Quick and secure e-Signature platform on the blockchain

SquareSign

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Problem:

Blockchain technology has innovative characteristics, such as transparency, immutability, and automation, that could revolutionize how we perform everyday tasks. For example, document-sharing and digital signature on the blockchain have a multitude of benefits but are overlooked and distrusted.
**How can e-Signature on the blockchain be more widely used and user friendly?**
*Source: https://exonum.com/blog/09-27-17-digital-signature/*

Case Summary

Product Team:

UX Designer, Full-Stack Developer, Winner of ETHBoston

My Role:

UX Designer, Information Architect

Tools:

Sketch, InVision, Whimsical

Project Plan:

1 week of ideation and wireframing, 1 week of prototype development

October 2019

Interactive Prototype:

View interactive prototype here: https://invis.io/AUUUHR3R6GB

Exploration - Product Vision

Squarelink partnered with Anish Agnihotri, a winner of the ETHBoston hackathon, to conceptualize a potential product called SquareSign. Anish had originally proposed an e-Signature platform on the blockchain that utilizes Squarelink’s patented security technology. I worked with Anish to create a Proof-of-Concept, which would ultimately determine further steps for SquareSign.

Exploration - Competitive Analysis

Squarelink’s goal was to create a platform that would emulate centralized systems like HelloSign and DocuSign in order to provide an intuitive and approachable design for any type of user. I analyzed competitive advantages over key players in the centralized e-Signature market and identified a key market opportunity.

Key Competitive Advantages over centralized platforms:

1. Parallel signing of documents, meaning no delays and no need for multiple parties to sign sequentially

2. Independent verification, which means the user can verify/prove signature without accessing the document itself

3. No centralized middleman, meaning everything is free and the user has exclusive ownership of the documents and how they are processed

Based on the competitive analysis, I placed two core competencies into a matrix to identify a unique market opportunity —

a eSignature platform that:

1) supports digital objects of all sizes and formats and,

2) guarantees secure storage and management of data.

Exploration - Two Signature Scenarios

In the context of blockchain, two signature scenarios exist because it has a different cryptographic system from that of centralized platforms. Private keys encrypt the hash, or hold the signature, and public keys decrypt the hash, or provides authentication. To simplify these processes for users, the action of receiving, reviewing, and signing are all hashed by logging back into the account. Below shows the user flow for the sender and recipient, as well as login screens for each signature scenario.

User Flow for two signature scenarios. Sign #1 (View / Receive) and Sign #2 (Accept / Sign) are indicated by pink boxes.

Refinement - MVP & Site Map

The functionality of SquareSign was governed by the degree of centralization we wanted to incorporate in the platform. In other words, in centralized eSignature softwares, 3 user scenarios exist: 1) only user signs, 2) user and recipients sign, and 3) only recipients sign. We decided to eliminate the third scenario from the PoC, as it would add elements of centralization into the infrastructure.

Final Solution

Users onboard through a microsite accessible through the Squarelink website, followed by a login and walkthrough page.

Watch the video demo on Youtube for high resolution. View interactive prototype below to explore SquareSign and navigate through its features.

View Prototype

Reflection

In order for blockchain technology to be accepted and become more relevant to the general audience, we need to develop a dedicated user base who really want to use the product. To move forward with this, we must leverage blockchain’s technical benefits, and at the same time, abstract away the complexities that arise when using new technology for the first time.

Creating a PoC for SquareSign has been very exciting because it proves blockchain’s infinite potential. However, designing a decentralized product that emulates existing centralized softwares on the blockchain poses many difficulties because I must consider the optimal balance between centralized interface and decentralized experience. The next step for this project would be to usability tests and to further flesh out the functionality as a team.