Designing an art-sharing app leveraging blockchain technology
Role
Product designer
type of work
Product design
— mobile application
Team
In-house product team
Client
VALICO
Year
2019
VALICO’s mission is to promote the values of art and culture. Artnote is the first blockchain-based project developed by VALICO to support emerging artists in the art market, with a focus on artwork authentication. I was responsible for designing the beta version.
In the real world, most artists we spoke with were not concerned with copyright infringement, as it happens infrequently. Instead, their main focus was building their reputation and achieving financial stability as full-time artists. This shift in priorities led us to refocus the product on helping artists monetize their work, rather than simply addressing copyright issues, ensuring the app met their real needs.
The home screen provides immersive, gallery-like experience where the artwork takes center stage. The interface allows the artwork's colors to fill the screen, creating a seamless visual flow. As users scroll through, the menu bar disappears, minimizing distractions and emphasizing the content. This approach ensures that the focus remains on the artwork, helping artists showcase their creations in a more prominent and engaging way.
The login screen curates artwork selected by the Artnote team, providing an additional platform for promoting artists' work. This feature enhances visibility and gives users a chance to engage with curated pieces right from the start.
This interaction allows users to explore the details of an artwork dynamically, revealing the step-by-step creation process rather than displaying a static image. By leveraging blockchain technology, this feature securely documents the entire creative process from inception to completion, ensuring both transparency and protection of intellectual property.
The collection feature serves different user groups by enabling art collectors and viewers to track artwork progress, save pieces that inspire them, and make notes on what resonates. For artists, it provides a platform to organize their portfolios and keep viewers updated on their creative process. This feature strengthens engagement by connecting users with artworks in a meaningful, organized way, supporting both inspiration and visibility for artists.