Hippo - Crypto Liquidity Aggregation
Crypto Aggregation Platform on Aptos 0 -> 1
Leading a newly founded design team and deliver a 0-1 consumer facing crypto trading web app in agile manner
30k+
Users and counting
20M
monthly trading volume at its peak
Company
Apricot Finance
My Role
Design Lead
Timeline
Jan 2022 - Jun 2022
Team
CEO; CTO; Engineers (3); Junior Designers (3)
Overview
As the design lead of a 5-person team, I helped shape Hippo, the crypto aggregation layer of the Aptos network, into a standout, user-first trading platform. From 0 to launch, I led branding, UX design, and interaction strategy in close collaboration with engineers, founders, and investors—aligning the product’s visual identity with its innovative core. I built and mentored the design team, hosted weekly design-thinking workshops, and steered end-to-end UX execution and data visualization, ultimately driving the product’s success with 30k+ users and counting.
Process and Responsibilities
We crafted an intuitive swap interface with transparent routing logic, real-time charts, and progressive settings to serve both power users and DeFi newcomers. I led the design of a cohesive system across features like portfolio tracking and transaction history, aligning with Hippo’s playful yet reliable brand. Through rapid prototyping and weekly stakeholder loops, we ensured every interaction—from wallet connection to token swap—was smooth, trustworthy, and on-brand.
Experience and Design Considerations
Rooted in interaction-first thinking, our process emphasized clarity, predictability, and feedback in every step of the user journey. We conducted rapid user testing on early prototypes to fine-tune behaviors like confirmation modals, gas fee visibility, and transaction states. By mapping user flows and edge cases collaboratively with engineers, we minimized friction while keeping the interface delightful.
Visual Design and Design System
From day one, branding was a strategic priority. Founders and investors wanted a bold, youthful identity that would stand out in the crowded crypto space and resonate with next-gen traders. I facilitated team brainstorms and feedback sessions to distill our direction, ultimately anchoring on the approachable yet playful “Hippo” persona. From there, we crafted a flexible visual identity system—including logo treatments, color palettes, and typography—that translated seamlessly across both bright and dark modes. The result was a brand that felt fresh, memorable, and unmistakably Hippo.
Growth and Learnings
This project marked a defining chapter in my growth as a design leader. Beyond guiding the team through fast-paced 0–1 execution, I focused on cultivating a shared UX language and instilling a culture of curiosity, clarity, and cross-functional collaboration. Weekly design workshops became a cornerstone for team learning, while recurring strategy syncs with engineers, PMs, the CEO, and investors helped me hone the craft of stakeholder alignment—translating product ambition into actionable, user-centered design. It was as much about building a product as it was about building a team and mindset ready to scale with it.