Frontier is a global, chain-agnostic DeFi aggregator and crypto wallet, aiming to simplify DeFi investment management. As its user base expanded, the existing mobile experience struggled to support new, complex use cases in DeFi. In 2021, we set out to create a simplified, user-friendly product for managing all DeFi investments in one place.
User research, competitor analysis, wireframing, visual design, prototyping
Akash Gupta | Product Designer
Ajay Kappa | Product Manager
4+ Engineers
February 2022 - August 2022
With no product allowing users to fully track and manage their DeFi portfolios, Frontier sought a solution to consolidate these functions into one streamlined experience. Our core challenge was: How might we empower users to build, track, and manage their DeFi portfolios using Frontier in a way that is intuitive, enjoyable, and straightforward?
We began by aligning on the broader goals for Frontier, examining target users, and understanding the platform’s core business objectives.
To gain a deeper understanding of user behavior and frustrations, I conducted interviews with six DeFi investors across Singapore, the US, and Canada. This approach revealed insights into how frequently they checked portfolios, challenges faced during transactions, and features they found essential.
The challenge was to structure content and features based on user relevance, minimizing the cognitive load. To address this, I conducted a card-sorting exercise with five participants who had experience with financial platforms to understand the most intuitive grouping of features.
After analyzing card-sorting results, I created a user-centered site map that organized information clearly, allowing us to prioritize features based on their importance to the user.
Using this site map, I designed a left-side vertical navigation for the web app, ensuring users could access essential content and features with ease.
Users experienced stress during transaction failures and lacked clear paths forward. I explored various visual formats for showing relevant error messages directly within the transaction flow, aiming to create a seamless experience.
The third variant performed best, as it displayed an inline info bar with highly visible yet non-intrusive error messages. Users found it easy to take action, as clear guidance was placed near the error.
An intuitive error message now guides users seamlessly, reducing stress during transaction errors and allowing them to proceed with confidence.
To maintain a consistent design language, I developed a style guide aligned with Frontier’s established design principles.
This guide enabled a cohesive look and feel across Frontier, enhancing brand recognition and user experience.