Designing the Oasis Protocol Block Explorer from Zero to One
Intro
Overview
In the innovative world of blockchain technology, a robust block explorer is essential for providing transparency and accessibility to users. This case study chronicles my journey as the sole UX/UI Product Designer tasked with creating Oasis Protocol's first block explorer. The goal was to design a unique feature that allowed users to search multiple paratimes in a single search, unifying the ecosystem's activity in one place.
Role & Responsibilities
As the only designer on this project, I undertook a comprehensive role that encompassed:
- Conducting user research and competitive analysis
- Leading product exploration and research sessions
- Designing and prototyping the user interface and experience
- Collaborating closely with community moderators, engineering teams, and stakeholders
- Managing the design handoff to engineering
details
Discovery Phase: Understanding User Needs and Market Gaps
Oasis Protocol required a new block explorer that would not only provide standard functionalities but also allow users to search across multiple paratimes seamlessly. The challenge was to design an MVP that could be expanded upon while integrating features that addressed the community's needs and set the product apart from existing block explorers.
To kick off the project, I conducted extensive research to understand the needs of our users and identify gaps in existing block explorers. I engaged with community members through interviews to uncover their pain points with current block explorers and analyzed user data to inform design decisions. Additionally, I studied existing solutions to pinpoint areas for improvement and opportunities for innovation. This comprehensive research provided a solid foundation for the project.
Ideation & Design: Crafting and Bringing Ideas to Life
Armed with insights from the discovery phase, I led internal and external exploration sessions to brainstorm and define the functional and technical requirements for the block explorer. Our key objective was to design a multi-paratime search feature that would aggregate data across different paratimes, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. We also aimed to create a scalable MVP that could be expanded with additional features in the future.
With a clear vision in mind, I began translating our ideas into tangible designs. Starting with wireframes, I progressed to high-fidelity prototypes, focusing on key design elements such as a powerful multi-paratime search functionality, a clean and intuitive interface, and interactive features like tooltips and contextual help to guide users through the platform. The design process was iterative, with regular feedback sessions to ensure we were meeting user needs and expectations.
Validation & Handoff: From Design to Development
To validate our designs, we conducted usability testing sessions with a diverse group of users, including community members and internal stakeholders. Their feedback was instrumental in refining the design and resolving usability issues. We made necessary adjustments based on user feedback to enhance the overall experience, ensuring the final product was intuitive and user-friendly.
Once the designs were finalized, I collaborated closely with the engineering team to ensure a seamless transition from design to development. This involved providing comprehensive design documentation and specifications, as well as maintaining open communication with developers to address any questions and ensure design integrity throughout the implementation process.
Conclusion
Conclusion
This project exemplifies the zero-to-one design concept, showcasing my ability to take an idea from inception to a fully functional product. By conducting thorough research, leading collaborative exploration sessions, and focusing on user-centric design, I successfully created a unique and highly effective block explorer for Oasis Protocol. This case study highlights my commitment to innovation, user engagement, and delivering impactful solutions in the dynamic web3 landscape.
Key Takeaways
The MVP of the block explorer was successfully launched, featuring the unique multi-paratime search functionality. Post-launch, we continued to gather user feedback and introduced additional features that further enhanced the product. The block explorer quickly attracted thousands of unique monthly users, and newly added features and continuous improvements drove traffic up by an additional 17.8%.
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