Running a startup Retearn from scratch
Running a startup Retearn from scratch
Our team created Retearn to provide people with financial tools that would allow them to overcome rising inflation rates. You can choose the protocol you are interested in (Compound, TrueFi, Rari Capital) and on-ramp or off-ramp without any special knowledge.
At the same time, potential exchange rate fluctuations are taken into account and protected by the fund. The return is not fixed and may vary from month to month, but is at least 7%.
At the same time, potential exchange rate fluctuations are taken into account and protected by the fund. The return is not fixed and may vary from month to month, but is at least 7%.
Overview
Role
Founding Product Designer
Company
Retearn Ltd
Period
May 2022 - May 2023
Pre-Launched
May 2023
Team
12 folks
Pre-seed
$200k
Design Details
Retearn's account
Retearn's account
Retearn's account
My role
Ideation
As the sole Product Designer of Retearn, I worked closely with founders and I led the initiative for designing the entire experience for the app. I conducted user interviews, mapped out user journeys and designed small progressive quick wins so that we could iteratively enhance the user experience.
In addition, I created 3 different tones of voice for non-crypto, crypto and for middle user.
Validate
I designed prototypes to validate ideas and assumptions through usability testing, and to drive decision making during stakeholder meetings.
Design Execution
I created user journeys, wireframes, prototypes, design specs and all assets needed for development and worked alongside front and back developers.
As the sole Product Designer of Retearn, I worked closely with founders and I led the initiative for designing the entire experience for the app. I conducted user interviews, mapped out user journeys and designed small progressive quick wins so that we could iteratively enhance the user experience.
In addition, I created 3 different tones of voice for non-crypto, crypto and for middle user.
Validate
I designed prototypes to validate ideas and assumptions through usability testing, and to drive decision making during stakeholder meetings.
Design Execution
I created user journeys, wireframes, prototypes, design specs and all assets needed for development and worked alongside front and back developers.
The Challenge
Users
To design flow, it could be used by people with no knowledge of DeFi, while providing enough information for pro users.
In addition, we didn't know our target audience in the first month. The choice was between crypto, non-crypto and middle audience.
In addition, we didn't know our target audience in the first month. The choice was between crypto, non-crypto and middle audience.
External
Changed the blockchain twice during development, due to sudden changes in the market.
Terra > Solana > TON
Terra > Solana > TON
Internal
As I was the only person working full time, I held all the product context, the rest of the team were distributed and plugged into the project as needed.
Design Approach
Identifying the user problem
Hight world inflation
The rise in inflation is causing people to panic as they see their savings rapidly disappearing. The escalating prices of goods and services are causing anxiety.
The desire for stability and financial security encourages people to seek new financial strategies and to explore alternative ways of saving and investing.
The rise in inflation is causing people to panic as they see their savings rapidly disappearing. The escalating prices of goods and services are causing anxiety.
The desire for stability and financial security encourages people to seek new financial strategies and to explore alternative ways of saving and investing.
High entry threshold for DeFi investments
Most investment products in DeFi for 2022 are not adapted to the user who is encountering cryptocurrency for the first time.TrueFi, Compaund protocols bring a high level of profitability and require an advanced level of experience and require a large amount of money to be invested over a long period of time, leaving the opportunity to use this working tool only for a people deep in the industry.
Exploring multiple solutions
Exploring technical constraints
Finalising the user journey
Appendix
Crypto winter
External challenges and 2 pivots | Terra > Solana > TON
June 2022
We originally planned to develop our project on the TerraUSD stablecoin. However, two weeks after our launch, Terra crashed dramatically and we had to change our plans and priorities.
November 2022
Our second plan was to build the system using a Solana or ETH crypto wallet and smart contract. However, after the unpredictable crash of FTX, we decided to step aside from this idea.
December 2022
Finally, we chose TON Blockchain because it had a lot of investment and infrastructure, looked like a supernova, and also offered the opportunity to win a grant.
