Project
Flote.app
During my time at Flote I acted as the VP of UI/UX & Creative, and later moved to the VP of Web3 role. Flote was a startup alternative social media platform focused on free speech, privacy, and data/digital-asset ownership.
project
App UI Design
Deliverables:
- Adobe Xd prototypes
- UX planning, research, and testing
- Prepare Product Requirement Documents outlining every feature for efficient handoff to engineers
Objective
Create a clean and intuitive user interface for both web and mobile applications that felt native to both Twitter and Fecebook users.
Prototype Note
This Xd prototype my be a bit buggy, as it has been tweaked by other colleagues over time.
Unique Challenges
Subtle Web3
Lowering any and every barrier to entry was the name of the game. This necessitated dejargonizing web3 features, removing unneeded transition and wallet management friction, and making the interaction with tokenized assets second nature.
Thoughtful Beta to V1.0 Transition
To the uninitiated, web3 can be intimidating. We had to find a way to walk the line between a robust feature set and alienating our less technologically inclined users.
Mobile 2nd
As a platform dedicated to absolute free speech, Flote was banned from the major app stores early on. This required us to go the unconventional route and optimize it for desktop, with an option to load the mobile app via APK for more savvy users.
Web App
V1.0 (code name “catamaran”) of Flote.app was part of a long-game transition from Beta (code name “bote”) so as to not shock our existing userbase, while building a far more robust and scaleable foundation to venture deep into the vast horizons that web3 promises.
Prototype Note
This Xd prototype my be a bit buggy, as it has been tweaked by other colleagues over time.
Mobile App
FloteDAO dApp
The FloteDAO was our way of building incentive upon incentive, creating a rich utility narrative for our tokens, and to deepen our market liquidity while offering participants a seat at the table. We dissected the Defi DAO model of OlympusDAO, identified it’s many flaws, and built on it’s strengths to offer a far more stable and sustainable Defi DAO model.
project
Brand Development
Objective
Description coming soon.
Unique Challenges
Challenge 1
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Challenge 2
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Challenge 3
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Logo Evolution
The above logo transition is circa 2019 when I came on board to take the app from MVP to Beta. This logo update marked that milestone and my first significant contribution to the project.
The above logo treatment was a temporary refinement to tease the larger rebrand seen below. This was rolled out between the Beta to V1.0 upgrade.
The above logo treatment was a temporary refinement to tease the larger rebrand seen below. This was rolled out between the Beta to V1.0 upgrade.
project
Web3 Strategy & Integration
Objective
Beta to V1.0 saw the beginnings of our transition from a Bitcoin-only platform to an EVM platform, launching initially on the Polygon network. My mandate was to gradually introduce the existing userbase to web3, so they were primed for the major tokenized integrations to come.
Unique Challenges
BTC to EVM
We had built a userbase of BTC enthusiasts. However, to navigate the app into an ocean with larger network-effect opportunities, and feature options, we had to tread lightly.
Systems of Reward
Rewards are a great way to incentivize existing users to learn the new system, and to attract hordes of new users. But this also brings with it the headaches of bots, spammers, and scammers.
Revenue On-Switch
Previous to V1.0 Flote had not generated any revenue. The introduction of web3 features including a social and defi token ecosystem and digital collectibles was the path to cash-flow.
OVV3rview
It was no small undertaking pivoting the platform with simple P2P Bitcoin transactions to an EVM compatible platform that could thrive across multiple networks. Not least of all was the education required to bring our existing users along for the ride. But rather than lecture the plan was to demonstrate.
Phase 1
First, we would deprecate the custodial BTC wallet and allow the users to claim their balance in their non-custodial wallet linked to their account in wBTC or FLOTE tokens.
Phase 2
Reward early adopters with FLOTE tokens and exclusive “Plank Owner” NFT badges, respective of their contribution to the platform. These badges and their massive platform benefits could also be purchased. (see badges below)
Phase 3
P2P transactions return in the form of tipping a post (a “superlike”), paid subscriptions, and P2P payments.
Phase 4
A system for distributing rewards to users based on quality content that generates authentic engagement. This required significant forethought to ensure it incentivized the right interactions, and not bot/engagement farming.
Phase 5
The FloteDAO was to be launched to allow users to stake or bond the FLOTE tokens they purchased or earned and convert them into our governance token, HELM. (see the prototype above) This protocol was designed to allow Flote to deepen the FLOTE liquidity and to accumulate treasury funds to be used for ongoing development and investing in our CreatorDAO.
Phase 6
The CreatorDAO was devised to bring together the top content creators on the app, allowing them to propose and vote on improvements that would optimize the app for creators. In addition, they would have access to a portion of the DAO treasury to fund high-quality content exclusive to the Flote platform.
Early Adopter Badges/Roles
Based on the merritime concept of “Plank Owners” being the inaugural crew of a ship, owning a piece of it themselves, we brought this idea into the web3 era. Each level of Plank Owner had an increasing level of perks that were to be programmatically enforced by the app.
Let’s Build Something
I am currently open to new projects and ready to put my unique skill set to work for you. I would love to see how I can help accelerate your project to dominate the future. Feel free to reach out.
