Bridging Accessibility and Tech Edge in Crypto App Design
Overview
As Steve Jobs wisely noted,
Technology alone is not enough. It’s technology married with the liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields the results that make our hearts sing.
I aimed to bring this philosophy into the realm of blockchain technology, and, to be specific, its key use in cryptocurrency.
My goal for this 5-day project was to design an interface that demystifies cryptocurrency trading and makes it approachable for everyone.
My contribution
UX design UI design
The team
1 × product designer (Me!)
Tools used
Figma Jitter
Year
2023
🔍Problem
In crafting the interfaces for crypto apps, there’s a tendency to lean towards a cyberpunk or futuristic aesthetic, characterized by bold combinations like black and white as well as green and purple.
This aesthetic posed a potential challenge. While visually striking and aligned with the tech theme, it risked alienating a significant user base. This could potentially alienate users who find such designs complex or intimidating, especially for individuals who are new to the world of cryptocurrency.
My take on this was that this exclusivity may hinder the broader adoption of crypto services. The digital world we were crafting needed to be a welcoming space, not an imposing fortress.
Goal: An Approachable Crypto Interface
The primary focus was on developing an approachable and intuitive UI for a mobile crypto trading app, especially tailored for beginners who are new to the crypto scene.
💡Outcome
This outcome represents not just a visual design but also a fresh narrative on cryptocurrency accessibility. The chosen hues, selected for their balance, warmth, and ease on the eyes, demystify the crypto realm and make it truly welcoming for users of all backgrounds.
🧩My Process
1️⃣ Choosing a colour palette.
I’ve always considered using blue as the dominant colour. Blue is perceived as a symbol of stability and reliability, making it suitable for most fintech products. The goal is to offer beginners a sense of security and dependability through its visual experience. Most importantly, it's one of the most-liked colours.
I decided to go with blue, but not just blue. While designing with a monochrome palette is a safe choice, it can often result in a bland, boring, and difficult-to-read design. For experimental reasons, I also opted for beige as another primary colour to provide a slightly contrasting look to the overall design while maintaining a warm and inviting environment. This addition of beige should give the overall design some punch, yet it won't be as overwhelming as the intimidating tones of traditional crypto aesthetics.
2️⃣ Choosing a typography.
Choosing the right typography was crucial, with the selected font needing to strike a delicate balance between creating an inviting atmosphere and embracing futuristic aesthetics without causing confusion for users.
Through careful exploration, Space Grotesk surfaced as the font that aligned nicely with this vision. As a sans-serif typeface, it emitted a futuristic vibe while maintaining readability, catering to the requirements of beginners and novice users. This ensured that information could be easily absorbed without compromising on style. The font’s simplicity appealed to the tech-savvy audience while serving as a friendly introduction for individuals stepping into the crypto space for the first time.
3️⃣ Choosing an icon set.
I chose BoxIcons from boxicons.com with the aim of representing simplicity, minimalism, and modesty. For thematic icons, including deposit and withdraw, I created them myself since there weren’t suitable ones in the original icon set.
4️⃣ Design process
This section is currently a work-in-progress. Contact me or stay tuned!
💭 Thoughts: Empower Novices for Crypto Democratisation
The design journey wasn't just about pixels and codes; it was about breaking barriers. In reshaping the visual narrative of crypto apps, I shared my perspective on the imperative shift in design philosophy—a pivot towards a more inclusive and user-friendly crypto app interface that upholds the strides in democratizing the crypto space.
In the continually shifting terrain of crypto, envision a future where this transformative technology is not confined to the tech-savvy elite but embraces everyone. This future is shaped by a design ethos that dismantles barriers, invites all into the fold, and makes crypto accessible to a broader audience.