SmartSave Budgeting App
Role: UI/UX Designer
This UX case study showcases the journey of designing the SmartSave budgeting application, which aims to inspire positive saving habits, simplify user onboarding, offer customization options, and leverage AI for efficient budget management.
Problem: Existing budgeting applications often fail to engage users in a meaningful way, resulting in low adoption rates and limited long-term use. Users tend to struggle with navigating complex interfaces and lack motivation to develop sustainable saving habits.
Project Goals:
Enhance User Engagement: Motivate users to consistently interact with the app through gamification and positive reinforcement.
Streamline Onboarding: Minimize the learning curve and encourage users to explore features without feeling overwhelmed.
Customization: Allow users to tailor the app's functions to align with their unique financial goals.
AI Integration: Introduce AI-driven features for automated categorization, predictive insights, and personalized recommendations.
Research Phase
For our research phase, we analyzed the competitive landscape to identify gaps and opportunities that our app could capitalize on. Our team also conducted secondary research to understand user behaviors, motivations, and pain points related to budgeting apps. We interviewed individuals who use productivity apps to uncover general user preferences and app interaction patterns, and with this data, we developed user personas representing diverse financial goals and habits.
Key Insights:
Interview Findings:
Ideation
Before jumping into design, our team came together for a brainstorming session to get a better grasp of the direction we wanted to take. We asked ourselves a handful of “How might we” questions, and sketched as many designs as we could think of in a limited time using a method called “crazy 8 sketches”.
Design Decisions + Features
Our team narrowed down 6 main design features that we wanted to highlight and implement into our application.
Hi-fi Mockups + Prototype
Our final design and prototype (built on Figma) can be seen below.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
Through user-centric design principles, the SmartSave budgeting app has successfully in reimagining the budgeting experience. By addressing user pain points, offering customization, and leveraging AI capabilities, the app not only simplifies budget management but also motivates users to develop healthier financial habits. This case study underscores the importance of continuous user involvement, iterative design, and innovative technology in crafting impactful user experiences.
Some Key takeaways from this project:
Understanding user motivations and pain points is foundational to designing effective solutions.
Gamification and customization can significantly boost user engagement and satisfaction.
AI integration enhances the app's utility and offers personalized value.