Objective – create utility for avatars that can be used acrossed digital and physical realms in the web3 space

Position – lead Product Designer

Contributions – Design leadership across creative, UX, UI. Design representation to company leadership and partner to engineering.

 

What is Genies?

Genies is a new Avatar ecosystem that seeks to revolutionize web3, much like mobile apps transformed web2. This platform comprises a range of elements, including avatars, fashion, collectibles, spaces, venues, and social experiences, offering users a diverse range of creative tools and opportunities to bring their ideas and experiences to life. Genies allows users to own and control their digital assets, enabling them to use them however they see fit.

 

Why Genies?

It is a company that operates in the growing field of virtual goods and avatar-based experiences. With the rise of digital culture and the increasing integration of virtual experiences into our daily lives, Genies aims to provide a platform that allows users to express themselves in new and exciting ways.

In particular, Genies is positioned to capitalize on the emerging web3 space, which is focused on decentralized and blockchain-based applications. By leveraging these technologies, Genies is able to offer users greater control over their digital assets, as well as new ways to monetize their creations.

 

Core Hypothesis for Success

  • People are increasingly looking for new and innovative ways to express themselves in digital environments.

  • The emergence of web3 and blockchain-based applications creates new opportunities for digital self-expression and monetization.

  • Partnerships with high-profile celebrities, athletes, and brands can help to raise Genies' profile and attract new users.

  • The integration of virtual experiences into social media platforms can create new opportunities for user engagement and monetization.

 

Finding Utility

Leading with these 4 core hypothesis we set out to create what we call “SPACES.” Our aim was to create a world where users could more fully express themselves through their avatars, monetize their creations, socialize with others, and connect with relevant taste makers. Through our research, we discovered that one of the main challenges with our previous product was that users didn't know how to engage with their avatars, resulting in a low user return rate. This led us to ask ourselves: Would Spaces be the solution to this problem?

Spaces

The core concept of Spaces divides the app into two main swim lanes: CREATE and EXPLORE. In the CREATE section, users can generate and share their own content with others. The EXPLORE section, on the other hand, provides a platform for users to browse through other people's content, and decide whether to engage with or purchase it

Explore

Connect and Share content with other like minded individuals

 

Create

Create an identity and look that goes beyond just users’ clothes. Create a world they can share, get notoriety for, and further build an identity off of.

 

Not too Hot, Not too Cold… Just Right…

We explored a variety of world types from schools and concert venues to forest and under the ocean. Ultimately we landed on a space the represents the users most intimate self while allowing a bite size amount of control for their surrounding environment. This space being a bedroom.

 
 

Space Creation

A major constraint was figuring out to create an immersive experience around space creation within a mobile device. How we decided to do this was through breaking down the elements from the larger space to specific objects guiding our users deeper and deeper in the creation process.

 
 

User Representation

The space adds utility to the avatars, however we wanted to ensure it wasn’t just a “Place” to put stuff and show it off. We wanted to ensure it showed off our users in the best light. We gave extra consideration to how the lighting, angles, and expression of the space would come to be. Something that we found to have major impact in this journey was the way in which we captured the avatars angles within the space.

 

Current Results

Through the creation process “Spaces” pivoted into what is now called “Scenes” in the app and the result is a dynamic play between the Avatars and the Space around them.

 

On the Horizon

We are working towards our next iteration to include the social component and ability to purchase and sell digital goods within these Scenes. Stay tuned as more gets released to the public!