IOS App for Content Creator Revenue – Stella Web3

TLDR Summary

• Developed a design system with icons, fonts, and patterns in Figma.

• Designed and prototyped an iOS app in Figma.

• Worked in Agile sprints to deliver a functional proof of concept.

Accomplishments

• Delivered a 5-minute stakeholder presentation showcasing the concept.

• Designed and delivered a polished MVP within the project timeline.

Deliverables

Video Demo

Discovery

Design Challenge

With content creators increasingly seeking monetization avenues beyond traditional brand sponsorships, the goal was to design a platform that empowers creators to tap into the growing potential of NFTs as a revenue stream. The focus was on creating a seamless and intuitive user experience that made the process of minting, selling, and trading NFTs accessible to creators at all levels. By prioritizing ease of use and eliminating technical barriers, the platform aimed to open up new possibilities for creators to generate income while maintaining full control over their digital assets and intellectual property.

Design Process

Applied a Lean Design approach with iterative one-week sprints to prioritize high-impact features and ensure rapid prototyping. This method allowed for continuous feedback loops, enabling quick adjustments based on user input and stakeholder needs. By focusing on delivering value early and often, we were able to refine the platform in real time, ensuring that each sprint moved us closer to a solution that truly resonated with our target users while minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency in the design process.

User Research

Conducted in-depth interviews with Gen Z college students to uncover key behaviors, motivations, and pain points within the creator economy. These insights provided a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by emerging content creators, from navigating monetization options to managing personal brand identity. By tapping directly into the perspectives of this demographic, we were able to identify unmet needs and design a solution that aligned with their preferences, ultimately creating a platform that is both relevant and valuable to the next generation of digital creators.

User Personas

Developed detailed user personas, including Emma and Rakeem, as key archetypes to align design decisions with the specific needs and behaviors of the target audience. These personas were based on insights gathered from user research, allowing us to humanize the data and better understand the motivations, challenges, and preferences of our users. By incorporating Emma and Rakeem into the design process, we ensured that each design decision was rooted in real-world user experiences, helping to create a more intuitive and personalized platform that resonated deeply with our audience.

Feedback from users indicated that Emma and Rakeem were the most relatable personas, resonating strongly with the target audience due to their authenticity and alignment with user needs. Their characteristics and behaviors effectively captured the essence of our user base, allowing us to refine the overall experience and ensure a deeper connection with our audience.

Competitive Analysis

I conducted a competitive analysis by benchmarking existing platforms like Twitch and Patreon, focusing on their user experience strengths and limitations. This deep dive revealed notable gaps in how these platforms support creator monetization and fan engagement, particularly in their inability to leverage emerging Web3 technologies. For instance, while Twitch excels in live-streaming interactivity and Patreon provides robust membership tiers, neither integrates blockchain capabilities that allow for NFT-driven monetization or personalized fan privileges. These insights informed our design strategy, highlighting opportunities to differentiate the app by creating an intuitive, Web3-powered solution that bridges the gap between creators and their audiences. By identifying these pain points and untapped potential, I was able to position our app as a forward-thinking alternative in the creator economy.

User Stories

Using the personas of Emma and Rakeem as key representatives of the target audience, I outlined detailed pain point scenarios to better understand their needs and frustrations. Emma, a college student and aspiring content creator, often struggled to find platforms that balanced monetization opportunities with ease of use. Rakeem, a fan and casual NFT collector, desired a simple way to engage with creators without being overwhelmed by technical jargon. These scenarios provided a clear lens through which to prioritize features and informed the development of user flows that addressed their unique challenges. By grounding the design process in these personas, I ensured that the app’s functionality and interface remained focused on solving real-world problems while creating a seamless and rewarding user experience for both creators and fans.

Business Model

Creator Coin Mechanism

Product

Wireframes
These initial designs served as a testing ground to quickly identify pain points and iterate on functionality. As the project progressed, I transitioned to high-fidelity interactive prototypes in Figma, where I focused on refining both usability and visual hierarchy to create a seamless and intuitive user experience. Each iteration was informed by user feedback and usability testing, ensuring that every element—from button placement to typography—contributed to a cohesive and polished interface.

Usability Feedback

Through iterative usability testing, I validated and refined the user journey, uncovering critical insights to enhance the experience. These included simplifying blockchain terminology to make Web3 concepts more accessible, streamlining the purchasing flow for creator coins to reduce friction, and incorporating social media integration features to boost user engagement and shareability.

Feedback Takeaways

1. Clarify terminology.

2. Streamline user flow for purchasing creator coins.

3. Optimize interface for displaying creators.

4. Consider incorporating social media sharing features.

Visual Value Proposition

My team and I developed single-slide value proposition presentations (VVPs) to explore and refine the app's communication style. These concise slides distilled key aspects of the platform’s purpose, benefits, and user experience into visually compelling narratives. Each VVP was designed to test different approaches to messaging, visual tone, and branding, allowing us to gauge alignment with stakeholder preferences. Through this process, we discovered that a bold, modern aesthetic paired with clear, action-driven messaging resonated most strongly. This exercise not only clarified the app’s identity but also ensured that our design decisions aligned with the target audience’s expectations and the project’s overarching goals.

After gathering input from stakeholders, we decided to prioritize darker color themes, as they were favored for their sleek, modern aesthetic and ability to enhance visual clarity in low-light environments.

Design System

I led the development of a custom design system in Figma, carefully selecting Epilogue and Open Sans typefaces to ensure readability and consistency across platforms. The decision to use purple as the primary color came after a team discussion, where we aligned on its ability to convey creativity and trust—key aspects of our brand identity. The team fully supported the choice, and the resulting design system was implemented to enhance both the visual appeal and the user experience, ensuring a seamless and accessible interface across all touchpoints.

Reflection

Looking ahead, I’m genuinely excited to continue refining my skills in building design systems and collaborating with cross-functional teams to create cohesive, user-centered experiences. My passion lies in developing intuitive, visually engaging interfaces that not only meet user needs but also drive meaningful business outcomes. I’m eager to leverage my design expertise to craft solutions that push boundaries and incorporate the latest industry trends, while also maintaining a focus on accessibility and inclusivity. By working closely with other designers, I aim to foster a collaborative environment where innovative ideas flourish, ensuring that every project not only delivers a seamless user experience but also stands out in today’s competitive landscape.

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