Case Study: Credential wallet design concepts

A digital wallet is a central location where you can keep and share credential data. Digital wallets aren’t only for payments, crypto, or NFTs, but they’re also important for managing information. As the world transitions from paper-based systems to digital, it’s important to equip users with secure wallets to manage their information. Privacy and security of user data are also important factors to consider.

Credential wallets can be confusing. Some wallets display empty screens, which can leave users unsure of what to do next and what the actual value of the application is.

The idea of carrying and sharing trusted digital records can feel abstract when it is explained through unfamiliar technology. I created these proof of concept flows to show its value through familiar, everyday moments: owning a car, planning travel, managing personal records and sharing information.

The aim was not to define a final product. It was to give people a tangible way to understand what digital credentials could make possible: records they can carry, control and share with confidence.

Imagine having all your valued assets as verified credentials in one wallet.

The below screens display the complete history of my vehicle, including the day of purchase, insurance approval, and car service info. These are all valid and verified transactions. If I want to sell my car in the future, I can easily share this history with the dealership to confirm the car’s full history. This could help reduce car and other asset theft.

You can add assets to your wallet by scanning receipt QR codes in-store or linking your bank accounts to access transaction history. The app will notify you of significant transactions, and the itemised receipt will allow you to choose which items you want to include in your asset wallet. If the seller is a verified ecosystem partner, the credential will be added to your wallet instantly.

Imagine if you had a digital backpack that held all your important documents and information, allowing you to fully utilize the benefits of SSI. What if you could arrive at the airport for an international flight and instantly apply for a visa without going through the long and tedious application process that could take weeks?

The Credential Library is divided into different categories that can be completed through gamification. Each category contains various credentials from different sources. Rather than having an empty wallet, the library guides you to the available sources where you can request credentials. By adding information, you will be guided with a list of pre-approved partners who can help you achieve your user goal.

Once you have selected the type of credential you need, you can chat with the relevant partner. They will ask you to verify your identity by sharing some personal information. In the example below, you are asked to share your medical aid account information so that the partner can load your account types.

After selecting your medical aid account, you will be prompted to approve or deny the credential request. If you approve, the credential will be automatically added to the appropriate category in your Credential Library.

We experimented with a chat-style interaction pattern to make the sometimes complex and unknown interactions of connecting and sharing credentials more familiar to the user. The chat also acts as a transaction history between yourself and a connection.

I am currently working with the ToIP Human Experience Working Group task force to explore accessible and trustworthy data exchange experiences. Our goal is to make it easier for members of our community to design and implement these experiences.