Designing a Budgeting App
Designing a Budgeting App
Role
UX researcher & UI designer
Deliverables
I) Gain insight from individuals aged (18 - 30) regarding their financial budgeting skill level.
II) Build a wireframe & Hi-Fi prototype
Timeframe
April - Oct
Tools
Figma, First hand user interviews
Scroll down to read the case study
User Research
User Research
With mix of secondary research and first hand interview. I tried to understand the diverse needs of users in Bangladesh. Initially, I assumed that users would have a high level of financial literacy and prioritize advanced features like complex investment options. But found that, younger demographics, need simplified language, guided onboarding, and accessible tools to help them navigate savings and investments. The research highlighted a stronger emphasis on trust, transparency, and educational support than initially expected.
With mix of secondary research and first hand interview. I tried to understand the diverse needs of users in Bangladesh. Initially, I assumed that users would have a high level of financial literacy and prioritize advanced features like complex investment options. But found that, younger demographics, need simplified language, guided onboarding, and accessible tools to help them navigate savings and investments. The research highlighted a stronger emphasis on trust, transparency, and educational support than initially expected.
Plus considering the target user age(18-30), most of the users are tech-savy Generation Z or in short gen-z. I read an article, that explains how to cater to this users. To sum it up
. Large parts are only mobile user
. Accessibility First eg. subtitle should be a must
. Support Intrinsic Motivation
. Have a little patience.
. Prefers Fast authentication method eg. Through X, Instagram, Facebook
. Rely on social proof, honest reviews/photos, authenticity.
. They have AI fatigue, remain genuine and authentic.
Plus considering the target user age(18-30), most of the users are tech-savy Generation Z or in short gen-z. I read an article, that explains how to cater to this users. To sum it up
. Large parts are only mobile user
. Accessibility First eg. subtitle should be a must
. Support Intrinsic Motivation
. Have a little patience.
. Prefers Fast authentication method eg. Through X, Instagram, Facebook
. Rely on social proof, honest reviews/photos, authenticity.
. They have AI fatigue, remain genuine and authentic.
After taking face to face interview of 4 users and couple of surveys I came up with 3 pain points
After taking face to face interview of 4 users and couple of surveys I came up with 3 pain points
User Pain Point
1
Tracking Inconsistent Income
Tracking Inconsistent Income
User income isn’t steady every month, and it’s challenging to plan a budget around it. User needs a tool that adapts to changes and helps them stay on track.
User income isn’t steady every month, and it’s challenging to plan a budget around it. User needs a tool that adapts to changes and helps them stay on track.
2
Lack of Progress Visibilty
User finds it hard to understand that how much they need to save every month to reach those goals any financial goals set by them.
User finds it hard to understand that how much they need to save every month to reach those goals any financial goals set by them.
3
Overwhelming Financial Jargon
Understanding financial tips look complex, users are not familiar with the terms used. They feel intimidated by options that aren’t beginner-friendly.
Understanding financial tips look complex, users are not familiar with the terms used. They feel intimidated by options that aren’t beginner-friendly.
Creating Persona
Creating Persona
Taking face 2 face interview & from survey findings, I came up with 2 personas and a problem statement for each persona. This personas will represent the whole user demographic and their choice, needs and preference's. By creating this personas it helps me to relate to the user problems and gives a face.
Taking face 2 face interview & from survey findings, I came up with 2 personas and a problem statement for each persona. This personas will represent the whole user demographic and their choice, needs and preference's. By creating this personas it helps me to relate to the user problems and gives a face.
" I want to save for my future education, but I find it difficult to understand where to start with investing.”
" I want to save for my future education, but I find it difficult to understand where to start with investing.”
Name: Raj
Education: Under-grad
Age: 23
Family: Single parent
Occupation: part-time
Name: Raj
Education: Under-grad
Age: 23
Family: Single parent
Occupation: part-time
Problem statement
Raj is a 23-year-old university student who needs a simplified and educational interface to manage his savings goals because he struggles with complex financial terminology and navigation, making it difficult for him to effectively use the platform for his education savings.
Raj is a 23-year-old university student who needs a simplified and educational interface to manage his savings goals because he struggles with complex financial terminology and navigation, making it difficult for him to effectively use the platform for his education savings.
Goals
I) Learn about basic investing and financial literacy
II) Save money for higher education abroad.
Goals
I) Learn about basic investing and financial literacy
II) Save money for higher education abroad.
Frustration
II) Lack of accessible, easy-to-understand financial resources in Bangla.
III) Concerned about hidden fees in mobile banking apps and fintech services.
Frustration
II) Lack of accessible, easy-to-understand financial resources in Bangla.
III) Concerned about hidden fees in mobile banking apps and fintech services.
"I never know exactly how much I’ll make each month. I wish I had an easy way to see everything without confusing apps"
Name: Zayn
Education: Under-grad
Age: 27
Family: Single parent
Occupation: Freelance designer
Name: Zayn
Education: Under-grad
Age: 27
Family: Single parent
Occupation: Freelance designer
Problem statement
Zayn is a freelance designer managing irregular income who needs an easy way to track both personal and business finances because balancing income from multiple clients with personal expenses is challenging.
Zayn is a freelance designer managing irregular income who needs an easy way to track both personal and business finances because balancing income from multiple clients with personal expenses is challenging.
Frustration
II) Difficulty managing fluctuating income and budgeting effectively.
III) Wants guidance on retirement planning and more stable investments.
Frustration
II) Difficulty managing fluctuating income and budgeting effectively.
III) Wants guidance on retirement planning and more stable investments.
Goals
I) Budget planning that adapts to irregular income.
II) Save money for higher education abroad.
Goals
I) Budget planning that adapts to irregular income.
II) Save money for higher education abroad.
User Journey
User Journey
Raj
Main Task
Main Task
Feelings
Feelings
Improvement Opportunity
Improvement Opportunity
Open app and log in
Open app and log in
Curious
Curious
Simplify login with options like biometrics for quicker access.
Simplify login with options like biometrics for quicker access.
Check current balance
Check current balance
Motivated
Motivated
Personalize spending alerts with messages to keep Aarav motivated to save more efficiently.
Personalize spending alerts with messages to keep Aarav motivated to save more efficiently.
Record daily expense
Record daily expense
Motivated
Motivated
Personalize spending alerts with messages to keep Aarav motivated to save more efficiently.
Personalize spending alerts with messages to keep Aarav motivated to save more efficiently.
Set a savings goal
Set a savings goal
Motivated
Motivated
Personalize spending alerts with messages to keep Aarav motivated to save more efficiently.
Personalize spending alerts with messages to keep Aarav motivated to save more efficiently.
Receive spending alert
Receive spending alert
Motivated
Motivated
Personalize spending alerts with messages to keep Aarav motivated to save more efficiently.
Personalize spending alerts with messages to keep Aarav motivated to save more efficiently.
Zayn
Main Task
Main Task
Feelings
Feelings
Improvement Opportunity
Improvement Opportunity
Open app and view dashboard
Open app and view dashboard
Interested
Interested
Display both personal and business accounts for easy access.
Display both personal and business accounts for easy access.
Separate income into categories
Separate income into categories
Organized
Organized
Offer customizable income categories for better tracking.
Offer customizable income categories for better tracking.
Allocate funds for monthly budget
Allocate funds for monthly budget
Focused
Focused
Provide budgeting templates specifically for freelancers.
Provide budgeting templates specifically for freelancers.
Track personal vs. business expenses
Track personal vs. business expenses
Confident
Confident
Color-code or tag expenses as personal or business.
Color-code or tag expenses as personal or business.
Generate a monthly financial summary
Generate a monthly financial summary
Relieved
Relieved
Simplify report generation with automated summaries.
Simplify report generation with automated summaries.
Design Process
Design Process
Considering the user needs & the demographic I decided to include some features that will cater to the targeted audience.
Some of this features are
Gamification Elements: Integrate reward systems, milestones, or badges for saving achievements or financial literacy progress.
Spending Insights: Show detailed spending categories with monthly trends, allowing users to track and compare spending on a smaller scale.
Peer Comparison: Anonymized spending and savings comparisons within the same age group to encourage competitive saving.
Community and Social Features: Younger users may appreciate community-driven features like discussion forums or goal-sharing with friends.
Simplified Security Options: Biometric login (fingerprint or face ID) and clear privacy settings to build trust, with easy access to manage and understand data-sharing policies.
Considering the user needs & the demographic I decided to include some features that will cater to the targeted audience.
Some of this features are
Gamification Elements: Integrate reward systems, milestones, or badges for saving achievements or financial literacy progress.
Spending Insights: Show detailed spending categories with monthly trends, allowing users to track and compare spending on a smaller scale.
Peer Comparison: Anonymized spending and savings comparisons within the same age group to encourage competitive saving.
Community and Social Features: Younger users may appreciate community-driven features like discussion forums or goal-sharing with friends.
Simplified Security Options: Biometric login (fingerprint or face ID) and clear privacy settings to build trust, with easy access to manage and understand data-sharing policies.
Paper wireframe
Paper wireframe
The hand drawn paper-wireframe for budgeting app
Lo-Fi digital wireframe
Lo-Fi digital wireframe
Picture of digital version of paper wireframe( lo-fi wireframe) made in Figma
Picture of digital version of paper wireframe( lo-fi wireframe) made in Figma
Hi-fi wireframe
Hi-fi wireframe
From the pictures above you can see I designed the app with matching with the findings from the studies.
From the pictures above you can see I designed the app with matching with the findings from the studies.
Gamification Elements: I have reward systems, milestones, or badges for saving achievements.
Gamification Elements: I have reward systems, milestones, or badges for saving achievements.
Setting goal & Challenges
Spending Insights & Comparing
Spending Insights: Detailed categories with monthly trends, allowing users to track and compare spending on a smaller scale.
Spending Insights: Detailed categories with monthly trends, allowing users to track and compare spending on a smaller scale.
Simple Login: Users can easily login to their app with their biometric login information.
Also content filtering options like, what topic they want to read about budgeting.
Simple Login: Users can easily login to their app with their biometric login information.
Also content filtering options like, what topic they want to read about budgeting.
Biometric login & Content filter
Onboarding process
Guided Onboarding:
I have also created a intuitive & guided onboarding to make it easier for new user to create their account
Guided Onboarding:
I have also created a intuitive & guided onboarding to make it easier for new user to create their account
Moving forward
Moving forward
Takeaways
The takeaways from this case studies is, I have some preconceived notion (bias) about some demographic. But taking first hand interviews, I was able to get the correct information. As this is my first case study, I have some resource limitations such as; I did not conducted the Usability study and User testing of the prototype.
The takeaways from this case studies is, I have some preconceived notion (bias) about some demographic. But taking first hand interviews, I was able to get the correct information. As this is my first case study, I have some resource limitations such as; I did not conducted the Usability study and User testing of the prototype.
Future Improvement
Future Improvement
I should add some accessibility features
Enable optional audio cues or alerts for key actions, such as expense logging or balance changes.
Provide haptic feedback (vibration) for successful actions, errors, and alerts to support users with visual impairments.
Support voice commands for app navigation and perform actions (e.g., "Check balance", "Set a budget")
Enable Full navigation through keyboard controls to accommodate user with limited dexterity
I should add some accessibility features
Enable optional audio cues or alerts for key actions, such as expense logging or balance changes.
Provide haptic feedback (vibration) for successful actions, errors, and alerts to support users with visual impairments.
Support voice commands for app navigation and perform actions (e.g., "Check balance", "Set a budget")
Enable Full navigation through keyboard controls to accommodate user with limited dexterity
I genuinely value your time spent reviewing this case study. Thank you !
I genuinely value your time spent reviewing this case study. Thank you !
If you wish to see more of my word
If you wish to see more of my word