Aerodrome Finance - Part I
Aerodrome Finance - Part I
Trading Without Friction:
Redesigning Aerodrome for Reliability & Safety
Trading Without Friction:
Redesigning Aerodrome for Reliability & Safety
Trading Without Friction:
Redesigning Aerodrome for Reliability & Safety
Trading Without Friction: Redesigning Aerodrome for Reliability & Safety
Solo Project
User Research
UI Design
Timeline
4 Weeks
Sector
Cryptocurrency
Decentralised Exchange (DEX)
Overview
As a crypto enthusiast and UX designer, I explored Aerodrome Finance while researching high-potential tokens. Drawn by its low fees and decentralisation on BASE, I tried its DEX but faced frustrating transaction issues. This sparked a design exploration to improve its usability and create a more seamless trading experience.
As a crypto enthusiast and UX designer, I explored Aerodrome Finance while researching high-potential tokens. Drawn by its low fees and decentralisation on BASE, I tried its DEX but faced frustrating transaction issues. This sparked a design exploration to improve its usability and create a more seamless trading experience.
As a crypto enthusiast and UX designer, I explored Aerodrome Finance while researching high-potential tokens. Drawn by its low fees and decentralisation on BASE, I tried its DEX but faced frustrating transaction issues. This sparked a design exploration to improve its usability and create a more seamless trading experience.
CONTEXT
Decentralised Exchange on BASE network
Decentralised Exchange on BASE network
Decentralised Exchange on BASE network
What is Aerodrome Finance?
What is Aerodrome Finance?
What is Aerodrome Finance?
Aerodrome Finance is a decentralised exchange (DEX) on Base, offering low-cost token swaps, liquidity provision, and staking.
Aerodrome Finance is a decentralised exchange (DEX) on Base, offering low-cost token swaps, liquidity provision, and staking.
Aerodrome Finance is a decentralised exchange (DEX) on Base, offering low-cost token swaps, liquidity provision, and staking.
Current Aerodrome Finance DEX
THE PROBLEM
Transaction Errors & Unresponsiveness
Transaction Errors & Unresponsiveness
Transaction Errors & Unresponsiveness
Key Pain Points
Key Pain Points
Key Pain Points
While using Aerodrome, I faced multiple issues that made completing a swap unnecessarily difficult.
While using Aerodrome, I faced multiple issues that made completing a swap unnecessarily difficult.
Unresponsive Interface
Unresponsive Interface
The platform often became stuck during key interactions.
Frequent Transaction Failures
Frequent Transaction Failures
Many transactions failed with no clear explanation. Platform still charges gas fee.
Lack of Feedback
Lack of Feedback
There was no indication when transaction succeeded or why it failed.
Not Beginner-Friendly
Not Beginner-Friendly
No guidance on bridging requirements, making it tough for new users.
RESEARCH APPROACH
Validating the UX Issues
Validating the UX Issues
Validating the UX Issues
Research Planning
Research Planning
Research Planning
To validate these challenges and ensure my experience wasn’t biased or unique, I conducted a structured research process:
To validate these challenges and ensure my experience wasn’t biased or unique, I conducted a structured research process:
To validate these challenges and ensure my experience wasn’t biased or unique, I conducted a structured research process:
Usability Testing
Reviewed discussions on Reddit forums.
Identified common user complaints and recurring issues.
Community Feedback Analysis
Observed another user attempting a swap on Aerodrome.
Noted their pain points, confusion, and friction points in the process.
Data Analysis
Create SQL query on Dune Analytics to assess transaction success rates.
Analysed how often these issues occured.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Similar Trends of Transaction Failures, Unclear Error Feedback, and Trade Safety Issues
Similar Trends of Transaction Failures, Unclear Error Feedback, and Trade Safety Issues
Similar Trends of Transaction Failures, Unclear Error Feedback, and Trade Safety Issues
Usability Test Insights
Usability Test Insights
Usability Test Insights
I conducted a usability test with a participant who had no prior experience with decentralised exchanges, simulating a real-world first-time user. The focus was on the transaction flow—specifically swapping tokens.
From the usability test observation, the participant faced similar struggles to mine, here are some key findings:
I conducted a usability test with a participant who had no prior experience with decentralised exchanges, simulating a real-world first-time user. The focus was on the transaction flow—specifically swapping tokens.
From the usability test observation, the participant faced similar struggles to mine, here are some key findings:
I conducted a usability test with a participant who had no prior experience with decentralised exchanges, simulating a real-world first-time user. The focus was on the transaction flow—specifically swapping tokens.
From the usability test observation, the participant faced similar struggles to mine, here are some key findings:
1 Participant
1 Participant
No. of Participant
No. of Participant
No DEX Experience
No DEX Experience
Criteria
Criteria
Remote Moderate
Remote Moderate
Method
Method
1 Participant
No. of Participant
No DEX Experience
Criteria
Remote Moderate
Method
Community Feedback Analysis
Community Feedback Analysis
Community Feedback Analysis
Due to the small usability test sample, I analysed Reddit discussions to validate findings. The research confirmed recurring frustrations, aligning with test results, and highlighted additional issues like the need for advanced trading features and poor mobile experience.
Due to the small usability test sample, I analysed Reddit discussions to validate findings. The research confirmed recurring frustrations, aligning with test results, and highlighted additional issues like the need for advanced trading features and poor mobile experience.
Due to the small usability test sample, I analysed Reddit discussions to validate findings. The research confirmed recurring frustrations, aligning with test results, and highlighted additional issues like the need for advanced trading features and poor mobile experience.
Demand for Advanced Trading Tools
Demand for Advanced Trading Tools
Demand for Advanced Trading Tools
Users prefer platforms with Limit Orders or Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) features.
Poor Mobile Experience
Poor Mobile Experience
Poor Mobile Experience
The mobile UI feels clunky and unoptimised, making transactions frustrating.
Image above shows affinity mapping of findings found from Reddit feedback analysis
How often does these issues occured?
How often does these issues occured?
How often does these issues occured?
To understand the scale and frequency of transaction failures on Aerodrome, I used Dune Analytics to analyse transaction success rates. The data confirmed a systemic issue:
To understand the scale and frequency of transaction failures on Aerodrome, I used Dune Analytics to analyse transaction success rates. The data confirmed a systemic issue:
To understand the scale and frequency of transaction failures on Aerodrome, I used Dune Analytics to analyse transaction success rates. The data confirmed a systemic issue:
While failure rates fluctuated, the platform showed a persistent pattern of transaction failures, indicating ongoing reliability issues.
While failure rates fluctuated, the platform showed a persistent pattern of transaction failures, indicating ongoing reliability issues.
While failure rates fluctuated, the platform showed a persistent pattern of transaction failures, indicating ongoing reliability issues.
Consistent failures erode user trust and increase the risk of users migrating to more reliable platforms.
Consistent failures erode user trust and increase the risk of users migrating to more reliable platforms.
Consistent failures erode user trust and increase the risk of users migrating to more reliable platforms.
31% Transaction Failure
31% Transaction Failure
In October, transaction failures peaked at 31%, with 8,459 failed transactions out of 26,948 total transactions.
Above image displays a 6-month overview of Aerodrome's transaction success rates
PROBLEM FRAMING
Problem Framing: Defining the Challenge
Problem Framing: Defining the Challenge
Problem Framing: Defining the Challenge
"Aerodrome users face multiple challenges that impact transaction success, trade safety, and overall usability. While these issues vary in severity, they contribute to frustration, user drop-off, and inefficient trading experiences."
"Aerodrome users face multiple challenges that impact transaction success, trade safety, and overall usability. While these issues vary in severity, they contribute to frustration, user drop-off, and inefficient trading experiences."
"Aerodrome users face multiple challenges that impact transaction success, trade safety, and overall usability. While these issues vary in severity, they contribute to frustration, user drop-off, and inefficient trading experiences."
Key challenges include
Key challenges include
Key challenges include
Transaction Failures
Transaction Failures
Transaction Failures
High failure rates disrupt trading. Unclear error feedback
Unresponsive Interface
Unresponsive Interface
Unresponsive Interface
Swap process stalls, leaving users uncertain
Lack of Guidance
Lack of Guidance
Lack of Guidance
On bridging, slippage risks, and token safety
Limited Trade Safety Tools
Limited Trade Safety Tools
Limited Trade Safety Tools
Limited trade safety tools such as price impact warning
Missing Advanced Trading Features
Missing Advanced Trading Features
Missing Advanced Trading Features
Such as limit orders and DCA
PROBLEM PRIORITISATION
Addressing Core Usability Issues First
Addressing Core Usability Issues First
Addressing Core Usability Issues First
Prioritisation base on Criticality
Prioritisation base on Criticality
Prioritisation base on Criticality
To tackle Aerodrome’s UX challenges effectively, I categorised issues into three tiers based on their impact on usability and trading experience. This prioritisation ensures that critical functionality is stabilised first, while secondary improvements enhance user experience over time.
To tackle Aerodrome’s UX challenges effectively, I categorised issues into three tiers based on their impact on usability and trading experience. This prioritisation ensures that critical functionality is stabilised first, while secondary improvements enhance user experience over time.
To tackle Aerodrome’s UX challenges effectively, I categorised issues into three tiers based on their impact on usability and trading experience. This prioritisation ensures that critical functionality is stabilised first, while secondary improvements enhance user experience over time.
For this case study, I focused on resolving Must Fix and Should Fix issues first, as they directly affect platform usability, security, and onboarding.
For this case study, I focused on resolving Must Fix and Should Fix issues first, as they directly affect platform usability, security, and onboarding.
For this case study, I focused on resolving Must Fix and Should Fix issues first, as they directly affect platform usability, security, and onboarding.
01
Must Fix – Blocks Core Functionality
Frequent Transaction Failures – High failure rates disrupt trading.
Unresponsive Interface – Swap process stalls, leaving users uncertain.
No Error Feedback – Users don’t know why transactions fail or how to fix them.
Frequent Transaction Failures – High failure rates disrupt trading.
Unresponsive Interface – Swap process stalls, leaving users uncertain.
No Error Feedback – Users don’t know why transactions fail or how to fix them.
02
Should Fix – Key for Onboarding & Trade Safety
No Guidance on Bridging Tokens – New users struggle to start.
Missing Price Impact Warnings – No visibility on slippage risks.
Weak Token Risk Warnings – Lack of liquidity and security insights.
No Guidance on Bridging Tokens – New users struggle to start.
Missing Price Impact Warnings – No visibility on slippage risks.
Weak Token Risk Warnings – Lack of liquidity and security insights.
03
Nice-to-Have – Improves Trading Experience
No Token Historical Price Data – Limits trade analysis.
No Advanced Trading Features (Limit Orders, DCA) – Lacks strategic options.
Poor Mobile UX – Clunky and frustrating to use.
No Token Historical Price Data – Limits trade analysis.
No Advanced Trading Features (Limit Orders, DCA) – Lacks strategic options.
Poor Mobile UX – Clunky and frustrating to use.
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
How Competitors Address These Challenges
How Competitors Address These Challenges
How Competitors Address These Challenges
Addressing Usability & Trade Safety
Addressing Usability & Trade Safety
Addressing Usability & Trade Safety
To improve Aerodrome’s usability, onboarding, and trading experience, I analysed how leading decentralised exchanges address common user pain points. The focus was on:
To improve Aerodrome’s usability, onboarding, and trading experience, I analysed how leading decentralised exchanges address common user pain points. The focus was on:
To improve Aerodrome’s usability, onboarding, and trading experience, I analysed how leading decentralised exchanges address common user pain points. The focus was on:
Error Handling & Transaction Feedback
Error Handling & Transaction Feedback
Error Handling & Transaction Feedback
How platforms communicate transaction failures and guide users.
Onboarding
Onboarding
Onboarding
How they educate users on bridging or network requirement
Trade Safety
Trade Safety
Trade Safety
How platform warn and protect users from risks like high price impact and unsafe tokens.
Uniswap
Error Handling
Clearly explains transaction failures, suggests fixes, prevents fund loss from network fees, and provides detailed support documentation.
Bridging Guidance
Provides a built-in cross-chain bridge for seamless token transfers, reducing complexity.
Opportunity
Not applicable to Aerodrome, as it only supports Base.
Trading Safety
Warns users about token fees, unsafe assets, and high slippage risks before confirming transactions.
Opportunity
Could recommend optimal slippage settings for successful trades.
Pancake Swap
Error Handling
Provides clear failure reasons and a support page explaining error codes with solutions.
Opportunity
Show next steps in error modals and simplify error codes for better user understanding.
Bridging Guidance
Offers an in-app bridge for seamless token transfers, removing the need for third-party services.
Opportunity
Expand token support and provide clear guidance on bridging benefits to educate users and build trust.
Trading Safety
Allows importing unlisted tokens for autonomy; displays slippage and price impact with adjustable settings.
Opportunity
Add token risk indicators (e.g., high fees, low liquidity) and offer quick guidance on slippage and price impact.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Competitor insights shaped my approach to error handling and trade safety:
Competitor insights shaped my approach to error handling and trade safety:
Competitor insights shaped my approach to error handling and trade safety:
Clear error messaging
Clear error messaging
Clear error messaging
improves transaction success by providing reasons and resolutions
Trade safety warnings
Trade safety warnings
Trade safety warnings
vary, but better clarity enhances user trust
Bridging guidance is missing
Bridging guidance is missing
Bridging guidance is missing
presenting an opportunity to improve onboarding
These findings guided my solutions for better transaction feedback, risk alerts, and user education. 🚀
These findings guided my solutions for better transaction feedback, risk alerts, and user education. 🚀
These findings guided my solutions for better transaction feedback, risk alerts, and user education. 🚀
IDEATIONS
Exploring Solutions: Early Sketches & Concepts
Exploring Solutions: Early Sketches & Concepts
Exploring Solutions: Early Sketches & Concepts
By addressing failure points, trade risks, and onboarding gaps, I structured my approach around prevention, clear guidance, and user education.
By addressing failure points, trade risks, and onboarding gaps, I structured my approach around prevention, clear guidance, and user education.
By addressing failure points, trade risks, and onboarding gaps, I structured my approach around prevention, clear guidance, and user education.
Transaction Reliability
Transaction Reliability
Transaction Reliability
I pinpointed five key reasons why transactions fail, including outdated quotes and incorrect slippage settings.
I pinpointed five key reasons why transactions fail, including outdated quotes and incorrect slippage settings.
I pinpointed five key reasons why transactions fail, including outdated quotes and incorrect slippage settings.
Enhancing Trade Safety &
Educating New Users
Enhancing Trade Safety &
Educating New Users
Enhancing Trade Safety &
Educating New Users
To ensure a safer and smoother trading experience, I focused on two key areas: protecting users from high-risk trades and educating new users on platform requirements.
To ensure a safer and smoother trading experience, I focused on two key areas: protecting users from high-risk trades and educating new users on platform requirements.
To ensure a safer and smoother trading experience, I focused on two key areas: protecting users from high-risk trades and educating new users on platform requirements.
PROTOTYPING
From Sketches to High-Fidelity Prototypes
From Sketches to High-Fidelity Prototypes
From Sketches to High-Fidelity Prototypes
With the core solutions sketched out, I refined them into high-fidelity prototypes to ensure better usability, clarity, and integration within Aerodrome’s existing design system. My focus was on creating a seamless transaction experience, reducing failures, and keeping users informed throughout the process.
With the core solutions sketched out, I refined them into high-fidelity prototypes to ensure better usability, clarity, and integration within Aerodrome’s existing design system. My focus was on creating a seamless transaction experience, reducing failures, and keeping users informed throughout the process.
With the core solutions sketched out, I refined them into high-fidelity prototypes to ensure better usability, clarity, and integration within Aerodrome’s existing design system. My focus was on creating a seamless transaction experience, reducing failures, and keeping users informed throughout the process.
Improving Transaction Reliability
Improving Transaction Reliability
Improving Transaction Reliability
The first key improvement was Transaction Reliability, ensuring users can complete swaps successfully with minimal friction. Below, I break down the existing pain points and how the redesign improves the overall experience.
The first key improvement was Transaction Reliability, ensuring users can complete swaps successfully with minimal friction. Below, I break down the existing pain points and how the redesign improves the overall experience.
The first key improvement was Transaction Reliability, ensuring users can complete swaps successfully with minimal friction. Below, I break down the existing pain points and how the redesign improves the overall experience.
Enhancing Trade Safety
Enhancing Trade Safety
Enhancing Trade Safety
The second key improvement focused on protecting users from unexpected risks and losses. Below, I outline the pain points and how the redesign mitigates high price impact trades, hidden token risks, and unsafe transactions.
The second key improvement focused on protecting users from unexpected risks and losses. Below, I outline the pain points and how the redesign mitigates high price impact trades, hidden token risks, and unsafe transactions.
The second key improvement focused on protecting users from unexpected risks and losses. Below, I outline the pain points and how the redesign mitigates high price impact trades, hidden token risks, and unsafe transactions.
Educating Users Through Onboarding
Educating Users Through Onboarding
Educating Users Through Onboarding
The third key improvement focused on helping new users navigate Aerodrome with ease. Many struggled with network requirements, bridging, and platform features, leading to confusion and failed transactions.
The third key improvement focused on helping new users navigate Aerodrome with ease. Many struggled with network requirements, bridging, and platform features, leading to confusion and failed transactions.
The third key improvement focused on helping new users navigate Aerodrome with ease. Many struggled with network requirements, bridging, and platform features, leading to confusion and failed transactions.
VALIDATION
Usability Testing to Assess Redesign Effectiveness
Usability Testing to Assess Redesign Effectiveness
Usability Testing to Assess Redesign Effectiveness
Test Criteria
Test Criteria
Test Criteria
To evaluate the redesign, I conducted usability testing with three participants, focusing on:
To evaluate the redesign, I conducted usability testing with three participants, focusing on:
To evaluate the redesign, I conducted usability testing with three participants, focusing on:
Transaction Reliability & Error Handling
Transaction Reliability & Error Handling
Transaction Reliability & Error Handling
Can users understand and resolve failed transactions?
Trade Safety Features
Trade Safety Features
Trade Safety Features
Do users recognise and assess risks before executing trades?
Onboarding & Platform Understanding
Onboarding & Platform Understanding
Onboarding & Platform Understanding
Can users grasp network requirements and platform mechanics?
Key Findings
Key Findings
Key Findings
These insights helped refine error feedback, risk warnings, and trade visibility for a smoother user experience. 🚀
These insights helped refine error feedback, risk warnings, and trade visibility for a smoother user experience. 🚀
These insights helped refine error feedback, risk warnings, and trade visibility for a smoother user experience. 🚀
✅
Users successfully completed tasks and understood error resolution steps.
Users successfully completed tasks and understood error resolution steps.
Users successfully completed tasks and understood error resolution steps.
However, some areas needed refinement:
Unclear Error Messages & Disabled Buttons
Unclear Error Messages & Disabled Buttons
Unclear Error Messages & Disabled Buttons
Users found disabled buttons (e.g., insufficient USDC balance) hard to notice and wanted clearer explanations.
Slippage Warnings Need More Context
Slippage Warnings Need More Context
Slippage Warnings Need More Context
Users preferred immediate, descriptive warnings instead of having to click for details.
Price Impact & Safe Mode Guidance
Price Impact & Safe Mode Guidance
Price Impact & Safe Mode Guidance
Users wanted high-risk trade warnings upfront and clearer guidance when disabling Safe Mode.
THE SOLUTION
Final Solution & Impact
Final Solution & Impact
Final Solution & Impact
View Prototype Here
By focusing on transaction reliability, trade safety, and user education, I redesigned key aspects of the platform to reduce failed swaps, prevent risky trades, and improve onboarding. Below is the final solution, showcasing how these improvements create a more seamless and informed trading experience.
By focusing on transaction reliability, trade safety, and user education, I redesigned key aspects of the platform to reduce failed swaps, prevent risky trades, and improve onboarding. Below is the final solution, showcasing how these improvements create a more seamless and informed trading experience.
By focusing on transaction reliability, trade safety, and user education, I redesigned key aspects of the platform to reduce failed swaps, prevent risky trades, and improve onboarding. Below is the final solution, showcasing how these improvements create a more seamless and informed trading experience.
Transaction Reliability
Transaction Reliability
Transaction Reliability
Reduced failed swaps by implementing auto-refreshing quotes, early gas fee and liquidity checks, slippage warnings, and clear failure messages.
Reduced failed swaps by implementing auto-refreshing quotes, early gas fee and liquidity checks, slippage warnings, and clear failure messages.
Reduced failed swaps by implementing auto-refreshing quotes, early gas fee and liquidity checks, slippage warnings, and clear failure messages.
Trade Safety
Trade Safety
Trade Safety
Ensured users understand and control risks with price impact warnings, slippage visibility, and token safety alerts.
Ensured users understand and control risks with price impact warnings, slippage visibility, and token safety alerts.
Ensured users understand and control risks with price impact warnings, slippage visibility, and token safety alerts.
User Education & Onboarding
User Education & Onboarding
User Education & Onboarding
Streamlined onboarding with clear guidance on network requirements, bridging, and platform features.
Streamlined onboarding with clear guidance on network requirements, bridging, and platform features.
Streamlined onboarding with clear guidance on network requirements, bridging, and platform features.
REFLECTION
Key Learnings & Outcomes
Key Learnings & Outcomes
Key Learnings & Outcomes
This project reinforced the importance of prioritisation in tackling usability issues. Initially, I focused on "Nice-to-Have" improvements, but shifting my approach to Must-Fix problems had a far greater impact on the platform’s core functionality.
This project reinforced the importance of prioritisation in tackling usability issues. Initially, I focused on "Nice-to-Have" improvements, but shifting my approach to Must-Fix problems had a far greater impact on the platform’s core functionality.
This project reinforced the importance of prioritisation in tackling usability issues. Initially, I focused on "Nice-to-Have" improvements, but shifting my approach to Must-Fix problems had a far greater impact on the platform’s core functionality.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Prioritise Critical Issues First
Prioritise Critical Issues First
Prioritise Critical Issues First
Fixing transaction failures, risk warnings, and onboarding gaps improved overall user confidence and trust.
Balance Usability & Enhancements
Balance Usability & Enhancements
Balance Usability & Enhancements
Laying a strong foundation before introducing new features ensures long-term scalability.
Stay User-Centric
Stay User-Centric
Stay User-Centric
Addressing real user pain points led to clearer trade execution, better guidance, and a frictionless experience.
Good design isn’t just about adding new features—it’s about making the fundamentals work flawlessly first. 🚀
Good design isn’t just about adding new features—it’s about making the fundamentals work flawlessly first. 🚀
Good design isn’t just about adding new features—it’s about making the fundamentals work flawlessly first. 🚀
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