BestWallet
Overview
BestWallet is a conceptual financial app developed as part of a final university project by computer science students. I volunteered as the product designer to help bring their vision to life by conducting the preliminary user research and designing the app’s screens. The app’s primary goal is to provide users with easy tools for managing their finances and increasing disposable income. However, given the sensitive nature of financial data, the project focused heavily on addressing user concerns about trust, privacy, and security.
My Contributions
My role involved conducting preliminary research to understand user needs and concerns about financial management apps and trust-building. I also designed the app's screens, incorporating accessible design choices, intuitive layouts, and trust-promoting elements to ensure a seamless and secure user experience.
Research & Discovery
To address the challenge of building trust with users, I conducted extensive research into how to effectively reassure users when sharing sensitive financial information. The research highlighted several key strategies:
Emphasize Security Measures: Users need clear communication about how their information is being protected. Effective reassurance comes from visual and textual elements that demonstrate robust security protocols.
Leverage Friction: Introducing intentional friction, such as additional verification steps, can make users feel more secure. This approach helps users validate the security of the app and reduces errors.
Use Constant Feedback: Real-time feedback during interactions reassures users that their actions are successful and their information is secure. This ongoing validation is crucial for maintaining user confidence.
Use Clear Copy: Instructions and information must be straightforward and easy to understand, especially for users new to financial services. Clear copy helps prevent confusion and builds trust by making the app’s functionality transparent.
Apply Social Proof: Social proof, including testimonials and user success stories, can establish credibility and encourage new users to trust the app. Observing others’ positive experiences can influence user decisions.
Be Transparent: Users need to know why personal information is requested and how it will be used. Transparency about data usage and protection increases user willingness to share sensitive information.
I also analyzed competitors like Mint, Acorns, and Venmo to understand their strengths and weaknesses. The analysis revealed that while competitors used trust-building copy and security measures, they struggled with long onboarding processes and poor color contrast.
UI Design
Color Scheme: I chose blue as the primary color for its association with trust, confidence, and security. This choice not only enhances the app’s credibility but also ensures accessibility for color blindness, providing clear and legible screens for users with visual impairments.
Typography: The Montserrat font was selected for its high level of legibility and clean appearance. Its suitability for displaying both letters and numbers, including currency symbols, supports a straightforward and honest user experience.
Design Choices: I incorporated accessible design elements to ensure that users of all abilities could easily interact with the app. The clear color contrast and intuitive layout contribute to a seamless and reassuring user experience.