The traditional art market often relies heavily on artist reputation and name recognition, creating bias in how collectors value artwork. At UltraDAO, we identified an opportunity to challenge this paradigm and create a more equitable collecting experience that would put the focus back on the art itself.
As the product owner, I was tasked with designing and implementing a novel art collection format that would eliminate preconceptions about artists while maintaining engagement over an extended period. The challenge was to create both technical infrastructure and community excitement for an entirely new way of collecting art.
I developed a unique twelve-day format where collectors could mint one anonymous artwork daily, with the artists' identities hidden until the end. I built a custom smart contract that managed daily art releases, mint passes, random artwork assignment, and timed reveals while optimizing for low transaction costs. The system included a strategic swapping mechanism where collectors could exchange their piece for future days' works, but couldn't swap back - creating engaging game theory dynamics. The user interface was designed with minimalism in mind, featuring a countdown timer, clear instructions, and seamless wallet integration.
The project successfully attracted hundreds of collectors and over two dozen artists across two seasons. By keeping artworks anonymous until the final reveal, we created an environment where collectors made decisions based purely on artistic merit. The daily reveal format generated consistent community engagement and speculation, while the swapping mechanism added an exciting strategic element. The project demonstrated how blockchain technology could reshape traditional art collecting paradigms, creating more equitable and engaging experiences for both artists and collectors.