Project Overview

Summary: durian is a decentralised, mobile-first perpetuals trading platform built by Bounce Finance. I was responsible for designing an intuitive, tap-swipe interface that simplifies complex DeFi interactions. My focus was on mobile UX, gamified engagement, and translating on-chain mechanics into a seamless user experience.

The Challenge

How might we make perpetuals trading feel fun, approachable, and rewarding—without losing the power and precision that advanced users expect?

durian isn’t just another DeFi trading tool—it was designed to reframe trading as a smooth, mobile-first experience with playful energy and immediate feedback. The goal was to shift perceptions: from intimidating and technical, to engaging and addictive in a good way.

Research & Insights

Personas

Confident Trader

Looks for speed, control, and performance tracking.

Curious Newcomer

Motivated by rewards, ease of entry, and gamified interactions.

Key Observations from Product Team & Community Feedback:

• Long-form trading flows reduce retention on mobile.

• Playful design and immediate gratification (e.g., point systems) improve engagement.

• Clarity in feedback (e.g., PnL, success states) builds trust with newer users.

Design Goals

• Prioritise mobile-first usability

• Minimise taps to trade

• Create a lightweight, fun UI without sacrificing trust

• Seamlessly integrate durian points (reward system)

• Enable fast, real-time interactions with on-chain data

From Idea to Interaction

Information Architecture

Simplified flows: Trade > Confirm > Track

Sticky CTAs, minimal depth, swipeable modules

Wireframes & Prototyping

Sketched quick win flows for tap-based trading

Created mid-fi and hi-fi prototypes in Figma

Visual Design

Bold typography, clear icons, neutral palette with energetic accents

Real-time PnL indicators, live price updates

Crafting the Look & Feel

Initial designs came across as rather wireframe-like hence we decided to do a UI overhaul. Visual hierarchy was not obvious enough in terms of both typography and the colour palette The colour palette was completely revamped and cute gamified interactions were introduced. An adorable durian mascot was added for better brand recognition as well.

What Makes Durian Work

• Mobile-first trade flow optimised for swipe/tap gestures

• Real-time feedback on trades, PnL, and market status

• Durian Points system gamifies interaction and rewards activity

• Responsive UI with frictionless wallet connectivity

  
  

The Results

• ~3,000 users onboarded

• ~$247M in trading volume (as of May 2025)

• High retention driven by gamified design and ease-of-use

• Positive feedback on clarity, speed, and overall experience

  
  

Reflections

This project deepened my experience designing for performance-driven, mobile-first Web3 applications. It challenged me to reduce complexity without dumbing down powerful features. The final result was a fast, responsive trading interface that aligns with the Bounce brand while offering a fresh, engaging experience in the perpetuals space.