Moon - NFT App
Client
The client is Moon, a new up and coming startup with the goal of revolutionizing the NFT marketplace business with a design-first approach and a deeply curated experience for the users.
What
Establish visual language of the new NFT marketplace app. Lock visual aesthetic and scale design across multiple screens, based on wireframes and user flow provided by client. Build a UI Library and create a functional prototype.
Why
The idea is not to encompass the entire NFT market. But create an app that is tailored a niche market app. Currently there are not a lot of apps for specific types of NFT. Enthusiasts looking for a specific visual aesthetic have to filter through a sea of NFTs that do not appeal to their taste. This app will streamline the process and make the NFT search more enjoyable for niche collectors.
Audience
People that embrace and follow the world of NFT and digital art. Tech savvy people that know their way around the online world and the world of crypto and NFT. They have a strong sense for visual aesthetic and art, and they value curated beautiful digital experiences as much as the digital art that they create, buy and/or sell.
How
Explore two visual directions for these subsets. Start with moodboards and create splash and home screens for each direction. Get feedback and iterate on one style. Then refine, polish and scale design, creating UI library and prototype.
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Moodboard & Visual Direction 1 - Futuristic
To follow the glowing neon gradient heavy trend of futuristic UI, I explored how much neon can be used before it makes the UI illegible. Characteristics are glowing drop shadows, translucent fills. thins lines and dark subtle gradients. I took inspiration from the nft artist 'Psychedelic Neon Cyber Dogs
Moodboard & Visual Direction 2 - Neo Brutalism
For this exploration, I wanted to leave the world of gradients so I delved into the Neo Brutalistic UI design trend. Characteristics are bold and huge typography, vibrant colors, strong contrasts with distinct edges, and solid background textures or patterns. I took inspiration from the nft artist 'Cool Cats'.
Evaluate the Wireframe
Iterate, Refine & Polish
Final Design & UI Library
Try it out - Prototype live here
Takeaways
Through this case study I was able to push the boundaries of a design style. I found that strong UI styles can compete with the NFT artwork as opposed to being a nice backdrop to showcase it.
This design gave the target user a fun place to explore the fun/cartoony NFT subset. The use of bold colors and strong lines on a white background compliments the artwork without being distracting. Solid drop shadows alert the user as to what is clickable and outlined boxes orient on each screen.
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