SmartPocket - Case Study
The Problem
Tracking expenses is cumbersome and time-consuming,
yet it's crucial for effective budget management.
Research indicates that managing personal finances ranks as one of the top stressors in daily life. The challenge of budgeting effectively can lead to significant anxiety, as people attempt to balance their income with their expenses while planning for future financial security.
For this case study, I explored the question: how might we simplify the process of tracking expenses and create a more stress-free budgeting experience?
The Solution
A user-friendly interface that visualizes financial data clearly and engagingly
Research
User Research
1
Pain Point
2
Pain Point
3
Pain Point
User Jounrey Map
Competitive Audit
Goal: Compare the user experience and features of each competitor's app.
Competitors include 3 direct competitors and 1 indirect competitor.
Starting the design
Paper Wireframes
Digital Wireframes
Creating Budget
Budget with Buddy
Expenses and Analytics
Usability Study: Parameters
Study Type
Unmoderated Usability Study
Location
India, Remote
Participants
5 Participants
Length
15-20 Minutes
UX Research Study Plan
Usability Study: Findings
1
Finding
Users were confused about different keywords in different places.
2
Finding
Users were unsure of which button to click first to complete the ‘add budget’ task.
3
Finding
Users wanted a simpler design that was natural for them to navigate through.
Refining the design
Mockups
Interactive App using Bolt
1
Originally, Bolt had presented the spending data in a bar chart format. For improved visualization and to make the data more accessible and easier to understand, I changed this to a donut chart.
Before
After
Before
After
2
I adjusted the colour palette in Bolt from red to green for expense visualisation to maintain consistency across the app. Additionally, I added red asterisks to required fields in Bolt's design to clarify essential data inputs, enhancing user understanding and streamlining transaction entries.
Accesibility Considerations
1
Checked colour contrast ratio using WEBAIM to consider accessibility.
2
I used landmarks to help users navigate the site, including users who rely on assistive technologies.
3
I used headings with different sized text for clear visual hierarchy.
Going Forward
Take Aways
Our target users shared that the design was intuitive to navigate through, more engaging with the images, and demonstrated a clear visual hierarchy.
I learned that even a small design change can have a huge impact on the user experience. The most important takeaway for me is to always focus on the real needs of the user when coming up with design ideas and solutions.
Next Steps
Through follow-up usability testing on the new website, I gained valuable feedback. Our target users expressed that the design was intuitive, engaging with its visuals, and demonstrated a clear hierarchy that made navigation simple. This process taught me that even minor design changes could profoundly enhance the user experience. The key takeaway for me is the importance of continually focusing on the real needs of the users when developing design ideas and solutions. With more time, I would like to expand the SmartPocket product line by introducing additional features like tailored saving plans and advanced financial forecasting. With additional funding from these expansions, SmartPocket could evolve into a comprehensive hub for budget management and financial planning. Additionally, launching an online platform to offer personalized financial advice could extend its reach, helping more users to achieve financial stability and growth.
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