Blockchain-IoT MVP
Imagine walking into a high-end liquor store, captivated by the gleaming bottles of rare whiskey and premium cognac. Each label speaks of heritage, craftsmanship, and exclusivity. Yet, there remains an underlying question: How can you be certain of its authenticity? This was the challenge faced by a Belgian start-up I collaborated with. Their mission was clear: to create a technology-driven solution that fosters trust between luxury liquor brands and their customers.
Leveraging Blockchain and IoT technologies, we set out to build a scalable Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that would integrate Near Field Communication (NFC) tags, allowing customers to access a wealth of information about their spirits—right from their smartphones. The goal? To ensure product authenticity, track ownership, and enhance customer engagement in ways never seen before in the liquor industry.
Building this innovative solution wasn’t without its hurdles. One of the biggest challenges we faced was structuring complex product and ownership data efficiently while ensuring it remained accessible and user-friendly. Blockchain transactions, IoT interactions, and high-resolution product information had to be structured into an intuitive user experience, all while adhering to industry standards for data privacy and security.
Additionally, the system had to seamlessly support a growing user base while offering a smooth interface for both casual consumers and serious collectors. To tackle this, I designed a robust, scalable design system that catered to multiple stakeholders, balancing visual clarity with powerful backend integration.
To manage the complexity, I implemented a design-first approach, creating a developer-friendly and user-centric system that enabled fast iteration and scalability. The core of the system relied on:
Customers could tap their smartphones on the NFC-enabled bottle seal and instantly access verified data about:
Using blockchain’s transparent ledger, users could seamlessly track and manage their bottle collections:
Customers could transfer bottle ownership securely using an email-based transfer system, with options for bulk transfers for collectors and distributors.
"Our goal was to forge a secure and transparent relationship between luxury liquor brands and their customers. Thanks to a fantastic team, we achieved that goal and set a new standard in the industry."
― Mr. M. R., CEO and Co-Founder
This project was a game-changer in the high-end liquor industry. By combining cutting-edge technology with a customer-first design approach, we created a product that bridged the physical and digital worlds seamlessly.
Beyond just designing a system, I played a crucial role in shaping the user experience, design processes, and team growth, ensuring the platform could scale and evolve with future industry needs.
