Photonik is a platform and technology specifically focused on the development and implementation of solutions in the field of solar energy and renewable energy.
I started working with Mycelium alongside Jackson at JBuxd Studio, initially handling their website and deck design for the entire company. Our involvement deepened when Mycelium embarked on creating Tracer DAO, an open-source, smart contract protocol for derivatives. This shift required a comprehensive design approach to ensure seamless usability and strong brand alignment.
As Lead UI Designer, I collaborated closely with Mycelium’s in-house team, which included 3D designers and graphic designers. Having a diverse team enriched the UI/UX process, allowing us to integrate visual storytelling elements alongside the functional components of the Tracer DAO ecosystem. The presence of specialists from various disciplines ensured that the final product was not only aesthetically appealing but also intuitive and user-friendly.
We aimed to establish a strong foundation by streamlining workflows, optimizing user journeys, and creating a design system that could scale as Tracer DAO evolved. Working alongside Jackson and the internal Mycelium team, we refined our process through iterative feedback loops and close communication with stakeholders.
Tracer DAO (TCR) is a decentralized protocol designed to enable anyone to deploy derivatives markets via Tracer Factory templates. The first market launched was Tracer Perpetual Pools, a financial primitive that introduced key innovations: no margin requirements, no liquidations, and fully fungible tokens. These features provided traders with low-cost, leveraged exposure to assets without the risks typically associated with traditional financial instruments.
Beyond its financial applications, Tracer DAO plays a crucial role in governance within the OriginTrail ecosystem. The TCR token, operating on the Ethereum blockchain as an ERC-20 token, facilitates decentralized decision-making, incentivizing participation and ensuring transparency in data verification across industries such as supply chain management, healthcare, and research.
Given the technical nature of Tracer DAO, we focused on translating complex DeFi mechanics into an intuitive and visually coherent user experience. Our primary design goals included:
We worked extensively on user onboarding, recognizing that clear, guided interactions were essential for both experienced traders and newcomers to the DeFi space. By refining the information architecture and optimizing the navigation experience, we created a seamless flow that minimized friction and improved user retention.
As the project expanded, we made the strategic decision to bring in an additional UX/UI designer, Elli, who had a strong background in cryptocurrency and blockchain markets. Elli’s expertise in market cycles and user behavior proved invaluable in shaping the product’s usability and aligning it with the expectations of DeFi traders.
We maintained a rigorous design process, conducting weekly standups with the founders and development teams. These meetings ensured that we remained aligned with product goals, addressed emerging challenges proactively, and adapted our designs based on iterative feedback.
Collaboration was key in ensuring that every design element—from dashboards to trading interfaces—was fully optimized for usability. By leveraging a combination of usability testing, A/B testing, and continuous iteration, we ensured that each component delivered a smooth and efficient user experience.
The fast-paced nature of the project required long hours and dedicated focus to keep up with the rapid development progress. While there weren’t major roadblocks, we encountered certain challenges when refining intricate feature flows. These required extensive iteration and detailed discussions with the design team, project managers, and key stakeholders.
One of the biggest challenges was maintaining coherence between the fast-moving development teams and the evolving design iterations. At times, ensuring that the UI aligned perfectly with new functionalities required revisiting our assumptions and making real-time adjustments. Despite these hurdles, the process remained highly collaborative, with all teams working towards the shared goal of delivering a polished final product.
After more than six months of dedicated effort, we successfully launched the product on schedule. The seamless collaboration between Mycelium, JBuxd Studio, and the internal design team resulted in a well-executed, scalable platform that met both user needs and business objectives.
Working with Mycelium on Tracer DAO was an incredibly rewarding experience. Having direct access to stakeholders enabled quick decision-making and allowed us to maintain a high level of precision throughout the design process. The journey reinforced the importance of collaboration, iteration, and a deep understanding of both the technical and human aspects of product design.
Looking back, this project served as a testament to the power of cross-functional teamwork in creating impactful digital experiences. It was a privilege to contribute to such an innovative initiative, and I look forward to future projects that challenge the boundaries of UI/UX design in the blockchain space.
Photonik is a platform and technology specifically focused on the development and implementation of solutions in the field of solar energy and renewable energy.
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