POTLOCK UX Program

Problems we address

• Evolving complexity: The NEAR ecosystem is advancing quickly, but many teams lack expertise for blockchain-specific UX (e.g. chain abstraction, AI-driven interfaces).
• Limited design resources: Product designers need expert guidance to craft seamless, user-friendly experiences.
• Solo developer struggles: Many NEAR projects are led by solo devs or lean teams shipping MVPs quickly, often at the cost of UX quality.
• Subcontracting pitfalls: Outsourcing to external designers or dev shops can yield products misaligned with vision or NEAR technical requirements.
• Lack of honest feedback: Founders often don’t get genuine feedback; friends and colleagues tend to be only positive instead of constructively critical.

Objectives

• Foster a thriving ecosystem: Support 15+ NEAR projects in the next 12 months.
• Ensure high-quality standards: Help projects meet best-in-class UX and technical standards.
• Empower lean teams: Give solo founders and small teams tailored resources to launch MVPs and scale.
• Reduce barriers to mainnet: Streamline design and integration to lower cost and speed mainnet deployment.
• Inspire new founders: Equip individuals and lean teams with mentorship and tools to launch and grow.
• Leverage our experience: Provide product insight, market research, and competitive context.

Our motivations

• Building ecosystem: We focus on use cases and helping founders focus on building.
• Agile approach: We move quickly; the faster you go to market, the faster the NEAR ecosystem benefits.
• Design commitment: We’re in NEAR for the long haul; a rising tide lifts all boats. We design across DeFi, governance, stablecoins, consumer apps, marketplaces, and more.
• Comprehensive support: Beyond funding, founders need other resources to be capital efficient.

Principles

• Quick feedback and streamlined processes
• Coordinate ecosystem resources and services
• Track progress and maintain accountability
• Industry context from many projects and valuable insights

Services we provide

• Requirements facilitation: We help frame designs and requirements; technical integration is often best handled via NEAR Dev chat.
• Design support & prototyping: Mobile-responsive design and prototyping for seamless experiences.
• Expert UX reviews: Evaluations of NEAR projects—wallets, bridges, DeFi—to identify and fix usability issues.
• Innovation lab: Explore and validate blockchain UX concepts through rapid prototyping and NEAR tech stack integration.
• User research & testing: Interviews, testing sessions, and reporting.
• Data-driven insights: On-chain and off-chain analytics to measure and improve your product.
• Strategic consultation: Translate stakeholder needs into clear product requirements.
• Educational resources: Workshops, guides, and mentorship on blockchain UX.
• Community building: Training the ecosystem to give feedback aligned with design principles.
• Documentation and tutorials: User guides, PRs to open source docs, and video walkthroughs.

Program benefits

• Fast-track development: Rapid UX evaluation and design expertise to launch faster with quality.
• Cost savings: Professional design without full-time hires or expensive agencies.
• Ecosystem knowledge: Designers who understand NEAR-specific UX and multiple projects.
• User testing access: Pool of beta testers who understand Web3 interfaces.
• Networking: Community of founders and designers for collaboration.
• Higher adoption: More intuitive experiences and better retention.
• Ongoing support: Continued guidance, not just one-off consultations.
• Skill development: UX best practices for blockchain through hands-on collaboration.

How to apply

potlock.org/ux-apply — POTLOCK UX Program Application (Notion)

Step 1: Create your profile & demonstrate support

• Create a profile on POTLOCK
• Get at least $100 in donations through a campaign to demonstrate community support (all funds go directly to you)

Step 2: Submit your application

Apply at potlock.org/ux-apply with:

• Project information (stage, pain points, feedback needs)
• Technical resources (beta links, testing environments)
• Design assets (Figma, branding, templates)
• Documentation (requirements, user testing feedback, instructions)

Step 3: Amplify your request

• Tag POTLOCK on X (Twitter) with a quick tweet requesting feedback and a link to your campaign

Eligibility

Teams must have: a working MVP; a technical team ready to implement changes; social presence, branding, and landing page; content calendar and go-to-market strategy.

What happens next

After approval: a group chat is created with POTLOCK and the ecosystem designer. You’ll be added to the public UX Program: potlock.org/tg-ux-help.

How to streamline the process

Share materials based on your project stage:

• Initial concept: Project brief, vision, target audience, feature wishlist, competitive research.
• Design phase: Requirements, feature specs, Figma/design files, user flows, wireframes.
• Development: MVP scope, technical architecture, timeline, testing strategy.
• Live product: Analytics, feedback system (Canny/Notion/Intercom), reviews, metrics.
• Additional: Brand guidelines, user research, accessibility, integration docs, security.

In the meantime

• Reviewing projects and NEAR Catalog for product feedback
• Self-service and community-curated resource hubs
• Feedback University — training people to give proper feedback and analyze applications

Beta testing

LNC Bug Eye; testers via Shitzu Boost.

Future

• Design DAO ecosystem: Build out the Design DAO with different contributors.
• Regular product feedback: Weekly sync Product Feedback spaces with top PMs.
• Live feedback & testing: Feedback circles and live testing.
• Resource development: Templates, tools, and resources; work with DevHub & Founder Success on common integrations.

Based on high demand we’ll only be able to support a couple of projects per month deeply.

Frequently asked questions

What are the eligibility requirements?

Create a profile on POTLOCK, receive at least $100 in donations through a campaign, have an MVP, a technical team to implement changes, social presence with branding and landing page, and a content calendar with go-to-market strategy.

How long does design support take?

It varies. After approval, initial consultations typically begin within 1–2 weeks. Engagement can range from quick reviews (1–2 weeks) to comprehensive support (4–8 weeks).

Is this program free?

Yes. The program is subsidized by the NEAR ecosystem. You must demonstrate community support by receiving at least $100 in donations through a POTLOCK campaign; all funds go directly to your project.

Can I apply if my project is not on NEAR?

The program supports the NEAR ecosystem. If you integrate with or plan to build on NEAR, you may be eligible; projects entirely outside NEAR don’t qualify.

What happens after I submit?

Your application is reviewed. If approved, you’re added to a group chat with POTLOCK and the ecosystem designer, and to the public UX Program Telegram: potlock.org/tg-ux-help.

Can I request specific design help?

Yes. Be specific in your application—user flows, visual design, usability testing, or strategic consultation.

How do I get the most value?

Come prepared with materials by stage (see “How to streamline”), be responsive to feedback, and have your technical team ready to implement changes.

Is there ongoing support after the initial consultation?

We pipeline you to other support programs as needed. We continue to monitor progress and collect tester feedback. Through POTLOCK we can help you secure additional funding as your project evolves.