Web 2.0 is no more, long live Web 3.0!
The next generation of the internet, addressed as Web3, is the hottest topic these days. The metaverse, NFTs, virtual reality, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies are all part of Web3, a futuristic landscape that has drawn everyone - from software developers to designers & managers. It has the same potential that the Internet did back in the 1990s - to revolutionise the world. This is exactly why a growing number of people are attempting to build their careers in Web3.
But what does this mean for web design?
It means that the conventional way of creating websites will change forever with the introduction of new technologies and features. The modern era of web design stresses flawless perfection, eye-catching colour schemes, and the incorporation of new design components that compliment the overall design.
Given the expanding demand for expertise in this lauded industry, what design skills are necessary to work in the Web3 market? How does one succeed in Web 3 as a designer? Let’s find out.
When starting a new design role in web3, it may be tempting to dive straight in and begin exploring various dApps (decentralised applications that run on the blockchain).
But what you should rather do is to get a grasp of the crucial concepts first. Being well-versed with new definitions i.e. DeFi, Gas, Mint, etc. will give you a bit more context and will make the verbiage feel familiar. Once you have a solid grasp of the blockchain from a design standpoint, begin learning about the present ecosystem. Find out about the pioneers in the various sectors of this industry.
Start with paymentX for cryptocurrency payrolls, Metamask for currency conversion, and Circle for peer-to-peer payments research. You can also use Whiteboard Crypto, where the author simply explains the blockchain with the use of metaphors and illustrations.
A large portion of the web3 environment was created by engineers, for engineers. While this isn't always a bad thing, it does mean that the verbiage can get difficult to grasp for newcomers. Web3 newcomers have an edge when it comes to establishing accessible onboarding flows or designing material for a straightforward and easy-to-understand error message.
When using web3 items for the first time, make notes. Which language do you find challenging? What flows don't naturally make sense? You will rapidly forget how little you first understood as your familiarity with the web3 space and vocabulary increases.
The Odyssey DAO newsletter is also a good source for attaining in-depth knowledge of the critical concepts of web3. They provide easily readable content that covers everything from setting up your first wallet to discussing DeFi, Ethereum, and NFTs.
Designing for a Web 2.0 project is a whole lot different from designing case studies in Web 3.0. As a designer, it is your responsibility to educate the public while outlining a practical use case because many people are uninformed about the capabilities and potential of the blockchain.
Utilising metaphors and mental models that people are already familiar with from Web 2.0 is one way to do it. Users feel secure because they are interacting with a well-known workflow. Finally, creating user-centric interfaces requires a high level of transparency. Web 3.0 is founded on the principle of transparency. Therefore, it's crucial to be transparent about the technology's security and working principles to make people feel at ease using the new apps.
Figma is a popular web design tool. Unsurprisingly, Figma and Sketch are arch rivals. However, using it is totally free. Although it is designed for browsers, a desktop application is also offered. The user interface is seamless and feels natural. Every button and feature is designed to make creating bespoke designs easy for you.
Sketch is undoubtedly one of the greatest digital design tools available. Despite the fact that it is restricted to a single operating system, macOS. Sketch offers essentially everything you need for digital design, including developing websites, mobile applications, vector graphics, as well as things like prototyping and external plugins for further functionality. The perk of Sketch is that it was created to facilitate website design. So you can create layers, grids, and much more.
As previously stated, Sketch was created specifically for macOS. Fortunately, Icons8 took the initiative to develop a replacement for Windows users. It is totally free. A Windows-based vector editing application called Lunacy draws heavily from Sketch for design ideas. It supports Sketch files in addition to being a fully capable standalone vector editing tool. Therefore, if you download any Sketch-created projects, you can use them with Lunacy.
You don't have to take a UX course to master Web 3.0 design principles. You only need access to a select few inspiration websites to be able to figure out what is popular.
Lapa Ninja stays up to date with all the most recent developments in web design. Additionally, they already have more than 2000 listings in their database. Individual listings make it very easy to see the latest trends and developments taking place in web design right now. Therefore, it is simply a priceless resource to reference occasionally, anytime you're stuck on a design, or whenever you're preparing to develop anything new.
In essence, a one-page website is a website without any other pages. OnePageLove is pretty much the best site for providing appropriate exposure for such sites. You can refine your search to certain categories, similar to Lapa Ninja.
Arguably the oldest running website inspiration site in the world, Awwwards manages to retain consistency year to year. This website features a lot of highly exclusive designs. It serves as a haven for highly imaginative and aspirational designers. Definitely worth bookmarking and returning to once a week.
Want to learn more about building a design career in Web 3.0? Book a 1:1 free mentoring session at ADPList today!
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