Smart Save
A mobile app that helps users track expenses, optimize spending, gain insights, and achieve financial goals.
My Role Timeline Team
UI/UX Design
1 month in
Fall 2022
Visual Designer, UI/UX Designer
Features
-
Seamless Login Experience
-
Safe and Secure Bank Account Linkage
-
Expense Analysis and Budgeting
-
Intuitive Overview
Problem
Millennials, who grew up with technology, prioritize instant gratification over patience, impacting their financial health. This trend is expected to continue with the younger generation. A report shows that millennials tend to spend more than they earn, but there is some improvement in spending habits after the age of 25. Helping millennials develop sustainable spending behavior is crucial.
Solution
Creating a financial management app specially catered to the needs of young individuals age from 25 to 40 years old.
Methodology
For this project, we employed a User-Centered Design methodology. We drew inspiration from personal experiences, conducted thorough secondary research, and ideated a product concept. We conducted testing at each stage, ensuring the product met user requirements and expectations.
User Research
Before proposing a possible solution to the problem and understand the target users and their behavior. We conducted seven users interview and surveys. Questions following are what we want to understand.
​
-
How do millennials spend their money?
-
What are the influencing factors on their spending habits?
-
Were they conscious of their expenses?
-
Do they take measure to grow their savings? Are they aware of methods to grow their savings?
-
Do they actively take steps to increase their savings? Are they knowledgeable about strategies for growing their savings?
Key Results from Surveys
Findings & Insights
-
Limited awareness of actual bank balance leads to belated realization.
-
Sales and discounts trigger unnecessary spending.
-
Users unaware of hidden expenses.
-
Overlooking financial growth opportunities due to perceived risk.
-
Find a safer time to start investing.
Persona
Prior Art
Based on the survey and secondary research, we found that the top finance tracking and management applications are Intuit Mint, NerdWallet, and Qapital.
Intuit Mint
It is a popular budgeting application that many users rely on. It allows users to connect their financial accounts, track expenses, set budgeting goals, and gain insights into their financial health. However, the app's complexity has made it difficult for some users to comprehend, leading to decreased reliability over time according to our survey.
NerdWallet
The NerdWallet app combines credit score tracking, net worth management, and cash flow monitoring. It is highly user-friendly and comprehensible for many. However, manual effort is required for categorizing and gaining insights from group transactions.
Qapital
Qapital is a savings app that automates savings, allows unlimited savings goals, and uses triggers and rules to allocate savings. However, it has a monthly fee (starting at $3) and limits users to linking only one checking account.
Iteration: Low-Fidelity Wireframe
Design Thinking:
The app's main feature is expense tracking and providing insights to help users save money. Through research, analysis, and brainstorming, we gained a deeper understanding of user context and behavior. We created a low-fidelity prototype with consideration for user interaction and behavior principles.
Affinity Mapping
My Design Part: Low-Fidelity Prototype
Design Thinking:
Based on the positive results obtained from testing the wireframes, we gained sufficient confidence to proceed with the design and development of high-fidelity UI designs. Through multiple iterations and rigorous testing, we finalized the following user interface.
Final Design
Design System
We chose a dark model for SmartSave. Black color gives a sense of power. As a financial app that needs to bring users security, stability and worth to believe. The main colors are light green, yellow and white. The typography we choose Poppins.
To simplify user experience, we offer a single login option, either through mobile number or linked social accounts, eliminating confusion and hassle for users.
SmartSave securely links bank accounts, allowing users to transact and monitor expenses with trust.
SmartSave boosts expense awareness for user-saving. It offers a clear expense breakdown for easy budgeting. The app automatically allocates budgets by category, customizable by users.
SmartSave enhances decision-making by presenting users with their total subscription expenses, aiding them in determining which subscriptions to keep or remove.
User Testing
We conducted frequent tests during each phase of product development, specifically focusing on the onboarding journey. Our goal was to assess user navigation, comprehension, and identify areas for improvement based on their lifestyle.
User Flow
Result of Testing
Most users successfully navigated the app, comprehended on-screen information, and demonstrated minimal discrepancy between the conceptual and mental models. The product was highly relevant to the majority of users' lifestyles, providing valuable insights into their preferences.
Insights & Design Changes
User testing revealed that some users expressed skepticism about linking their bank accounts due to security concerns. To establish trust, we provided indications of the high level of security implemented in the process.
Next Steps
The app has constraints regarding user concerns about linking bank accounts and the complexity of analysis sections. We will collect feedback, make improvements, and consider applying the Heuristics Evaluation Methodology for professional testing.