Palomar
Feb - May 2022Palomar is a writing service for creators. It enables users to cross-reference each other's articles and generate earnings through these references.
Partnership with Matters.news
Partnership with Matters.news
01 Background
Matters.news, one of the largest web3 publishing platforms, has 100,000 creators and attracts 6 million monthly page views. They have sought assistance to promote the concept that "creativity has a price" and to explore alternative payment plans for their platform.
What is web3?
In Web1 and Web2, all data is stored on a central server, leading to various issues such as information cocooning and limited creative freedom. To put it simply, Web3 envisions new possibilities by storing data in a decentralized manner. In the past few years, several Web3 platforms have been created to differentiate themselves from the existing Web2 advertising-based business model.
What is web3?
In Web1 and Web2, all data is stored on a central server, leading to various issues such as information cocooning and limited creative freedom. To put it simply, Web3 envisions new possibilities by storing data in a decentralized manner. In the past few years, several Web3 platforms have been created to differentiate themselves from the existing Web2 advertising-based business model.
02 Research
Having developed a subscription service, the team at matters.news is now contemplating whether this payment model is appropriate for all content creators.
Following a meeting with their team, three main challenges were identified:
- an unclear payment plan
- a limited user base
- uncertainty regarding the community's needs and preferences.
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These three factors are closely interrelated and are crucial for the success of a web3 content platform.
Based on the meeting with the team, I proceeded to conduct user research.
Research Objectives:
Following a meeting with their team, three main challenges were identified:
- an unclear payment plan
- a limited user base
- uncertainty regarding the community's needs and preferences.
Based on the meeting with the team, I proceeded to conduct user research.
Research Objectives:
- Creators and consumers experience on the subscription service in general
- To understand creator's creation process, both daily and career perspective
Research methods:
1. Evaluate the current questionnaire:
The data questionnaire was completed by regular users of the platform, with a total of 191 participants. Among these users, 18 individuals, are operating a subscription service, while the remaining 92 individuals identify as content creators.
2. User interview:
a total of 10 participants, including 5 creators and 5 content consumers
3. Desk research:
Outcomes
1. Evaluate the current questionnaire:
The data questionnaire was completed by regular users of the platform, with a total of 191 participants. Among these users, 18 individuals, are operating a subscription service, while the remaining 92 individuals identify as content creators.
2. User interview:
a total of 10 participants, including 5 creators and 5 content consumers
3. Desk research:
- Observing the journey of current subscriptions on matters.news.
- Analyzing articles where people share their experiences on the website.
Outcomes
- User journey
- daily creation journey
- on platform journey
- career development journey
- Personas
03 Research Insight
The main concern for content consumers is the lack of diverse content
After examining the questionnaire responses, it became evident that the primary issue for content consumers is the insufficient variety of content available. The survey also highlighted that there is a significant overlap in the identities of users who engage in both writing and reading. Therefore, our main focus should be on incentivizing and inspiring more creators to produce content.
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As creators grow, their perspective on revenue and community undergoes significant shifts
We summarized three stages of the creator's career journey, and it became evident that small creators often grapple with a feeling of not deserving payment.
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After examining the questionnaire responses, it became evident that the primary issue for content consumers is the insufficient variety of content available. The survey also highlighted that there is a significant overlap in the identities of users who engage in both writing and reading. Therefore, our main focus should be on incentivizing and inspiring more creators to produce content.
As creators grow, their perspective on revenue and community undergoes significant shifts
We summarized three stages of the creator's career journey, and it became evident that small creators often grapple with a feeling of not deserving payment.
After observing the vibrant writer community on Matters, and engaging in extensive discussions, we have come to a conclusion: To establish a strong foundation for the payment service, the core solution lies in fostering the writer's community and empowering them to produce even more content.
How might we...
design a payment mechanism
that will reward small creators,
and foster a strong creator’s community?
04 Solution
Based on the HMW question, I proposed a concept:
“Links as tokens”
+ On this platform, creators can publish articles within specific topics and each topic will have an initial pool of funds.
+ Creators who post within a topic will receive a share of tokens as basic income.
+ When an article is linked to other articles, creators will receive additional tokens as a reward. Readers can also support topics by donating tokens.
Tokens is a representation of account weighting and a record of a user's contribution to the platform. Creators can also redeem the tokens for cash in the future.
“Links as tokens”
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+ On this platform, creators can publish articles within specific topics and each topic will have an initial pool of funds. 
+ Creators who post within a topic will receive a share of tokens as basic income.
+ When an article is linked to other articles, creators will receive additional tokens as a reward. Readers can also support topics by donating tokens.
Tokens is a representation of account weighting and a record of a user's contribution to the platform. Creators can also redeem the tokens for cash in the future.
Story board
Here is the story of creator Lily and content consumer John.
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Here is the story of creator Lily and content consumer John.
05 Introducing Palomar
High-fidelity interface
The feed page features a navigation panel on the left, a central feed, and recommended topics on the right. This layout allows users to conveniently browse their subscribed content and explore additional content offerings.
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While reading a paragraph, users have the convenience of viewing article links on the right-hand side, enabling them to effortlessly navigate to the original articles.
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Users can use writing editors to write their articles easily. They can use the search bar within the editor to access the contents they have previously saved online. This allows them to seamlessly link relevant saved materials to the article they are currently writing.
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While reading articles, users are able to save materials by selecting the text. The saved content will be displayed on the "Saved" page for easy access.
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Within the asset page, users can conveniently review their assets. Upon initial access, they will immediately view their total assets along with a summary of their income and support over a specific time period. Below this, they will find the top earned topics and articles. Additionally, users have the ability to review their transaction history for a comprehensive overview of their financial activities.
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The user's profile page displays personal information, allowing users to view their subscribers and followers, as well as access their published articles and topics in which they have participated.![]()
Prototype
The homepage is designed to provide customers with a clear understanding of the value offered by Palomar. Upon user login, they gain access to the feed page where a collection of articles is displayed. Clicking on any of these articles will lead them to the corresponding detailed page.![]()
While reading articles, users have the option to save the content by selecting it. Once saved, this material will be displayed on the saved page. Additionally, users can link the saved content to the drafts they are currently writing.![]()
Within the writing editor, users can search to access previously saved materials. This functionality enables them to find and link relevant saved content directly into the writing editor for easy referencing and inclusion in their current work.
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Try out the prototype in Figma︎︎︎
The feed page features a navigation panel on the left, a central feed, and recommended topics on the right. This layout allows users to conveniently browse their subscribed content and explore additional content offerings.
While reading a paragraph, users have the convenience of viewing article links on the right-hand side, enabling them to effortlessly navigate to the original articles.
Users can use writing editors to write their articles easily. They can use the search bar within the editor to access the contents they have previously saved online. This allows them to seamlessly link relevant saved materials to the article they are currently writing.
While reading articles, users are able to save materials by selecting the text. The saved content will be displayed on the "Saved" page for easy access.
Within the asset page, users can conveniently review their assets. Upon initial access, they will immediately view their total assets along with a summary of their income and support over a specific time period. Below this, they will find the top earned topics and articles. Additionally, users have the ability to review their transaction history for a comprehensive overview of their financial activities.
The user's profile page displays personal information, allowing users to view their subscribers and followers, as well as access their published articles and topics in which they have participated.
Prototype
The homepage is designed to provide customers with a clear understanding of the value offered by Palomar. Upon user login, they gain access to the feed page where a collection of articles is displayed. Clicking on any of these articles will lead them to the corresponding detailed page.
While reading articles, users have the option to save the content by selecting it. Once saved, this material will be displayed on the saved page. Additionally, users can link the saved content to the drafts they are currently writing.
Within the writing editor, users can search to access previously saved materials. This functionality enables them to find and link relevant saved content directly into the writing editor for easy referencing and inclusion in their current work.
Try out the prototype in Figma︎︎︎
Information architecture
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Wireframe![]()
UI elements
The website strives to provide a minimalistic and uncluttered interface, allowing users to concentrate, read, and navigate without distractions.
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Wireframe
UI elements
The website strives to provide a minimalistic and uncluttered interface, allowing users to concentrate, read, and navigate without distractions.
06 Validation
To further validate the concept, I held a online workshop to test the basic functionality of the product. Participants are 7 writers who have written on Matters, and they have different creative habits.
The workshop is designed to have 6 steps:
1. Preparation: Before the workshop start, writers were asked to write around topics and link each other’s content
2. Ice break: Creators share about their experience using the hashtag/topics on Matters.
3. Read, write, and link: We will lead participants to read, write and link
4. Donate: Readers can donate tokens at the same time
5. Token distribution: Tokens are assigned based on the final data
6. Discussion: Participants are encouraged to discuss about the experiences
Some useful feedback are collected from users. Their feedback has confirmed the concept and will be taken into account in future designs.
