Making Crypto Staking Simple – Designing SonarX
A seamless staking experience built for clarity, consistency, and user-first design.
Role
Lead Product Designer
Industry
Blockchain | Cryptocurrency
Duration
October 2023 – March 2024
Project Overview
SonarX was a mobile app designed for crypto staking and rewards, built on the SNR coin. It was the second attempt by Chaudhry Group, a Casablanca-based startup, to establish a community of crypto stakers.
The first version struggled with complexity, unclear rewards, and technical jargon, which made it difficult for beginners to understand.
The goal of SonarX was to simplify the onboarding process, provide transparency, and create an intuitive experience for crypto newcomers while maintaining advanced features for engaged communities.
My Role in the Project
I joined Chaudhry Group as the Lead Product Designer and took charge of the entire design process, from user experience to high-fidelity UI design. Being part of a small startup team, I wore many hats and worked closely with:
• 1 Blockchain & Backend Developer
• 1 Frontend Developer
• 1 Content & Copywriter
• 1 Project Manager
• The CEO (who provided overall direction)
I had full ownership over design decisions, ensuring we built a product that was clear, functional, and user-friendly while aligning with technical and business needs.
Users & Audience
SonarX was designed for two main groups:
Crypto beginners – People who were interested in staking but found most platforms confusing or intimidating. The app had to be simple, clear, and educational.
Crypto communities – Users who wanted to take advantage of team-based staking features.
Since the app was meant for a global audience, the interface needed to be universal, easy to understand, and welcoming—no matter the user’s background.
Problem Statement
The first version of the product failed because of:
• Too much complexity – The interface was cluttered with jargon, making it hard for beginners to get started.
• Lack of transparency – Users didn’t fully understand what they were signing up for or how rewards worked.
• Inconsistent design – Without a proper design system, the experience felt disjointed and hard to scale.
The Challenges We Faced
Building a product at a startup is never smooth sailing. Here’s what we had to work around:
• Time pressure – We had only a few months, with a planned launch by March 2024.
• Tight budget – We didn’t have the funds for premium tools, so we had to get creative.
• Unclear requirements – The vision evolved as we worked, meaning constant iteration was needed.
Our Goal:
To design an app that made staking effortless for beginners while keeping it engaging and rewarding for experienced users.
How I Designed the Experience
1. Research & Understanding the Market
Since crypto was a completely new space for me, I had to learn fast. I started by:
• Analyzing existing staking apps to understand what worked (and what didn’t).
• Organizing research in Notion, taking notes on key patterns and pain points.
• Creating user personas to keep our design decisions focused on real needs.
2. Wireframing & Ideation
Once I had a solid understanding of the users, I moved to wireframing:
• Sketched out quick wireframes to get ideas down fast.
• Focused on a simple onboarding experience that explained staking without jargon.
3. Designing the UI & Defining the Visual Style
• I explored different color and typography variations to make the app feel modern yet approachable.
• After validating the designs with stakeholders, I finalized the core UI elements.
4. Building a Scalable Design System
Since consistency was an issue in the first version, I created a basic design system that ensured:
• A unified look & feel across the app.
• Easier scalability for future features.
The design system evolved over time, improving with every iteration and feedback round.
The Outcome & Key Takeaways
Even though SonarX didn’t launch due to budget constraints and management issues, the work we did had a huge impact:
✅ The usability and experience improved dramatically compared to the first version.
✅ Onboarding became smoother and more intuitive, making it easier for beginners to get started.
✅ Stakeholders and testers gave positive feedback, confirming we were solving the right problems.
What I Learned
🚀 Collaborating across different disciplines – I had never worked in crypto before, so I had to learn how to communicate effectively with blockchain developers and other specialists.
🛠️ Defending my design decisions – I got better at explaining my choices and getting buy-in from the team.
⚡ Adapting quickly in a fast-moving startup – The project evolved constantly, and I learned how to stay flexible while keeping the user experience strong.
