My name is Andrii Bondar. I'm a product designer working on the zkSync project, a layer 2 solution for scaling the Ethereum blockchain. I'm entirely in love with Web3 and interface design, so I want to tell you a story about how to become a Web3 Interface Designer after six years of working in this sphere.
I’m sure you have heard many things about Web3. You could see the topics like "Best Web3 Applications", "Top Web3 Wallets", or "Is it a revolution or evolution?".
Long story short, Web3 is about the user controlling the Internet, not the other way around.
Blockchain gave us new tools for this, creating a new mission.
To Be a Web3 Designer, You Need to Be a Web3 User
Yes, it can look obvious, but I know the designers who want to work in decentralized finance projects but do not believe in blockchain and crypto technology. Come on, it’s like to be a designer in a gaming company and hate the games!
Yes, I know you can use many design methodologies and principles and provide hundreds of interviews (if you have the time for this, of course). I agree that interviews are essential, but again - if you do not believe in this sphere and do not love the things that can happen there, you will not grow as quickly as the sphere is growing.
Let me tell you one story.
I hired a designer for the design team a few years ago. I was looking for a visual product designer, and I have found one. While a great designer, there was one problem - this designer did not love this sphere.
No matter how great the designer was, it took a lot of work to interest this person in new technologies and researching new use cases and new visual components that technologies can provide.
Web3 is just beginning, and sometimes it evolves at break-neck speed. Being a Web3 user is the only way to keep up with emerging trends in the space.
Let me tell you another story about the people in Web3.
I love the people that work in this field, and I have no doubt that if you talk to them about anything, you'll have a lively debate. They are interested in Web3. Additionally, they welcome daily learning opportunities and new challenges. I like that they are involved with the blockchain without a college education.
Things You Can Do to Get More Invested in the Web3 Ecosystem
1. Deposit $50 to a centralized exchange. Investing 50 dollars can help you better than 50 hours of YouTube videos. Top centralized exchanges according to coinmarketcap: Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, KuCoin.
2. Send crypto to a decentralized external wallet. For example, Metamask (desktop browser only), Trust, 1inch, Argent, etc.
3. Swap crypto using a Decentralised Finance application. e.g Uniswap, 1inch, Sushi Swap.
4. Mint your first NFT and Web3 domain. You can check out OpenSea, or Rarible.
5. Enter the metaverse and game, using a crypto wallet. For example, Decentraland, Sandbox, Upland.
6. Research how online social media and file host service works with the blockchain.
2. Send crypto to a decentralized external wallet. For example, Metamask (desktop browser only), Trust, 1inch, Argent, etc.
3. Swap crypto using a Decentralised Finance application. e.g Uniswap, 1inch, Sushi Swap.
4. Mint your first NFT and Web3 domain. You can check out OpenSea, or Rarible.
5. Enter the metaverse and game, using a crypto wallet. For example, Decentraland, Sandbox, Upland.
6. Research how online social media and file host service works with the blockchain.
Now, I did not say that being a Web3 user automatically makes you an excellent designer. You still need to study the basics of design to improve your User Interface or User Experience design, depending on how you intend to specialize.
But please, love the sphere you’re working in, especially if it’s very dynamic, such as Web3.