The work.

Year

2021
-
2021

Industry

Web3 / Cryptocurrency

Role

Designer

Primary Service

Digital product

Additional Services

Digital product
UX/UI design
Strategy
Brand guidelines

Platform

Figma

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Overview.

The Charged Particles team was finalizing a multiyear endeavor to bring Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to market on the Ethereum Blockchain. This groundbreaking concept disrupts traditional financial norms by assigning value to scarce NFTs, encompassing diverse assets such as art, collectibles, virtual real estate, in-game items, and more. To effectively communicate the platform’s innovative nature, we developed a comprehensive visual guideline, a user-friendly website, and a seamless integration with the web-based application catering to the extensive crypto community.

Amidst the growing prominence of NFTs, Charged Particles has chosen to join the rapidly evolving landscape. Notably, this project has been in development since 2019, involving multiple countries and teams of dedicated developers. By prioritizing collaboration with artists and the community, Charged Particles is not only enhancing the complexity of the crypto marketplace but also fostering a sense of unity.

Drawing inspiration from the community’s unwavering passion, Charged Particles has constructed a platform that places a strong emphasis on the individuals involved. This design philosophy not only enhances the user experience but also allows our designers to seamlessly blend their existing design styles with a fusion of high-tech aesthetics and retro elements.

The culmination of this effort is a robust and well-defined brand that directly communicates with the engaged audience, conveying the welcoming nature of the community despite the technical intricacies associated with interest-bearing NFTs and the broader crypto-currency industry.

Design with developers.

To me, collaborating closely with a development team as a designer is always the most advantageous approach. This collaboration facilitates the seamless exchange of design information, ensuring that developers comprehend the intended functionality from the start. Regrettably, there are instances where design teams handoff tasks to developers without adequate communication or comprehension of the design process or the rationale behind specific design decisions. To foster a collaborative and functional design process, regular discussions on progress and the alignment of deliverables are essential.

In my experience with Charged Particles, I had the privilege of working closely with the development team to gain a comprehensive understanding of the project’s processes. Given that this was one of my earlier cryptocurrency projects, I required guidance on the overall workflow. Through collaborative efforts, we were able to refine user experience strategies and enhance the efficiency of the system. I strongly recommend that designers embrace a comfortable working relationship with their developers. This partnership offers mutual learning opportunities and contributes to the creation of more cohesive and successful projects.

Designing for web.

Initially, due to budgetary constraints and regulatory restrictions, Charged Particles opted to construct a web-based dApp (Digital Application) instead of developing its own mobile application for distribution on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. By adopting a responsive web-app design, we ensured that Charged Particles could be accessible to users on any device, regardless of its platform, type, or browser. This innovative approach resulted in an enhanced and expedited user experience. However, we were unaware at the time that Apple would subsequently revise its regulations regarding cryptocurrency and NFTs within its App Store. Had we prioritized mobile app development, this could have posed significant challenges for the company.

By the numbers.

Amidst the volatility of the cryptocurrency-based industry, market fluctuations can cause fluctuations in the overall performance of a product. Charged Particles has disrupted this pattern by adopting a personalized and dedicated approach to the NFT scene. For example, 168 “Protons,” or NFTs minted on Charged Particles, have been sold, with approximately $215,000 in sales for artists on the platform in the first two weeks. Over $15,000 has been “Energized” and deposited into NFTs, generating $1,000s in interest for NFT holders, thereby increasing the value of their initial investment. To date (April 17, 2021), the highest “Energized” NFT has over $15,000 of USDC attached, earning 15% compounded interest.

Progress