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.

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.

• Designing and copywriting for trust

• Breaking down a complex problem

• Connecting digital and physical experiences

Besides desk research to understand the field (interesting podcast episode), 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.

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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.