We first tested the idea at NFT NYC, at a sick Perion event at Flower Shop.
They dropped some limited-edition Perion hats, and guests could scan a QR code, sign in socially, and instantly get a non-custodial wallet holding an NFT redeemable for the hat. The test? Could someone who doesn’t care what an NFT is still get one without friction?
From there, we built out the concept into a full drop platform. It never went live, but we prototyped it for biz dev pitches—including one with High Snobiety. I designed the platform to feel familiar, clean, and quietly premium—letting the brand products shine while layering in subtle gamification.
I also teed up a collab with Smart Layer to reward Perion’s top guild members with a limited drop. Users received an NFT they could unbox to reveal either a hat, tee, or hoodie—then entered shipping details to claim it IRL. It was a slick demo, good PR, and showed how utility could cut through the hype.
02_STATE was a solid idea—but we were late to the game, and others were already deep into solving this space.
Back then, working through the agency, we hadn’t fully adopted a problem-first validation mindset. It showed how easy it is to get caught up in shiny ideas without pressure-testing demand.
Still, it was a useful experiment. It highlighted how tough it is to get mainstream users to care about NFTs—and how quickly hype can overshadow actual utility.
Also, I did buy the black Off-Whites I used in the UI. They sit on my shelf next to the toys. Way too dope to wear.
Next projects.
(2016-25©)
