Wage is designed to be the first step for novice traders looking to learn about financial markets. Unlike traditional options like complex "paper trading" systems, jargon-filled forums, or unreliable finance gurus, Wage offers a simplified, engaging platform where aspiring traders can hone their skills and gain confidence. The product leverages competitive elements like rivalries, turf wars, and leaderboards to foster growth and curiosity about the assets that top players are trading.

As the lead product designer, I applied a comprehensive design process to bring this unique experience to life. The process began with field studies, where I gathered insights directly from potential users to understand their pain points and needs. From there, I moved into wireframing, experimenting with different patterns and structures to ensure ease of use while maintaining the competitive nature of the platform. Once the wireframes were solidified, I created high-fidelity designs that we tested in real-world environments, including during our trip to San Francisco, where user feedback helped refine the experience further.

Our design decisions were guided by the goal of providing immediate feedback to users, using leaderboards and competition to drive product engagement. This iterative, user-centric design process resulted in a product that appeals to novice traders looking to build their skills in a fun and competitive environment. We’ve since gained significant interest from VCs and are preparing to raise our seed round, while continuing to grow our community of users.