mobile app for nft novices
The Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) industry has a huge entry barrier for people who are not familiar with how digital tokens and cryptocurrency work. This school project is an attempt to create a marketplace app for browsing, buying, selling, and minting NFTs for industry newbies.
NFTs are digital assets that represent objects like art, collectibles, and in-game items. They serve as a key concept in the Metaverse ecosystem, allowing people to own virtual goods in the form of real estate, clothing, art, and even boats — all possible through NFT marketplaces.
Alongside my colleague, I conducted research, outlined main user flows, developed brand identity, and co-designed the app’s user interface. The industry research and subsequent user testing of the prototype informed the design decisions.
research & IDeation
Given the complexity of the NFT subject, we decided to focus on outlining the project scope first. We used the "How Might We" framework – a simple yet powerful question-asking technique to identify our research and design challenges.
…create an easy start for novice users?
…instill confidence in the trading process?
…revisualize the concept of NFT discovery?
Kathryn, 27, Curious Novice
“I want to get into the NFT space because I have heard so much about it from others!”
Motivation: Be part of the NFT hype
Pain Point: Industry jargon
Need: Onboarding assistance
George, 25, Advanced NFT User
“I buy and trade NFTs for a number of reasons, but the key ones are fun, investments, and artistic appreciation”
Motivation: Invest and profit
Pain Point: High platform and gas fees
Need: Discovery of NFTs with potential
Lana, 33, Artist / NFT Enthusiast
“I’m thrilled to see artists at the center of this new technology. This could redefine the way we work and sell!”
Motivation: Artistic exposure
Pain Point: Entry barrier into the space
Need: Ability to showcase art
structure & flow
Once we gained an understanding of our target audience, work began on the User Flows.
The focus was on three NFT marketplace flows: minting (publishing a unique digital asset), listing, and buying. The complexity of these transactions required us to do in-depth research into "how things work" in the NFT industry at large.
We had to question every step in the existing marketplace flow examples to ensure that our application offers a more user-friendly and fun experience than competitor apps.
We used the "Crazy 8" method to sketch out the general structure of the screens.
The method requires sketching eight ideas in eight minutes on a three-times folded paper that conveniently imitates the phone screen dimensions. The goal is to push beyond the first idea, generate a variety of solutions, and pick the strongest one.
This creativity-boosting exercise set the foundation for the initial wireframes. We created the architecture and "skeletons" of ~40 screens based on the three user flow diagrams shown above.
visual inspiration
The look & feel of nftkn was inspired by a martian aesthetic. The mysterious planet Mars is envisioned as a potential not-so-far future for the human race, just like the blockchain technology that NFTs are based on.
Blockchain makes it possible for the information to be recorded and distributed, but not edited. In this way, blockchain promises us a world with secure transactions, reduced compliance costs, and faster data transfer processing.
design & features
Tooltips across the app help to bridge knowledge gaps and focus on the fun part of the NFT instead of being set back by its complexity and jargon.
The nftkn app makes it easy to create NFTs. There are five steps to add a token to the marketplace, whether it is an image, video, sound, or even domain.
The swiping gallery allows to focus on one token at a time instead of scrolling through an overwhelming interface with dozens of tokens.