FinTech App for Global Money Transfers

Stage 1. Usability Audit

Before diving into the design phase, I conducted a usability audit to identify pain points in existing financial transaction apps and ensure an optimized user experience. This process helped uncover usability issues, improve efficiency, and establish a strong foundation for the new design.


Research Approach

I analysed competitor apps and user feedback to identify common friction points in digital money transfers. The audit focused on:

• Navigation & Flow Efficiency: How easily users complete transactions.

• Clarity & Transparency: Visibility of fees, exchange rates, and transaction details.

• Error Handling & Security: How well apps prevent and guide users through errors.

• Mobile vs. Desktop Usability: Differences in user behaviour and expectations across devices.


Key Findings:

• Complex Onboarding: Some apps had long and tedious signup processes, leading to drop-offs.

• Confusing Transaction Status: Users struggled to track payment progress and history.

• Hidden Fees & Exchange Rates: A lack of upfront cost transparency led to user frustration.

• Inefficient Recipient Management: Adding and managing recipients required too many steps.

• Security Concerns: Some apps failed to provide reassuring security indicators.


Actionable Insights:

Based on these findings, I set design goals to enhance usability:

• Simplify onboarding with a step-by-step guided flow.

• Improve transaction tracking with clear status indicators and real-time updates.

• Display all fees and exchange rates upfront to build user trust.

• Streamline recipient management with saved contacts and quick actions.

• Reinforce security with clear UI elements like biometric authentication and verification steps.

Stage 2. Design Strategy

With insights from the usability audit, I crafted a design strategy focused on simplicity, transparency, and efficiency to enhance the user experience for both domestic and international transactions. The goal was to create an intuitive, secure, and visually cohesive platform across mobile and desktop.

1. Design Principles

To guide the design process, I established the following core principles:

• User-Centric Navigation: Ensure quick access to key actions like sending, requesting, and tracking payments.

• Transparency & Trust: Clearly display fees, exchange rates, and transaction statuses to build confidence.

• Efficiency & Speed: Minimise steps and cognitive load, allowing users to complete transactions in seconds.

• Security & Assurance: Integrate intuitive security features like biometric login, OTP verification, and fraud prevention indicators.

• Consistency Across Devices: Maintain a seamless experience between mobile and desktop versions while optimising for different screen sizes.


2. Wireframing & Information Architecture

To structure the app effectively, I developed a user flow that prioritised key tasks:

1. Home Dashboard: Quick access to balances, recent transactions, and shortcuts for sending/requesting money.

2. Send Money Flow: A streamlined process with saved recipients, real-time fee calculations, and instant confirmations.

3. Request Money Flow: A simple method to request payments with clear tracking and reminders.

4. Transaction History: A categorised and filterable view of past payments for easy reference.

5. Recipient Management: A dedicated section to add, edit, and organise contacts effortlessly.


3. Mobile-First Approach

Since financial transactions are often conducted on the go, I designed for mobile first, focusing on touch-friendly interactions, clear CTAs, and a minimalistic UI. Once validated, I expanded the design to desktop, enhancing usability with additional screen space for detailed financial insights.


4. Visual & Interaction Design

• Colour & Typography: A professional yet approachable colour palette with clear visual hierarchy.

• Iconography & Micro-interactions: Subtle animations and icons to enhance usability without overwhelming the user.

• Accessibility Considerations: High-contrast text, voice support, and keyboard navigation for inclusivity.

Stage 3. Prototype Development

• Wire-framing: I began the prototyping phase by creating low-fidelity wireframes to establish the app’s structure and user flows. These wireframes focused on core interactions, such as sending and requesting money, viewing transaction history, and managing recipients. By keeping the designs minimal, I was able to iterate quickly based on early feedback, ensuring an intuitive and efficient layout before refining the visual details.
  
  

• High-Fidelity Prototyping: Once the wireframes were validated, I developed high-fidelity prototypes using Figma. These interactive prototypes incorporated real-world scenarios, enabling stakeholders to experience the complete transaction flow. I focused on seamless navigation, micro-interactions, and responsiveness across mobile and desktop. Usability testing with these prototypes helped refine elements like button placements, error states, and confirmation dialogs, ensuring a frictionless user experience.
  
  

• User Interface Design: With usability validated, I applied the final UI design, balancing aesthetics with functionality. I used a modern, trustworthy colour palette, legible typography, and clear visual hierarchy to enhance readability and accessibility. Consistent iconography and subtle animations added clarity, while security indicators reassured users throughout the transaction process. The final design provided a polished, intuitive experience that met both user expectations and business objectives.