Illia Tofanchuk - Web3 Visual Language: What Does the Decentralized Future Look Like?

UIUX designer focusing on decentralized apps and fintech interfaces. He works at mood global services as a designer for blockchain based products. And today he going to talk about how to interactive internet and how basically to combine the house of the centralization and also the clarity for the user. So please

thank you everyone. Thanks for coming. Really appreciate. And uh my talk will focus how web 3 looks like in 2025. And uh and now uh Matia told you about some technical aspect how to use some visual components, some visual resources and I would like to logically continue this and explain how the visual facet look like.

So I am UXUI designer and I have worked in web three for three years and uh my job is con it's translate the complex blockchain technology into easy easy and enjoyable for users. Uh today we will explore uh visual design practices to understand how they changing the technology and design role in uh reshaping our digital experience. By the way, according to different estimates from six to eight% of people own in the world own cryptocurrency today. Uh but in the time of war, financial problems, uh strong control from banks and government, more and more people look financial freedom online. Um that's why my talk will focus not only how web three look but also how to smart and simple design can help new user learn and explore with what web three can offer.

So we will explore the evolution from web one to web three where uh where where user and digital ownership become a central. Uh we will analyze also web three trends visual trends focusing of intuitiveness transparency security and userentric approach. Also we will explore web three challenges. We'll discuss the difficulties designers, users, stop startup foreigners will enc encounters while adopting to blockchain new new landscape and also we will uh explore how everyday services like social media and wolve and web 3. So all set let's jump forward to a future where every screen it's your portal to a new digital reality.

So web one we can imagine like a massive uh like a massive digital library where everyone can their oven book but couldn't edit others. Uh this was the internet of early settlers no rules no middleman's uh no control where every service was like independent island in the digital ocean. Web 2 brought the era of social media platform like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Instagram emerge where users become not just consumer but content creators. Sounds great, right? But uh there is another side.

Everything become a concentrated in the hand of tech gigans like Google, Amazon, Meta. We gain convenience but uh lost control of our data. Now we arrive in web three and attempt to reclaim the freedom but is with new tools blockchains defy ecosystem NFD standards. So you know the core idea is to create decentralized internet where user regain control of their data asset and experience but we not we're not there yet. In practice, web three is still moving toward decentralization and many project remain depend on the company that created them.

This is the most interesting for us designer. Web three doesn't have the clear visual identity. Uh instead we see a lot of coping that become popular like 3D shapes, bright neon colors, soft glow and emotionless character. Uh why? Because web 3 is complex and hard to grasp.

The easiest way is to solve that through abstract design and mysterious beauty. Uh this is where we come in. We don't just to make the pretty design. We translate the complex technology into the clear visual language. We create experience that help people move from web two to web 3 smoothly without fear with curiosity.

We build a bridge between the familiar familiar behavior and blockchain new possibilities. Crypto founders like you build a technology and designer like me make them easy to use. Our job is to show people that web three isn't too difficult or just for tech people. It's a new internet that can simple and friendly. Uh this is how the tomorrow tech can become the normal for everyone.

So what does the new decentralized aesthetic look like in 2025? Uh let's explore the key visual trends. Uh ones that not just decorate but actually guide the users into the blockchain world. Uh web 3 UXUI design aims to make decentralized apps easy and accessible while keeping the centralization, security and privacy and the key aspect include abstract. Uh the first aspect uh abstract visuals uh web three often lack clear visual reference for concept like layer two to blockchain or multi-ync transaction.

Uh that is why we use abstract shape to communicate complex tech ideas through cooler cooler movement and spiral design. The the human brain naturally seeking meaning in unfamiliar things and the abstraction sparks curiosity and invites to exploration. This is the attention trigger. So abstract visels become the UI shortcut to understand the function without technical skills. The ne next aspect 3D visuals and interactivity creating W moment through stunning animation in vibrate element that make the product product stand out.

3D components adapts to otherwise invisible process. Inter interact interactive features turn usage into engagement uh triggering dopamine response. When user can play with design it feels rewarding and help them remember your product. The next aspect engaging visuals. We design we designer walk between the function and beauty and where every w element must enhance user experience not just impressed.

But web 3 is special. Experimentation is encouraged here as a bold solution often become a new standards. Uh from a marketing perspective the first three seconds are crucial. ER catching but clear design turns visitor into engaged user. The next next aspect in dark mode uh a dark interface reduce ear strains as you know especially dur dur during prolonged use and it's now the must have to make to have a UI modern UI design in the dark mode also dark mode uh create color indicators like transaction status uh stands out better uh micro interaction Every click status change uh swipe should provide the feedback.

This maintains a sense of control. User expect a response to their action. Silence interface create a doubt. Responsive interface create build the trust. Interactivity uh we learn best by doing.

This is the active cognition. Interactivity isn't just an animation. It's a invitation to action. Just guide user to their goal. Especially my favorite on the pump one, bubble maps.

Really interesting. Updated minimalism, clean, simple layout uh that makes the centralized system easier to understand. And in web three, minimalism isn't just empty design. It's about the clear navigation through complex system. Simplicity create trust.

If the product looks too complicated, user leave and hasted data visualization tables, charts, heat maps, we need to make them dynamic and interactive. Data it's a part of UX. Color, motion, and structure can explain the complex information. Web three runs on data. If you don't visualize, you lose the meaning.

Smooth on boarding. Yes, it's a metaphorical joke, but literally that should be a gradual introduction and immersion uh of the users in of the user in your product uh of the with the help of interface uh tips or a pass that will consist of step-by-step points that allow user to reach the final goal. We can expect while user to figure out how to connect a wallet. If you don't explain how your product work, uh you lose the user. uh gamification.

Um overall, crypto founders have successfully tap into the gaming i audience recognizing if you're not a streamer but you want to earn the money doing what you what you love. Uh the crypto and gaming it's a good combination in web three. This is this energy transforms complex uh complex action into engaging experience by integrating pages level and the interacting quest. It trigger daffamin through achievement system makes learning intuitive uh user learn by doing not by reading manuals and also build the loyality. People turns to level people return to level up your their virtual character and of course mobile experience.

Uh it means like user loyality because 18% uh of traffic comes from smartphone and users stand with your product when they give full functionality on both phone and computer. Uh don't notice difference between switching the device. Uh can adopt quickly without extra instruction and also every interaction must be comfortable on a smart screen on the large ones. And of course branding. A brand isn't just a logo.

It's how you communicate in the web tree. Brands are built by communities. Go design, good design, show this. When there is no central company, the brand is what makes people safe. So abstract visuals through the interactivity dark mode makes blockchain to intuit and engaging.

These principles turn complex concepts into user friendly realities. But implementing this is difficult. Let's explore this the barriers how to overcome them and the them for a seamless decentralized future. Web three is a visual anarchy with a purpose. It interface can vibr vbrand bold sometimes confusing.

This is the new landscape of the free of a freedom and tech. When something doesn't work, you don't complain. You build your oven. This freedom hold the power but also rises the new question where designers meets user experience turbulence emerge. Here are some here is uh multi-level challenges that aren't immediately clear but effects for everyone.

Designers who want things clear but creative beginners who like web three but find it strange. Crypto found crypto founders build it complicated app with many steps and also the industry itself just learn how to exist without centralization. In this intersection of aesthetic technology and experience emerge a new landscape of challenges affecting not just designer but for beginners crypto founders in industry. Challenges for designer how to show the freedom and shared control in easy to use design. How to keep web 3 experimental spirit without logic and usability and what design how designer solve this question issue.

Uh translate philosophy into experience simplifying complexity without losing the meaning. Build on board that uh teach through action clicks and feedback and also create interface not as a decoration but as a guide uh making the project idea feel from a first click. Challenges for new new users. A beginner just want to claim the air drop m but might not understand what is the seat phrase, how to connect a wallet, how to swap token. Uh web three service often like web three service often like the puzzle without a clue full of technical terms confusing navigation and information overload.

Even community of ownership feel abstract. token holders don't really feel like owners uh when the asset aren't physical and what designers do in this situation created the UX bridge between web two and web three implemented familiar patterns for gradual immersion emb contextual hints so user find the answer during uh product interaction rather than searching documentation and also help people feel in control even uh within complex technological system challenges for crypto founders. Many web3 startup have a strong idea but a we first touch point with the users. User user often lost even before to connect a wallet. A product quickly lose trust if it uh doesn't vis visualize v visually communicate purpose or looks like unfinished experiment.

And uh what designer does, designer builds step-by-step uh user flows that explain how to get started, connect the wallet and use the product through clean visuals, consistent branding and intuitive layout. Designer make uh the product feel safe, reliable and professional. Also designer turns a technical blockchain features into understand interface help user focus on what matter not how it works and web challenges web three industry. Web three web three still lack establishing standards. Every team reinvent the wheel.

Blockchain technical limitation for example delays, transaction complexity, clear UX UX pressure and also interface often fail to adopt for a mobile experience despite our mobile first world. And what designer does design for uncertainty and counts for delays, instability and unpredictable behavior. Great logical design system enabling team uh to scale without losing the logic and think ahead. Build adaptility adapt adaptability into the core and not just the pretty visuals. In the world without unifi rules the designer become the navigator create structure where none yet exist.

So in web three uh designer aren't just people who drop the bottom. Uh there are the system integrator, cultural translator and trust builder. Their role is to make complex things accessible uh visually clear and emotionally compelling. So in this section I would like to I would like to talk about how everyday services like social social media, video hosting and more can involve in victory technologies. Today many of the platform have a serious problem lack of user control, high fees, tensorship and unfair algorithms.

We will explore how web three we will explore how web three offers new solution giving user ownership, better privacy and more uh direct uh value from the content they create and share. Uh the first social media and sharing and sharing visual content platform in web two uh photo and video sharing services like Instagram work like this. You post and you follow followers belong to the platform and algorithm design who sees your content and monetization is often small and fully controlled by by central system. We can imagine the future of uh such platform like this. Your photo becomes your NFD and your followers are your digital asset.

You control your data and how you earn from it. And what is the role of these changes? The change turns content creator from a simple provider into the real owners of digital portfol port portfolios instead of algorithm hiding your great content. Now your photo can not only look beautiful but also bring you passive income. Video hosting and video sharing service.

Let's take a YouTube or Tik Tok as an example. Your content also also the same problem. Your content often stand in the shadow while the platform promotes videos that are good for its business. Your income depends on strict rules and censorship algorithms. The future of this platform in web 3 could look different.

Video are stored in IPFS. It's a interplanetary file system which make them resistant to censorship. Ordering from views go directly to your wallet. Censorship is managed by the community not by hiding algorithm. So decentralization of video hosting give the regular user freedom from annoying ads and gives control creators freedom from algorithms control.

Your video can live forever on IPFS. Even the algorith algorithms decide doesn't like your creative but unusual content. And congratulation your 20 viewers are not a failure but it's it's a small communities that support you and give you passive income. Also let's consider the blogging and article publishing services on the platform like medium. Your article can get lost amount thousand of other receive very few views or be blocked due to the censorship or even be copied and post somewhere somewhere else without your permission.

In web three world the future of this platform might look different. Articles become the NFD collection. Readers can support your your content by building as an NFT and even reselling your thoughts on the marketplace. In this st in this uh in this stage uh we are rethinking how content are published turning each article into unique digital asset. Now your deep ideas can uh become something valuable something readers can buy sell and quote and when they do you earn the royalties.

So web three technologies uh are already changing the digital world but uh without thoughtful designs they will remain too complex for everyday users. You move from we moved from focusing only on functionality to building trust. Now design must not only look good but uh prove that that the centralization is safe and easy to understand. from unified platform to personalized experience. Web three gives user control over the data.

So design should adopt to them not the other way around from uh from abstraction to real impact tokens NFTs the centralized autonomous organization make user part of the system. So design must show how the action affect to the network. Also the future of 3D design depend on our ability to simplify the complex like Metavas or Phantom make the wallet user friendly make secure and intuitive so user don't lose the million because of small mistakes and also turns the centralization to a benefit not just a technical jargon and web design isn't just a trend it's a new paradigm and uh now it's the best time to shape it rules So uh also I have additional um additional time and I would like to make some uh practicum and uh show it's very important if you have designers and your team uh I would like to show you how to make quick iteration with product. How to make a fast design with AI. I would like to show you how to work with Figma AI and we also considering the other the other product like lovable.

Uh can you Okay, while we're waiting, maybe you have some question you can ask. Feel free. Yeah, fine. Okay. So, okay.

As I as I mentioned before uh [Music] uh I would like to show how Fimma make work and uh how to how designer can uh make the quickly prototype. For example, I prepared the simple prompt Okay. Okay. So, let's pass it and uh and we'll see how it how it works. To be honest, I don't test it.

Uh I don't test this prompt before and maybe we receive some unexpectable result. But also let's uh paste this to loable. This is the also uh I would like to call it like wipe code uh design dash uh code wipe coding wipe designing. So and uh what I tried to make I would like to make the simple design and this is the simple idea for uh crypto stock portfolio dashboard uh using design system. Material Valerio previously showed you the told uh told you about the material design and uh I would like to use this material design and apply to my product.

So uh you can see how how code writing uh how code writing and uh then we can see the results. Let's see what's inside in loable. Maybe it's ready. Not yet. Let's let's try again.

Also it worth to mention that we can uh upload our design system apply design system in Figma but uh in lovable unfortunately not. Uh so I think u for this purpose Figma it's uh it's better convenient for our purpose. The prompt is uh the prompt is really big because I would like to make the I would like to divide uh my my product like crypto portfolio view and uh also stock asset view and also and also I asked the I asked the system to make light mode and dark mode lovable also. also thinking about it. By the way, uh while we're waiting, we can also embed additional code.

For example, we can find some uh good practice uh for a free stock uh size like code pen. We can find some uh some results. For example, this is another deps made. This is the results. And also we can copy this code and uh pass in our Figma or lower.

So uh now we see the product almost almost done but it need be the final polishing but let's see the functionality. Okay. Something like this. I asked the system to create the crypto portfolio and the stock portfolio. So yeah, we can ch we can change this also.

Also we have a statistic uh as I ask in the prompt to make it a statistic make interactive charts and uh also crypto assets table. By the way, we can also ask to upload anyway, we can also ask to use the app, Binance app or another app to update the logos, the prices because we see an actual it's not actual prices. And uh this is the way how we can uh quickly quickly make the simple prototype for first interaction and then final polish in this. And uh this is the way how to quickly communicate with developers with customers and uh with the team. So thank you everyone.

Appreciate appreciate your interesting interest and uh enjoy the day. Thank you.