introducing web3: nft vending machine at singaporean national gallery
vending machine software design
At a time when everyone was raving about the possibilities of NFTs, I received a rather unusual assignment - my task was to create a design for an NFT vending machine.
08/2022
singapore
The project was carried out in cooperation with the National Gallery of Singapore and the company for which I provided my services. At a time when NFTs were at the peak of their popularity, we created a vending machine with souvenir tokens for all visitors. We wanted even people who have contact with blockchain technology for the first time to understand everything and find their way in it... and maybe especially them!
brief
The problem was evident from the very beginning – most gallery visitors were either unfamiliar with blockchain technology or not proficient in it, let alone in the world of NFTs. My task was to create a system that was both professional and educational for beginners. By engaging and sparking their interest in the subject, we aimed to popularize NFT technology and draw attention to the company I was providing services for.
the problem
scope of work
No process is the same, and it is rarely (if ever) a perfect reflection of the textbook Design Thinking approach. This time was no different. Due to very limited time, I had to forgot most of the best UX practices. However, I managed to incorporate a few of the most important aspects.
talks
This is an obvious step, but its value cannot be underestimated. During the process, given my need to significantly limit my UX approach, I spoke as much as I could within the time available.
With the company
I spent a considerable amount of time talking with the company I was providing services for. I got to know their expectations and approach to the subject. I even conducted a few interviews with employees who were not familiar with blockchain technology.
With the client
Opportunities here were quite limited, but I gathered the necessary requirements and expectations from the client and obtained answers to some of my pressing questions.
With potential users
Leveraging my connections in Singapore, I did my best to gather potential gallery visitors for research. The primary focus was to understand their level of knowledge about blockchain and verify data collected from the internet on the subject.
personas
Given the nature of the venue where the vending machine would be located, a common trait among most visitors is an interest in art. This aspect was extremely important to us since NFTs were considered "digital artworks." Beyond this, after getting to know the target audience, two main personas emerged.
market research
When analyzing other companies, I had to be quite creative. I couldn't focus solely on vending machines, as this case is rather unique, nor could I concentrate only on companies centered around NFTs. The intuitiveness of the process for visitors to obtain a free token was also crucial in this context.
Alright, I've got a rough idea of how this project could shape up... time to dive into the design!
Wireframes
The guiding principle of this project was simplicity in functionality while also grabbing visual attention. In the wireframe, I included a large section for educational video content with auto-transcription, a "how to get an NFT" guide, and a prominent CTA that generated a one-time QR code.
Final design
The goal here was clear—stand out. From conversations and research, it was evident that we shouldn’t shy away from bold colors, so I incorporated that approach into the design.
Summary
As expected, the vending machine generated significant interest. There were even articles in the media highlighting that the system I designed is the National Gallery's response to the technological race in today's world.
