Overview of the App Concept

Who

This tool is for people who want to save money, quickly, for a particular reason. For example, a wedding, big trip, or new car. The users are not new to technology but do not like working with their finances. So, they require that the information they receive via the tool is accessible, and clearly tells them what they can do to better save.

What

A responsive website, web app, and/or mobile app allowing all data on income and expenses to be recorded easily, on the go, and from a variety of devices. The tool displays data on the user’s finances (how much money they spend and on what), and tells them what they can do to cut costs and save money in a certain amount of time.

When

Users will utilize the tool in the period before a planned expense. During this period, they will input data when spending and receiving money so they can view accurate information on their finances and dynamic information on what they can do to save more money.

Where

The tool can be used from anywhere and using any device to ensure income and outgoings are easily recorded.

Why

Saving money can be really hard, especially when you don’t have a long time to do so. By providing personalized information on how a user can save based on their actual finances, the tool itself can provide financial advice during these finite periods of saving.

User Stories

After conducting several informal interviews with friends and family, I wrote these user stories based on their needs.

“As a user, I want to receive a personalized savings plan, so that I can save enough money to reach my goal in time.”
“As a user, I want to see an overview of how much my finances have changed and how much I am saving throughout the saving period, so that I can stay on track.”
“As a user, I want to see a dashboard of my finances clearly and visually, so that I can see how much I am spending on what at a glance.”
“As a money-saver, I need to be able to input information on the money I am receiving and spending (and on what), so that I can see an overview of my finances.”
“As a user, I need to be able to tell the tool what my savings goal is and how long I have to reach it, so that I can save accordingly.”

Phase 1 Design

Brand Guidelines Document
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Mid Fidelity Wireframes

Brand Guidelines Document

Low Fidelity Wireframes

Mid Fidelity Wireframes

Feedback

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

Process

3 participants
- Young adults (18-25)
- Not experienced with finances
Met with each participant in-person.
Gave them a scenario that could be solved by the app and asked them to tell me what steps they would take

Findings

Liked the feature that displayed how much money the user could spend for the rest of the day and the graph that broke down savings and spending habits.
The biggest problem was the dark blue background on a couple of the screens in the prototype. This seemed to be a result of a glitch in the prototyping software being used.
Easy to use.
Typo on the Introduction page: “change exact amount.”
Likes the design. Finds the app easy to navigate, helpful, and informative.
Pain Points
- If possible, fix the background glitch that is happening on the prototype.
- Fix the typo on the Introduction page.

Phase 2 Design

Changes Made
Responsive Design
Finalized Prototype

Changes Made

Fixed the typo on the Introduction page
Reinstalled the InVision App which fixed the glitch
Changed the color palette to feel more bold and cohesive

Old Color Palette

Updated Color Palette

Responsive Design

Here are a couple screens that showcase the desktop versions of my app.

Reflection

What I would do differently

When this project was completed in 2020, I was not as experienced in design. I had a weak grasp on being able to envision how a color palette or typography choices would look when applied. As a result, I had to make large scale design choices between each iteration of the wireframes. While I am happy with the final result of the app’s look and feel, you will notice that the color palette, logo, and layout changed completely from start to finish. This results in less efficiency in the design process and would likely confuse stakeholders when the final designs don’t match the initial brand guidelines document.

Potential Outcomes

Having the ability to meet one’s short term savings goals
More awareness of spending and saving habits which may cause the user to develop the ability to make wiser financial decisions
Develop greater financial literacy

Introduction

Context

My Role

Discovery Phase