Building Trust Through Identity
When I started designing for Certenticat, I knew the biggest challenge was trust. In the Web3 space, security is everything, but so is clarity. I wanted the brand to feel secure and credible without becoming too technical or distant for the end user. Before diving into the visuals, I spent time with the founder to deeply understand the company’s mission, vision, and values. We discussed what security and authenticity meant to them and how they wanted to position themselves in the growing Web3 ecosystem. These early conversations laid the foundation for the brand design.
Logo Exploration
Based on that foundation, I began exploring how Certenticat could come to life visually. The early logo directions combined locks, shields, and cat silhouettes, each representing a different aspect of the brand: protection, identity, and personality. Some sketches used geometric Web3-inspired forms to symbolize precision and innovation, while others incorporated softer, more organic shapes to make the brand feel approachable. Iterating through these concepts helped me find the right balance between technical credibility and emotional connection.
Final Logo and Color Palette
The final logo combines a lock and a cat paw, blending security and identity into a distinctive mark that reflects Certenticat’s focus on trust and authenticity. I developed two color palettes, one for light mode and one for dark mode, built around blues, greys, and neutrals. Beyond the logo, I created a comprehensive brand book defining typography, illustration elements, and layout principles. The result was a flexible identity system that adapts seamlessly across interfaces while maintaining a clear and consistent visual language.
Designing for Flexibility
Once the brand foundation was set, I shifted my focus to the product experience. My goal was to design a system that felt consistent and responsive, whether on desktop for product creators or on mobile for users verifying authenticity.
Responsive Log In Flow
I introduced dark and light modes early to meet the needs of different environments and user preferences. The interface smoothly adapts between desktop and mobile while keeping a consistent hierarchy and tone. This step helped transform the brand’s visual identity into clear and accessible digital interactions.
Designing for the Creator
The creator side of Certenticat allows brands and manufacturers to log in, create new items, and manage their authenticated products. I started by mapping how users would navigate this process, from sign-up and onboarding to creating a new item and viewing it in their dashboard.
Dashboard Iteration 1
Dashboard Iteration 2
Early dashboard concepts used a global search and filter panel, but tests showed users preferred acting directly within the table. In the next iteration, I integrated smart control such as sorting and filtering into each column, reducing friction and helping users stay focused on their data.
From Creator to Verifier
Certenticat’s value lies in connecting both sides of authenticity, those who create the proof and those who verify it. I designed both interfaces to visually communicate that loop of trust.
End-to-End Verification Flow
Designing both sides of the system taught me how much user context shapes perception of trust. For creators, it was about control and precision, every component had to feel reliable. For verifiers, it was about instant confidence, one glance at the verification status should provide full clarity and reassurance. Bridging those two mindsets through one consistent design language became the core of the experience.
Reflection
Before Certenticat, I had designed interfaces for other Web3 startups, but this was the first time I was responsible for both brand and UX from start to finish. It made me realize how inseparable they are when it comes to building trust. Seeing everything come together in one system was deeply rewarding & yes, as someone who loves cats, the name felt like a sign :)
