Overview
I worked as the only designer at an early stage startup to define core features such as Wishlist budget and Purchasing plans.
Industry / Project type
Fintech Mobile App
Team
1 designer, 1 PM, 2 engineers
My Role
Product designer
Tools
User problem
Young adults struggle to manage their budget dependent discretionary expenses (BDDE)
Young adults struggle to manage their budget dependent discretionary expenses (BDDE)
Business goals
Being an early stage startup the goals of the business were broad and experimental.
Being an early stage startup the goals of the business were broad and experimental.
What are budget dependent discretionary expenses?
What are budget dependent discretionary expenses?
Discretionary expenses are non-essential expenses that go beyond everyday necessities like food or rent, they are "wants", not the "needs". These expenses could range from movie tickets to international trips and depending on the individual's income could be budget dependent or budget independent.
Discretionary expenses are non-essential expenses that go beyond everyday necessities like food or rent, they are "wants", not the "needs". These expenses could range from movie tickets to international trips and depending on the individual's income could be budget dependent or budget independent.
Why are young adults struggling to manage their budget dependent discretionary expenses?
Why are young adults struggling to manage their budget dependent discretionary expenses?
I conducted interviews to uncover the hidden emotions and created journey maps to identify pain points / business opportunities at each stage of the process to gather insights that could inform my design.
I conducted interviews to uncover the hidden emotions and created journey maps to identify pain points / business opportunities at each stage of the process to gather insights that could inform my design.
“I really want to upgrade my iPhone.. I'm not sure if I can afford it right now"
“I really want to upgrade my iPhone.. I'm not sure if I can afford it right now"
“What if I buy it now and the price drops a month later and I end up regretting it?”
“What if I buy it now and the price drops a month later and I end up regretting it?”
“I think I could save up enough money for that projector if I eat out less…”
“I think I could save up enough money for that projector if I eat out less…”
How might we give users real-time visibility into the downstream budget impact of discretionary expenses, so they can make purchasing decisions with confidence?
How might we give users real-time visibility into the downstream budget impact of discretionary expenses, so they can make purchasing decisions with confidence?
I established design principles to guide me in imagining the ideal experience
I established design principles to guide me in imagining the ideal experience
To guide the design process, I established key principles focused on user experience, data presentation, and AI interaction. These principles deeply informed my designs.
To guide the design process, I established key principles focused on user experience, data presentation, and AI interaction. These principles deeply informed my designs.
Can I afford it right now?
Can I afford it right now?
When users come across a BDDE (Budget dependent discretionary expense) they want to know how the purchase may impact their budget if they bought it right now. They want to know what could be the right time to buy the item so that it fits well in their budget.
When users come across a BDDE (Budget dependent discretionary expense) they want to know how the purchase may impact their budget if they bought it right now. They want to know what could be the right time to buy the item so that it fits well in their budget.
How can I adjust my budget if I really want to buy it right now?
How can I adjust my budget if I really want to buy it right now?
If users lack the sufficient funds to make a desired purchase, they can visually see the deficit amount and transfer the same from other spend categories to stay on track with their budget.
If users lack the sufficient funds to make a desired purchase, they can visually see the deficit amount and transfer the same from other spend categories to stay on track with their budget.
I still need some advice, who do I ask?
I still need some advice, who do I ask?
Conversations with AI exist within context, so users can get specific, ask questions and get a more personalized experience.
Conversations with AI exist within context, so users can get specific, ask questions and get a more personalized experience.
Building scalable design system and component library
Building scalable design system and component library
Outcomes and next steps
Outcomes and next steps
Sorry!
Thank youuuu!