Project Overview
Money Sense
Money Sense is designed for young adults who are managing finances for the first time. The scope of the project includes a mobile app and a responsive website. The duration of the project was July-August of 2021
View potential users interviews that became the foundation of the design by clicking Money Sense image to the left.
The Problem
Users need to know yet "money smarts" is seldom taught. Instead, real life is the teacher. The lesson often leaves a painful impact. Users need a safe, customized learning tool that teaches user selected lessons using terminology, experience simulations and mico-learning resources.
The Goal
The goal is to bring financial literacy to life with inspiration, daily tips, simulated experiences and resources. Fully responsive design gives options to select micro-learning opportunities using the device of choice.
My Role
The inspiration for this project comes from a Sharpen prompt provided through the UX Google Certification program. My role is to design a way to teach financial literacy to adults. The artifacts included show the full design process of Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test.
My Responsibilities
My responsibilities included project management and completion of all areas of development including: User research, competition analysis, product development, content research, content develpment, information architecture, wireframing, low and high fidelity design with iterations, graphic design, usability testing, and presentation preparation of the final product.
Personas
Problem Statement
Makayla is a young adult who needs a tool to help her learn financial literacy skills so that she can manage money for her needs and wants.
Problem Statement
Theo is a young professional who needs a tool to help him learn financial literacy skills so he can minimize the impact of surprise expenses in his financial planning.
Research Summary
Ideation: Low-Fidelity Designs
Home Pages
Home pages include fixed navigation with internal page scrolling capacity for the App, Mobile and Tablet designs.
My Setting
All devices contain image place holders and corresponding text with internal page scrolling capacity for the mobile and tablet designs.
Learning Launch
Usability studies indicated a variety of preferences for groupings of inspirational thoughts and daily tips. Mobile and Tablet designs include a side scroll while the desktop combines an additional prompt space for the My Life.
My Life
User testing included overlays.
Where to put them?
What to include?
Linking to resources?
Value of a hint?
All of these questions were talking points among participants and the results became future iterations.
Resources
All devices contained a scroll within set navigation. The app contains a topic organization structure. Articles appear when user selects read more.
Usability Studies
Card Sorting
The first usability study led to changes in the information architecture and the design. Money Stats was too confusing so it was eliminated. Daily tips and Inspiration got unique identities. The glossary was changed to an ABC order construction, and read more became a solid feature.
User Feedback
Users requested changes to the glossary including an alphabetical list and access to terminology within reading passages. Although not requested, a search function was added to the glossary page.
Low Fidelity Prototypes
Click on the images to view in Adobe XD.
Desktop
Tablet
Mobile
App
Ideation: High Fidelity Mockups
High Fidelity Prototypes
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Information Architecture
Accessibility
The basics of accessible design are within this project including visual hierarchy, high contrast text, and icon labels. Accessiblility concerns lead into the remaining sections of next steps and what I have learned. There is so much room for growth. I would include HTML structure for formal hierarchy, Alt text, languages, and visual and auditory assistance. Accessibility also includes a sense of belonging for users of different backgrounds and experiences. Although I tried to include diversity, I was limited by the character choices within Articulate Storyline/ Rise.
Next Steps: Design Process
Take-Aways
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