Introduction
At Sourceful Labs, I lead product design and creative direction across the entire suite of products - including the core iOS and Android app that powers the decentralized energy network with Solana. The mission is ambitious: to build a virtual power plant from distributed energy resources (DERs) and reward their owners for helping stabilize the grid using an SPL token.
The mobile app is critical to making this vision real. It enables DER owners to securely onboard to the network, using Phantom wallet for identity and transaction signing. Designed as a DePIN-native experience, the app bridges the gap between crypto infrastructure and physical assets with a UX that’s both intuitive and deeply technical.
Live Project
Challenges
Designing for Sourceful Labs came with a unique mix of technical and human challenges. Working with a distributed, remote-first team meant clear communication and alignment were essential to maintain momentum - especially under tight release schedules.
One of the core challenges was onboarding non-technical users into a web3-native platform. Concepts like wallets, tokens, and signing transactions with a wallet app can be intimidating, so we focused heavily on simplifying flows, reducing jargon, and designing educational moments that guide users without overwhelming them. Multi-lingual support added another layer of complexity, requiring careful attention to localization, layout adaptability, and cultural nuance.
Technical barriers were another concern - wallet integration, transaction signing, and network issues could easily derail the user experience. I worked closely with engineers to build resilient error handling and clear feedback systems, ensuring users always knew what was happening and why.
Ultimately, the goal was to create real utility and value for users. This meant obsessing over seemingly small details, like device compatibility, network onboarding steps, and how we could help users see the tangible impact of participating in an early DePIN network from day one.
