around negative connotations and highlighting the opportunities of understanding crypto
- Educational design — guiding user how to get started while letting them work at their own pace and within specific interests
- Industrial design — helping users understand crypto hardware (hardware wallet and cold storage backup) without spending a lot of money upfront
To simplify this project, I will be focusing on the onboarding guide (product design).
User flow
I created an extensive user flow which included channels, user’s emotions and context. This helped to be aware of my progress and the user’s experience.
Based on this strucutre, I created wireframes and started experimenting with visuals and interactions that would positively support the experience.
I really focused on the design values by creating an intentional, step-by-step learning environment.
Content strategy
Since I’m not a crypto expert, I focused on curating content (e.g. from Coinbase) and reformatting it into a more intuitive learning experience.
While I was finalizing the designs, I also adjusted copy based on the project’s design values. This slowed down the actual design quite a bit but was crucial for a cohesive outcome.
Prototyping
I created a low-fidelity prototype to give a better overview of the product and interactions. I wanted to make it more responsive and showcase advanced interactions but couldn’t make it within the very tight deadline.
Figma prototype
Further development
Since this was a design-focussed project there is no implementation as of now. I also didn’t have enough time to usertest due to tight deadlines.
I’d love to continue with this project but only see value in it if I can collaborate with someone who can build it.
Measuring success
By adding a feedback loop I could research how user’s attitude towards crypto has changed after using the product.
- How many users actually proceed to use crypto?
- Do they feel more informed and educated?
To gain a deeper understanding of how the product is used, it’d be very interesting to observe how users go through the flow — especially since digesting educational content can take some time.
