I covered the full design process - from problem definition and research to information architecture, user flows, and final product screens.
Desktop
Web3
Governance
Scope
Product design, User Research, Design system
Time
Aug 2025 - Oct 2025
75% increase
Number of created proposals
$34k to $61k
30+
positive reviews after redesign
Problem
Z Combinator lacked a clear UX structure and a consistent visual system, which made its core workflows difficult to understand. Users struggled to see where to create proposals, vote, or explore decision markets. This confusion made the product harder to navigate, reduced engagement, and created friction around the platform’s main actions.
Research
I started by framing the main research question: how users navigate governance and futarchy flows in Z Combinator, and where they lose context between proposals, markets, and trading. Because full futarchy products are still rare, I used prediction market platforms as the closest functional reference to study how similar systems structure information, actions, and decision-making flows.
To validate these patterns, I conducted user interviews focused on current platform behavior, key user goals, and points of confusion. The research revealed that users struggled to understand where to act, how product sections were connected, and how to move through core workflows. These insights shaped the main UX direction: a clearer structure, stronger navigation, and more explicit links between governance and market interactions.
Users often arrive from Discord or Twitter links and get lost when trying to explore beyond the initial page.
Users care about both governance and financial outcomes, but don’t understand how proposals connect to markets and trading.
Users wanted a clear linear flow from proposal to market to trading.
“It’s hard to understand which proposals are active. A simple label would save so much time.”
"Markets make sense to me, but proposals look disconnected from trading. I wish the flow was linear.”
“I didn't know that I can also create a decision market on ZC"
Mapping
Research showed that the main issue was not just unclear screens, but a fragmented product structure. Proposals, markets, and portfolio flows felt disconnected, which made navigation and decision-making harder.
Based on these insights, I created a new information architecture to better connect key sections, clarify entry points, and support a more intuitive flow from discovery to action. This structure became the foundation for the future UX of the product.
I mapped the flow of entering a proposal market to turn research insights into a clearer and more intuitive user journey. It helped identify friction points, simplify the path from discovery to action, and guide stronger UX decisions.
— Connect proposals, markets, and trading into one coherent flow
— Introduce a clear proposal → market → action journey
— Surface proposal creation and core actions earlier
— Improve discovery without relying on external links
— Add decision-making context to proposal pages
— Define clear entry points across the product
— Design for quick understanding and confident action
— Establish a consistent product structure and hierarchy
Redesigned the main screen into a unified discovery layer where users can explore, evaluate, and act on proposals in one place. Instead of fragmented sections, proposals, market data, and statuses are combined into a single, scannable interface.
Made proposal states (active, passed, failed) and categories immediately visible. This improves trust in the system and helps users understand what is happening without additional effort.
Designed the Projects screen as a high-level entry point into the ZC ecosystem. Instead of a static project list, each row surfaces the most important signals - market cap, price change, active proposals, governance history, and external links - helping users quickly understand which projects are active and worth exploring.
Streamlined the token creation process into a clear step-by-step flow. Grouped related inputs, reduced visual noise, and introduced a guided progression, making it easier for users to complete complex actions without confusion.
Reused common interaction models from existing DeFi products to lower the learning curve. Instead of introducing new mechanics, the design relies on patterns users already recognize, making the experience feel intuitive and reducing hesitation.
Two weeks after redesign, the updated product showed clear early traction. The new structure made core flows easier to follow, improved navigation across proposals and markets, and received strong positive feedback from users. Beyond usability gains, the redesign also helped strengthen engagement around the platform.
75% increase
Number of created proposals
$34k to $61k
Average trading volume per proposal
30+
positive reviews after redesign
