Aethos
Imagine if Cryptocurrency Didn't Feel Like a Risk
My Role:
Main Product Designer, Research & UX Design, User research, prototyping, UI design
Scope:
Mobile Design, Cryptocurrency, Fintech
Outcome:
I successfully consolidated a fragmented DeFi journey into a single, unified command center. By designing a cross-chain swap engine that calculates slippage and gas fees in real time, the platform eliminates the transaction anxiety that usually leads to user drop off.
Timeline:
October 2025
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PROBLEM STATEMENT
From Anxiety to Access: Solving the Crypto Onboarding Gap
When I started Aethos, I realized that most crypto apps aren't designed for people, they’re designed for protocols. I wanted to flip that. I focused on making the onboarding feel like a regular fintech app, using biometrics to lower the entry bar.
Goal
My goal with Aethos was to solve the Complexity Gap. I wanted to take the raw power of a decentralized exchange and wrap it in a UI that feels intuitive for a retail user but robust enough for a pro trader. Success meant creating a flow where onboarding feels like a welcome, not a warning.
RESEARCH
Research Methodology
To prioritize our user-first approach, we conducted a survey to identify pain points, analyze competitors, and inform design decisions, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience for Aethos users.
Research Results
Due to users identifying slow loading time and performance issue as a major problem, simplifying proceedings and user flow was primary in our design thinking and execution. This simplified manner of approach sped up onboarding by more than 30%.
We enhanced Aethos’ security by improving feedback and notifications, ensuring clear, timely alerts for a trusted, seamless user experience. This retains users by more than 50%.
USER JOURNEY
With Aethos, Cryptocurrency Doesn't Have to be Technical
Aethos’ user flow was crafted through research-driven design thinking, prioritizing intuitive navigation and seamless interactions for an effortless experience.
Onboarding & Discovery: Users enter through a verified login, moving quickly into a high signal search filtered by lifestyle pills (Solar, Security, etc.).
Verified Engagement: To ensure high trust, seekers view landlord profiles and book inspections directly within the app, bypassing intermediaries.
Transaction & Closing: The journey culminates in a secure in app application and payment flow. By centralizing the process, DirectKey eliminates the Middleman Tax, ensuring a transparent path from first click to move in day.
USER PERSONA
DESIGN SYSTEM
The visual language of Aethos is built on an Institutional Light aesthetic. I deliberately moved away from the dark neon heavy hacker tropes of early crypto projects in favor of a clean high clarity environment. By using a palette of soft whites cool grays and sharp geometric silhouettes the system communicates a sense of openness and professional grade security. This reassures users that their capital is in a safe transparent and serious environment.
Components
Wireframes
UI Design
Typography
Color System
DESIGN IMPACT & REFLECTION
Success Benchmarks
Transaction Success Rate: By implementing better UI feedback loops and pre-flight checks I targeted a 60% decrease in failed transactions caused by user error or slippage.
Smart Contract Safety: The goal was to ensure 100% of high risk contracts are flagged by the Safety Shield before a user signs a transaction.
Transaction Success Rate: By implementing better UI feedback loops and pre-flight checks I targeted a 60% decrease in failed transactions caused by user error or slippage.
