The world of Web 3 has seen explosive growth. A "renaissance" in how we view and build the web. A very similar phenomenon to the internet's early stages, where good user experience and interface practices weren't often widely considered.
Even though basic design rules still apply, we should consider other relevant and new concepts that impact our work. Gamification, Transparency, Collaboration, and Trust are some of the crucial keywords. They are more prominent now than ever.
In this post, I'll share my journey and learnings in this new "world" thus far. As designers, we should understand web stages to craft experiences thoughtfully. From the early static environments to dynamism, what makes Web 3 so different, and how can we learn from it?
The Web evolution from 1.0 to 3.0
Going back to the internet’s early days, around 1989, we land in a static environment, where users have no control over information, being mere observers — this era is known as Web 1.0.
Since then, it evolved into what we now broadly use — Web 2.0. A space where users actively create and share content, a dynamic environment. From static to dynamic, from observers to creators. You might be wondering… What's so different about Web 3.0?
The sense of community and decentralization — in response to large corporations owning large amounts of data — explain the birth of Web 3. It embodies the characteristics of blockchain, where security, openness, and fairness are the basis. A landscape where communities, not companies, are the owners… Truly fascinating.
How can Design uptake the adoption of Web 3?
Each stage of the web represented new challenges to designers — it went through early adoption until stabilizing on mass adoption. Given the new paradigm, designers are also directly responsible for how this highly technical space is perceived and built.
Web 3 is a world with many different and complex terms — DAOs, NTF, DeFi, dApp, etc. And, as designers, we ought to understand them to minimize potential communication gaps. We should try to comprehend the technology, its purpose, and use cases from a development standpoint. Speaking the same language as stakeholders will allow us to communicate better with users through our product. This balance between the nature of blockchain and humans is the most significant bridge to mass adoption, where Design plays an essential role.
