James Hinkamp Designer

Manage finances.
Wherever.
Whenever.

Overview

Purpose

This is a UX case study in fulfillment of the CareerFoundry UX Design Immersion course. It is also my first end-to-end UX design project.

It represents a progression from introductory coursework to develop more advanced UX skills by creating a responsive financial web application from start to finish, concluding with high-fidelity prototyping, testing, and presentation.

Objective / Business Case

Whereas most digital wallets are native apps that specialize in sending and receiving payments, Bene is a responsive web application that combines digital wallet features with a comprehensive "fintech" experience, including banking, investments, and even shopping capabilities.

Role

Lead designer

with tutorship by Benjamin Funk

& mentorship by Vaishali Rajurkar + Vivek Anand

with tutorship by Benjamin Funk

& mentorship by Vaishali Rajurkar + Vivek Anand

Tools Used

LucidSpark

OptimalSort

Timing

May 2022 - February 2023

part-time

Understanding

Problem Statement

To understand the problem space, I dove headfirst into research. Downloaded a bunch of comparable apps. Read notable financial publications. Reviewed institutional guidance (UN, World Bank, etc.).

I was looking for opportunities that existing products had not yet appeared to solve.

To understand the problem space, I dove headfirst into research. Downloaded a bunch of comparable apps. Read notable financial publications. Reviewed institutional guidance (UN, World Bank, etc.).

I was looking for opportunities that existing products had not yet appeared to solve.

To understand the problem space, I dove headfirst into research. Downloaded a bunch of comparable apps. Read notable financial publications. Reviewed institutional guidance (UN, World Bank, etc.).

I was looking for opportunities that existing products had not yet appeared to solve.

Here's What I Found

Competitive Analysis

All those apps I downloaded for research? It wasn't just for stylistic inspiration. I also wanted to understand what they did well - and also less well - from functional and usability perspectives.

A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats (SWOT) analysis was therefore in order.

While there were many to choose, I selected two with the broadest set of features that also aligned with the initial problem statement: TransferWise (now Wise) and Venmo.

All those apps I downloaded for research? It wasn't just for stylistic inspiration. I also wanted to understand what they did well - and also less well - from functional and usability perspectives.

While there were many to choose, I selected two with the broadest set of features that also aligned with the initial problem statement: TransferWise (now Wise) and Venmo.

Each was subjected to a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats (SWOT) analysis with the dual purpose of better understanding the market and to generate design ideas that could help position the new app for current and future success.

All those apps I downloaded for research? It wasn't just for stylistic inspiration. I also wanted to understand what they did well - and also less well - from functional and usability perspectives.

While there were many to choose, I selected two with the broadest set of features that also aligned with the initial problem statement: TransferWise (now Wise) and Venmo.

SWOT Insights

Observation

User Survey

Secondary research shined a light on the the perceived problems and opportunities to solve with this app.

But, to validate initial assumptions, I needed primary research. I needed to hear directly from prospective users.

With Google Forms, I could easily cast a wide net with an effective survey to learn their needs and goals regarding general app use and financial habits.

I created the survey with Google Forms. The objective was to learn their needs and goals regarding general app use and financial habits.

What Survey Participants Revealed

View Results

User Interviews

Striving for even deeper research insights, I also used Zoom to conduct 4 remote interviews in order to obtain more nuanced data regarding users’ mentalities toward apps and finance.

What They Said

Point of View

Enriching the design process with realistic representations of users.

With relatable personas in focus, the design truly became user-centered and oriented towards business objectives that solve core user needs and goals.

The path to create each persona went a little bit like this…

With relatable personas in focus, the design truly became user-centered and oriented towards business objectives that solve core user needs and goals.

The path to create each persona went a little bit like this…

Enriching the design process with realistic representations of users.

With relatable personas in focus, the design truly became user-centered and oriented towards business objectives that solve core user needs and goals.

The path to create each persona went a little bit like this…

Ideation

Wireframes

I converted research and information architecture into visual design with wireframes & prototypes.

Thus began the process of bringing the app to "life". I constructed low, medium, and high- fidelity wireframes that represent static screen images, first by sketching frames with paper and pencil, and then gradually advancing to more detail with digital software.

Each wireframe iteration reflected additional feedback rounds with peers and course teachers.

To the right is a ticker with sample wireframes and notations highlighting specific design decisions and iterations.

Above is a ticker with sample wireframes and notations highlighting specific design decisions and iterations.

To the right is a ticker with sample wireframes and notations highlighting specific design decisions and iterations.

Prototyping

Refinement

Onboarding

Intuitive and secure sign up and log in process.

Savings Planner

Leveraging financial account management to set savings goals.

Transaction

Digital wallet capabilities, among others.

Testing

Gaining "real world" feedback about the app.

Meaning: testing by real users. For this usability testing, I recruited 6 participants to use their mobile device to test
3 distinct tasks in the app.

I moderated most of these tests with remote video conferencing. In certain cases, this setup proved challenging, mainly due to technical difficulties related to WiFi instability. I improvised by displaying the prototype from my side and asking the interviewee to verbally "walk" me through how they would approach different tasks.

Remote Moderated Testing

Having 6 participants helped meet the rule of thumb to identify at least 85% of potential usability issues.

User Feedback

Actual quotes from users who have took the prototype for a "test drive" provided a direct connection to their thought processes, to validate the the quality of both prior user research and product ideation to this point.

Rainbow Analysis

A colorful and effective method to document the extent of user feedback during testing. Feel free to click on the image to take a closer look at the details, including notations and how insights influenced design.

Preference Testing

As a supplement to usability testing of product functionality, I also conducted A/B testing for the user interface (UI). Click the image for a closer look.