Helping Canadians set financial goals, save and invest their first dollar

My Role 👋

UX/UI Designer

Project 📝

End to End mobile app design

Case Study for UX Diploma

Case Study

Duration 🕝

10 weeks

Tools 🛠️

Figma & FigJam

Helping Canadians set financial goals, save and invest their first dollar

My Role 👋

UX/UI Designer

Project 📝

End to End mobile app design

Case Study for UX Diploma

Duration 🕝

10 weeks

Tools 🛠️

Figma & FigJam

Project Impact

Project Impact

Project Impact

Some qualitative feedback that I received

Some qualitative feedback that I received

Some qualitative feedback that I received

Although this project did not result in a real world product, I did receive some feedback from peers and instructors that validate the design hypothesis

Brad

Project Feedback

You have a very good sense of visual design and technical execution. Your prototype and overall concept could pass as a real product, making this project a fantastic portfolio piece.

Gemma

Demo Day Attendee

Wow! I wish this was a real product because I think it can really help me save money.

Amin

Demo Day Attendee

Although I am not the target user of this solution, I can see how it helps people save money. To improve your storytelling, explain your persona and relate back to them so that we can see from their point of view.

Paul

UX Bootcamp Classmate

I always had troubles with knowing how to invest and I think I would use this to get started. You've made the process really straightforward and simple to understand.

Miguel

UX Design Mentor

First of all, solid, solid work! I absolutely love your lettermark and the thought you put behind the increasing curve into the type, that's really subtle yet creative.

Smaller teams need you to do both the experience design AND the pixel-perfect visual design, while bigger teams need you to do one or the other, so it's great you've stretched yourself to do both of them.

Maryam

BrainStation Staff

This is a great idea, I would totally use this feature. I tried using Wealthsimple and I had no clue what to do.

Brad

Project Feedback

Effective communication of your app demo, maintaining a human-centered narrative

Yeajin

Demo Day Attendee

I remember being impressed by your explanation of the 30-day challenge that day. It seemed like a great idea to help users achieve the goal of saving money.

Josh

Project Feedback

There are some really well thought out ideas throughout this flow. Kudos for not only figuring out the flow and design, but figuring out innovative ways to help people save.

60%

of Canadians said retirement was their top financial goal

According to a IPSOS survey of 2500 Canadians for BMO Financial Group.

41%

of Canadians do not invest in the stock market

According to a survey of 1,011 Canadians conducted by Pollfish for Finder

64% Gen Z


Do not invest

61% young Millennials

Do not invest

57% Older Millennials

Do not invest

Problem Space & Research

Problem Space & Research

Problem Space & Research

It all starts with understanding the problem

It all starts with understanding the problem

It all starts with understanding the problem

My experience as a personal banking associate at TD exposed me to a recurring personal finance challenge faced by many Canadians. This insight became the foundation for further research to better understand and address the issue.

With a background in banking, I chose to tackle a personal finance issue many Canadians face. What I discovered through my research:

Here is what I found:

With a background in banking, I chose to tackle a personal finance issue many Canadians face. What I discovered through my research:

With a background in banking, I chose to tackle a personal finance issue many Canadians face. What I discovered through my research:

54%

54%

54%

of Canadians are feeling less hopeful about their financial futures in 2023

of Canadians are feeling less hopeful about their financial futures in 2023

of Canadians are feeling less hopeful about their financial futures in 2023

46%

46%

46%

say saving more would help reduce their financial stress

say saving more would help reduce their financial stress

say saving more would help reduce their financial stress

According to FP Canada survey of 2004 Canadians across the country

According to FP Canada survey of 2004 Canadians across the country

According to FP Canada survey of 2004 Canadians across the country

54%

of Canadians are feeling less hopeful about their financial futures in 2023

46%

say saving more would help reduce their financial stress

60%

of Canadians said retirement was their top financial goal

According to a IPSOS survey of 2500 Canadians for BMO Financial Group.

yet…

41%

of Canadians do not invest in the stock market

According to a survey of 1,011 Canadians conducted by Pollfish for Finder

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis

After talking to real Canadians,

After talking to real Canadians,

After talking to real Canadians,

Three key themes were clear to me:

Three key themes were clear to me:

Three key themes were clear to me:

  1. Canadians think automating investment methods can help their financial journey by taking out the manual repetitive tasks while making them feel confident in their financial goal progression.

  1. Whether it is employment status, beliefs or self confidence in investing, it is holding Canadians back from making progression towards their financial goals.

  1. Although some Canadians have a great grasp on their finances, others can benefit from being able to visualize their financial goal progression within their primary app to further motivate them.

HOW MIGHT WE….

empower Canadians to engage in investment that align with their goals and risk tolerance through innovative methods, in order to enhance their overall financial well-being?

Meet Emily, a new, novice investor!

Meet Emily, a new, novice investor!

Meet Emily, a novice investor!

Emily Chen, 24

Recent Graduate| Vancouver

Emily Chen, 24

Recent Graduate| Vancouver

Emily Chen, 24

Recent Graduate| Vancouver

Motivations / Goals

Motivations / Goals

Motivations / Goals

  • Start investing in the stock market

  • Max out her TFSA, RRSP and FHSA

  • Save for a down payment on a condo

  • Save for a vacation to Europe

  • Start investing in the stock market

  • Max out her TFSA, RRSP and FHSA

  • Save for a down payment on a condo

  • Save for a vacation to Europe

  • Start investing in the stock market

  • Max out her TFSA, RRSP and FHSA

  • Save for a down payment on a condo

  • Save for a vacation to Europe

Frustrations

Frustrations

Frustrations

  • Feels overwhelmed by the amount of information available on investing and is unsure where to start.

  • Afraid of losing money in the stock market due to a lack of understanding and experience.

  • Feels overwhelmed by the amount of information available on investing and is unsure where to start.

  • Afraid of losing money in the stock market due to a lack of understanding and experience.

  • Feels overwhelmed by the amount of information available on investing and is unsure where to start.

  • Afraid of losing money in the stock market due to a lack of understanding and experience.

Since Emily is new to investing, she may feel overwhelmed to open up a regular investing app. So the goal here is to explore ways we can help Emily stick with something she is familiar with (like budgeting/saving) and gradually introduce investing to her

Since Emily is new to investing, she may feel overwhelmed to open up a regular investing app. So the goal here is to explore ways we can help Emily stick with something she is familiar with (like budgeting/saving) and gradually introduce investing to her

Since Emily is new to investing, she may feel overwhelmed to open up a regular investing app. So the goal here is to explore ways we can help Emily stick with something she is familiar with (like budgeting/saving) and gradually introduce investing to her

After writing some user stories, it was clear that goal setting was my focus to help a novice investor like Emily to start her investing journey. I then created a task flow diagram that Emily would go through to create a goal.

After writing some user stories, it was clear that goal setting was my focus to help a novice investor like Emily to start her investing journey. I then created a task flow diagram that Emily would go through to create a goal.

After writing some user stories, it was clear that goal setting was my focus to help a novice investor like Emily to start her investing journey. I then created a task flow diagram that Emily would go through to create a goal.

Task Flow: Setting an investment goal

Design

Design

Design

After I understood the task, it was time to sketch…

After I understood the task, it was time to sketch…

After I understood the task, it was time to sketch…

Low Fidelity Version 1

Low Fidelity Version 1

The Objective

The Objective

The Objective

Empowering Canadians to start investing by making the process simple, engaging and manageable

Empowering Canadians to start investing by making the process simple, engaging and manageable

Empowering Canadians to start investing by making the process simple, engaging and manageable

User Testing

User Testing

User Testing

After testing the initial design, here are what I found:

After testing the initial design, here are what I found:

After testing the initial design, here are what I found:

  1. Although it was met with positivity, there were improvements that were necessary to make the task less confusing for users

  1. Although it was met with positivity, there were improvements that were necessary to make the task less confusing for users

  1. Although it was met with positivity, there were improvements that were necessary to make the task less confusing for users

  1. Some users were getting bombarded with information which led to confusion in the flow, I recognized that information could be simplified and broken up to be more digestible

  1. Some users were getting bombarded with information which led to confusion in the flow, I recognized that information could be simplified and broken up to be more digestible

  1. Some users were getting bombarded with information which led to confusion in the flow, I recognized that information could be simplified and broken up to be more digestible

  1. For the complete user test plan, please see here

  1. For the complete user test plan, please see here

  1. For the complete user test plan, please see here

Changes after user testing:

Changes after user testing:

Changes after user testing:

Branding

So why Snowball?

A Symbol of Growth

A snowball grows larger as it rolls

Visual Representation

The word Snowball has an upward shape, mimicking growth

Positive Imagery

Snowball is seen as fun and playful

Encouraging Progress

Suggests taking the initial step like packing a snowball

Cultural Relevance

In Canada, snow is an integral part of our environment

Branding

So why Snowball?

A Symbol of Growth

A snowball grows larger as it rolls

Positive Imagery

Snowball is seen as fun and playful

Cultural Relevance

In Canada, snow is an integral part of our environment

Visual Representation

The word Snowball has an upward shape, mimicking growth

Encouraging Progress

Suggests taking the initial step like packing a snowball

Brand Wordmark

Brand Wordmark

Brand Wordmark

Here is how I created my wordmark…

Here is how I created my wordmark…

Here is how I created my wordmark…

A sans serif typeface for professional yet approachable feel. I picked Raleway in the end because of it's unique 'W' and playful 'L".


With the chosen typeface, I began to look at different ways of making the wordmark.


Progressive weight increase of the word to emphasize compounding over time.

A sans serif typeface for professional yet approachable feel. I picked Raleway in the end because of it's unique 'W' and playful 'L".


With the chosen typeface, I began to look at different ways of making the wordmark.


Progressive weight increase of the word to emphasize compounding over time.

A sans serif typeface for professional yet approachable feel. I picked Raleway in the end because of it's unique 'W' and playful 'L".


With the chosen typeface, I began to look at different ways of making the wordmark.


Progressive weight increase of the word to emphasize compounding over time.

snowball

Medium, Semi-bold, Bold

Medium, Semi-bold, Bold

Medium, Semi-bold, Bold

LS: -6% (S-O) to -3% (W - L)

LS: -6% (S-O) to -3% (W - L)

LS: -6% (S-O) to -3% (W - L)

I then moved on to modify the shape of the wordmark to emphasize the overall upward shape of the word.

I then moved on to modify the shape of the wordmark to emphasize the overall upward shape of the word.

I then moved on to modify the shape of the wordmark to emphasize the overall upward shape of the word.

Finally, a blue gradient was added to further emphasize compounding over time.

Finally, a blue gradient was added to further emphasize compounding over time.

Finally, a blue gradient was added to further emphasize compounding over time.

Marketing Website

Marketing Website

Marketing Website

I created a marketing website…

I created a marketing website…

I created a marketing website…

to attract investors like Emily to start her financial journey and ultimately help her reach her financial goals

to attract investors like Emily to start her financial journey and ultimately help her reach her financial goals

To attract investors like Emily to start her financial journey and ultimately help her reach her financial goals

Reflection

Reflection

Reflection

I believe this design will reduce anxiety for Canadians by…

I believe this design will reduce anxiety for Canadians by…

I believe this design will reduce anxiety for Canadians by…

Guiding them to start their investing journey towards their goals. With goal setting and attainable challenges, I believe it can reduce the intimidation factor around investing. This can be validated through the following:

Guiding them to start their investing journey towards their goals. With goal setting and attainable challenges, I believe it can reduce the intimidation factor around investing. This can be validated through the following:

Guiding them to start their investing journey towards their goals. With goal setting and attainable challenges, I believe it can reduce the intimidation factor around investing. This can be validated through the following:

  1. A reduction in debt ratio for individuals

  1. A reduction in debt ratio for individuals

  1. A reduction in debt ratio for individuals

  1. Increased contribution rates to registered investment accounts for Canadians

  1. Increased contribution rates to registered investment accounts for Canadians

  1. Increased contribution rates to registered investment accounts for Canadians

What I learned most from this project…

What I learned most from this project…

What I learned most from this project…

🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Refer back to the user constantly to refine my designs

🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Refer back to the user constantly to refine my designs

🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Refer back to the user constantly to refine my designs

It was very easy to get off track and design what I think users would like. However, the user tests really humbled me and brought me back on track and stay focused on a user oriented solution

It was very easy to get off track and design what I think users would like. However, the user tests really humbled me and brought me back on track and stay focused on a user oriented solution

It was very easy to get off track and design what I think users would like. However, the user tests really humbled me and brought me back on track and stay focused on a user oriented solution

📚 Simplify the language in my design

📚 Simplify the language in my design

📚 Simplify the language in my design

Throughout the user tests, some users did not understand the jargon used in the app. It reminded me to simplify the wording to reduce confusion.

Throughout the user tests, some users did not understand the jargon used in the app. It reminded me to simplify the wording to reduce confusion.

Throughout the user tests, some users did not understand the jargon used in the app. It reminded me to simplify the wording to reduce confusion.

🙅 No one wants to read an essay, disclose progressively

🙅 No one wants to read an essay, disclose progressively

🙅 No one wants to read an essay, disclose progressively

Since there were lots of information to disclose to the user, my initial design often had paragraphs. I found that they were being ignored by users throughout my testing which led them to being confused as to what they are clicking into. I learned to disclose progressively to make the information digestible

Since there were lots of information to disclose to the user, my initial design often had paragraphs. I found that they were being ignored by users throughout my testing which led them to being confused as to what they are clicking into. I learned to disclose progressively to make the information digestible

Since there were lots of information to disclose to the user, my initial design often had paragraphs. I found that they were being ignored by users throughout my testing which led them to being confused as to what they are clicking into. I learned to disclose progressively to make the information digestible

Thanks for checking this out!

Thanks for checking this out!

Let's discuss how I can help your team!