A Community for Creators and Freedom of Expression
Empowering Creators and Artists Through Decentralized Innovation
Overview
In the ever-evolving world of social media, where centralized platforms hold immense power over user expression and content, Beaker emerged as a beacon of hope for artists and creators seeking a platform that prioritizes freedom of expression and decentralized governance. Beaker’s vision was to establish a vibrant community on the blockchain, a technology that aligns with their core values of censorship resistance and user empowerment.
The Challenge
Beaker’s commitment to decentralisation presented a unique challenge: how to balance decentralisation with user friendliness and create a user experience that seamlessly integrates blockchain technology without overwhelming users unfamiliar with cryptocurrencies. While only 4.2% of the global population actively uses blockchain payment technology, Beaker’s target audience, comprising artists, creators, and their supporters, demonstrated a higher familiarity with crypto.
UX Process
The first step was to understand the community’s needs. Through extensive UX research, including interviews with thousands of community members via a Telegram bot, it became evident that 85% of the 214 users already possessed crypto wallets and were comfortable making crypto transactions on other services. This insight shifted the focus from onboarding users to crypto to highlighting Beaker’s unique value proposition as a decentralized marketplace for creative works.
To gain a deeper understanding of Beaker’s target audience, a series of user personas were developed. These personas provided a detailed picture of the individuals Beaker sought to attract – a diverse group united by their passion for creativity, innovation, and financial independence.
The Solution
Inspired by the intuitiveness of popular social networks like Twitter and Instagram, Beaker’s user experience was designed to strike a balance between familiarity and distinctiveness. Low-fidelity wireframes were created, utilizing established social network design patterns while incorporating Beaker’s unique brand identity.
The color palette for Beaker’s UI was carefully chosen to reflect the platform’s anti-censorship ethos. The dark theme and primary brand color, purple, were selected to convey a sense of rebellion and individuality. Purple’s historical significance as a symbol of defiance against authority resonated with Beaker’s core values.
Beaker’s UX/UI design process exemplified the importance of understanding the user community and aligning design decisions with the platform’s core values. By embracing decentralization and prioritizing freedom of expression, Beaker has created a space where creators and artists can thrive without the fear of censorship or undue influence.