BitChain - A mobile crypto wallet

The primary objective of this project was to develop a mobile app that serves as an accessible entry point for those new to the world of cryptocurrency.

As this project was a case study, I was responsible for every aspect of it. In my role as the Product Designer, I conducted user research based on publicly available data and ensured that the app aligned with the hypothetical company's goals and branding guidelines. Given the nature of the project, understanding the target audience was crucial.

The goal of this project was to create a mobile experience that offers easy access to the crypto market for both beginners and advanced users. My aim was to address common issues users face with existing mobile crypto-wallets, such as complex terminology and difficult navigation.

Understanding and visualizing the main audience is vital for any product. In this case, the primary audience consists of individuals with little to no experience in cryptocurrency, often younger users. Complex terminology, requiring deep analysis of coins, and overly technical designs could alienate these users. Whether they are investing for retirement or simply gambling $50 on a coin, making the process easy and accessible is crucial.

To ensure the design met the needs of the target audience, I created two detailed User Personas based on extensive research. These personas effectively represent the target audience in a simplified yet effective manner.

Occupation: Accountant

Location: Salt Lake City, USA

Age: 33

Josh Dixon, a 33-year-old accountant, is interested in investing in cryptocurrencies. He is motivated to excel in his profession and is known for his precision. At work, he has heard colleagues discuss cryptocurrency, often in a negative light, particularly regarding losses. Despite this, Josh is cautiously considering investing in cryptocurrency.

Concerned about his retirement plans, Josh has recently become more aware of cryptocurrency. He recognizes the risks but also sees potential opportunities to improve his financial situation. This motivates him to learn more about crypto and determine if it’s a suitable investment for him.

Josh expects any crypto wallet to prioritize security and privacy while also making it easy to purchase and sell cryptocurrencies. Given his limited knowledge of the topic, he hopes the app avoids complex terminology and offers explanations of basic concepts.

Josh has concerns about privacy and security, particularly regarding the potential loss of access to wallets due to lost private keys. He has explored several crypto platforms but has often felt confused by complex charts and terminology, which has discouraged him from proceeding further.

Occupation: Software Developer

Location: New York City, USA

Age: 26

Jake Smith is a 26-year-old software developer from New York City who has been interested in cryptocurrencies for about two years. He works for a company that provides a platform to analyze investment portfolios. Seeing the growing interest in cryptocurrencies, Jake became intrigued. He has used multiple crypto wallets before but has been dissatisfied with difficult user interfaces and limited privacy options.

Jake views some cryptocurrencies as reasonable investments and others as more of a fun gamble. He hopes to build wealth and potentially achieve significant profits by trading cryptocurrencies. He enjoys trading crypto during breaks, at home, or on the train, making a simple, quick, and easily navigable interface a top priority.

Jake wants a secure wallet without overbearing security measures. He knows how to handle security on his own but hopes the app offers additional features like Face ID that are quick and seamless. He also values the ability to control transaction fees, as he has a good sense of what the appropriate fee should be.

Jake has been frustrated by outdated security measures in other apps, which can be time-consuming. He is not a fan of mandatory two-factor authentication and prefers quick, seamless identity verification methods like Fingerprint or Face ID. Jake has also been annoyed by overly complex interfaces in other mobile crypto wallets and prefers a more straightforward and easily navigable design.

When it comes to mobile crypto wallets, users often have fears and concerns before making major commitments. Many users who download a crypto app for the first time struggle with basic terminology and unique features such as transaction fees. This insight led me to understand that new users often need additional assistance in understanding the functionality of a crypto wallet.

The research phase provided several key insights. The average new user of mobile crypto wallets requires guidance on trading crypto and understanding the associated terminology. This necessitates a design that focuses on delivering a great experience for beginners. It’s also important to ensure users fully understand the risks associated with cryptocurrencies to enhance their financial safety and reduce frustration in the event of losses.

Before ideating any designs, I always start by laying out the general information structure. This helps visualize the app's structure, understand how users will interact with it, and ensure all vital functionalities are easily accessible. I use this as a general direction rather than a strict blueprint, allowing for some flexibility in the final design.

Based on the research, I developed a concept that addresses users' issues and complaints with similar products. A key element of this app is the deep integration of learning resources, categorized into beginner, intermediate, and expert levels. This ensures users of all experience levels can learn more about crypto and make informed decisions. While this approach makes crypto more accessible to less experienced users, I avoided an overly playful design to maintain the seriousness of financial risks associated with crypto.

With the concept in place, I moved into the design phase. Typically, I start with sketches of the user interface, but in this case, I already had a clear vision of how I wanted certain elements to look. So, I proceeded directly to creating wireframes. A wireframe is a low-detail design that outlines the essential components' layout. While the final design may differ, the wireframe serves as an effective blueprint.

A good onboarding experience can significantly enhance the user’s perception of a product, make a great first impression, and guide users on how to properly use the app. For a crypto wallet, it’s crucial to immediately reassure users that the app prioritizes their safety while also educating them on the financial risks of crypto. A key decision I made was to allow new users to skip the onboarding and sign-up process to immediately explore the app. This design choice can increase user retention by allowing users to quickly determine if the app meets their needs before committing to the sign-up and KYC process.

Designing the main screens of the app is always an interesting challenge. The home screen can make or break an application as it needs to present vital information and enable easy navigation. For this project, I designed a powerful dashboard with a quick menu that provides easy access to essential functionalities like buying or sending crypto, or contacting support. Important news relevant to the user will also be displayed on the dashboard. Users can easily review their portfolio, check their watchlist, or discover new coins by switching tabs.

The process of starting a crypto purchase should be easy and transparent. Based on my research, a common complaint about existing mobile crypto wallets was the inability to set transaction fees. Many apps offer preset fees that are often too high or too low. Allowing users to choose their own transaction fees and informing them about the expected transaction time ensures they feel in control and not dictated by the app.

Given BitChain’s focus on beginners, including a dedicated educational section was an obvious decision. This section serves as a hub for various useful resources that users might need on their crypto journey. The app suggests articles based on factors such as the user’s self-reported experience level. The goal was to design this system as a quick reference encyclopedia rather than a tutorial system.

I chose a dark theme for the app to reduce eye strain during extended use. The primary color is purple, which conveys a sense of luxury, reliability, and trustworthiness—key attributes of this product. The overall harmonious color palette complements the dark theme and reflects the innovative technology behind the app.