The Approach That I Followed

To complete the project I followed the Jesse James Garrett’s method knows as the Elements of User Experience. This method allowed us to cut through the complexity of user-centred design. W e decided to use this method as gave us the big picture of the user experience development, from strategy and requirements to information architecture and visual design.

Research

I began by investigating the broader banking sector, including both traditional institutions and emerging online banking apps. I focused on understanding the services that help people manage their finances quickly and effortlessly in their daily lives.

My main goal was to explore the role that online banks can play in supporting individuals with busy schedules and multiple responsibilities. I wanted to understand how digital banking platforms can provide fast, accessible, and clear financial information — empowering users to make informed decisions that suit their personal and financial goals.

Competitive Analysis

By conducting a competitive analysis we discovered the following:

• All four banks offered a core set of services, including a mobile app, website, blog, and overdraft features.
• Three out of the four had no physical branches and did not provide mortgage or pension options.
• Two of the banks did not support cash withdrawals, limiting flexibility for users who occasionally rely on physical banking services.
• These findings helped me identify both common standards in the sector and key gaps that could present opportunities for differentiation in the Coin app.

User Interview

From my initial research, it became clear that modern banking is about more than just managing money — it’s about enabling financial control and convenience in a fast-paced world. To gain deeper insights, I conducted user interviews focused on both frequent users and occasional users of digital banking apps.

I aimed to understand their behaviors, frustrations, and expectations — particularly how they manage their finances while juggling busy schedules and multiple responsibilities. Many were looking for fast, clear access to their financial information and tools that could support better decision-making without adding complexity to their lives.

Affinity Mapping Sessions

I began with the first stage of the design process — aiming to develop an empathic understanding of the problem I was trying to solve. This involved exploring various research methods to uncover meaningful insights and guide my design decisions.

User Personas & Journey Maps

Below are the two proto personas–and their overlapping goals, motivations, needs, and pain points.

Problem Statement

After synthesizing insights from my research and interviews, I identified a key opportunity for the Coin app: helping busy professionals manage their finances with speed, clarity, and confidence. I used this understanding to shape the core problem statement and guide my design decisions moving forward.

Design Principles

My research insights helped me determine that the solution should deliver the following key benefits for users.

Context Scenario

John, a 39-year-old lawyer, is managing his finances on the go while balancing his demanding work schedule. He often has back-to-back meetings and doesn’t have the time to visit a bank or call for assistance. John is tech-savvy but prefers simple and efficient solutions that help him manage his accounts and keep track of his spending.

Today, he needs to quickly transfer money between his accounts and check if he has enough balance to pay an upcoming bill. He’s looking for a fast way to navigate his banking app and perform these tasks without having to search through multiple screens. His main concern is security, as he handles sensitive financial data regularly.

Types of Research methods I Performed

This is where it all started. I needed to define what I wanted to achieve with the product, understand the users’ needs, and figure out the best way to approach the project. To do this, I carried out several types of research to guide my direction.

Typography

Inter is a variable sans serif typeface created by Rasmus Andersson. Whether used at large or small sizes, Inter maintains great readability. Features a tall x-height to aid in readability of mixed-case and lower-case text. Not only does this make it easier to differentiate between upper and lowercase letters, but it also helps to create space between lines of text. This gives each line room to breathe, even at squint-inducing sizes.

Typography

Inter is a variable sans serif typeface created by Rasmus Andersson. Whether used at large or small sizes, Inter maintains great readability. Features a tall x-height to aid in readability of mixed-case and lower-case text. Not only does this make it easier to differentiate between upper and lowercase letters, but it also helps to create space between lines of text. This gives each line room to breathe, even at squint-inducing sizes.

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

I wanted to visualize the user experience when interacting with the Coin app. By creating wireframes, I was able to define the layout and structure without focusing too much on visual details. This approach helped me explore different ideas, solve layout challenges, and iterate quickly without getting caught up in the finer design elements too early.

Low-Fidelity Wireframes