2020 | Product Launching | UX/UI Design
INTRO
Small businesses often struggle to access fair and sustainable investment opportunities. This project involved creating a sustainable financial management platform that reimagines economic models to empower small businesses with investments from everyday people, who are rewarded based on their risk preferences.
I contributed to this initiative from conceptualization to design, mapping out the client’s vision while managing the challenges of limited user testing in the initial phases.
This project was a complete build-from-scratch initiative with a bold and complex mission: to develop an entirely new economic model that democratized investments for small businesses.
The platform had two distinct interfaces:
Finance and project management interface: Designed for sellers to manage their offers, track orders, and oversee financial aspects efficiently.
Marketplace interface: A user-facing platform where users could publish and browse offers. This interface allowed users to buy products and select their payment terms based on the risk level they were comfortable taking.
This project started from scratch, requiring the entire user journey to be conceptualized and designed.
One of the biggest challenges was mapping out the client's vision, who initially had a well-defined approach and limited flexibility regarding features due to the complexity of his model. Compounding this, conducting user testing early on was not possible, making it necessary to rely heavily on internal feedback loops and stakeholder input.
How might we create a user-friendly platform that makes a complex new economic model accessible and engaging for both investors and small businesses?
_ Client vision mapping
I worked closely with the client to visualize and structure his ideas. This included translating his financial model concepts into coherent user journeys. We co-created a visual framework of the platform during workshops to align business goals and feature priorities while accommodating a user-centered approach.
Complex model simplification
Developed wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes focusing on simplifying the financial model for both interfaces. I used clear visual representations and step-by-step journeys to avoid overwhelming users.
Stakeholder feedback
Conducted multiple feedback sessions to test assumptions and validate design decisions. Collaborating closely with business stakeholders allowed us to bridge gaps and improve interface usability despite the lack of user testing.
Interface refinement
Ensured users could publish their offers effortlessly and explore different payment options. The design emphasized clarity and decision-making assistance, using a guided flow to explain payment risks intuitively.
_ Brand identity
I played a key role in shaping the brand identity by conducting an extensive benchmark of industry trends and best practices. This research provided valuable insights to define a distinctive and cohesive brand positioning.
I also crafted mood boards to visually capture the brand's tone and personality, guiding design decisions to ensure a consistent and impactful user experience across all touchpoints.
_ Wireframing and prototyping
Given the complexity of the platform's offering, it was essential to prioritize clarity. I designed a step-by-step onboarding process to guide users through investment options and risk models.
Through multiple design iterations and close collaboration with stakeholders, I developed seamless user experiences that translated intricate financial concepts into clear, engaging flows.
Unfortunately, the design part of the project was paused due to development delays, impacting the ability to continue refining and testing the platform design.
Key achievements:
Designed a clear and educational user flow to simplify complex investment concepts
Created scalable prototypes ready for development
This project reinforced the importance of:
Working on this project was a valuable lesson in transforming complex financial concepts into intuitive, user-friendly experiences. Navigating an entirely new investment model demanded not only a deep understanding of finance, but also the ability to distill complex ideas into accessible flows for everyday users.
By mapping the client’s ambitious vision and translating abstract concepts into practical design solutions, I laid the foundation for a platform with the potential to disrupt traditional investment systems. The experience enhanced the importance of adaptability, clear communication, and thoughtful design in creating solutions that are both impactful and easy to navigate.
