• UI/UX Designer
    Researcher
    Writer

  • Pen & Paper
    InVision
    Figma

  • BrainStation UX Diploma
    Capstone Project
    10 Weeks

 

SO, WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

Financial literacy isn’t taught in Canadian schools

40%

of young Canadians report that money is a daily concern

55%

of young Canadians struggle with numeracy skills

65%

of young Canadians don’t feel confident about their finances

66%

of young Canadians live paycheque to paycheque

Let’s talk to the people!

What makes learning about finances so difficult?
I conducted 6 interviews and uncovered three major pain points for learners: embarrassment, decentralized information, and a lack of public resources.

  • Feelings of Embarrassment

    People experience embarrassment and shame about their conceived level of financial literacy

  • Decentralized Information

    Resources on Canadian financial literacy exist, but are decentralized, and take a lot of time to absorb

  • Lack of Public Resources

    It is a systemic failure that financial education isn’t included in public curricula

UNDERSTANDING THE USER

 

“As a learner, I want lessons to be all in one place, so that staying organized is effortless, and it’s clear what I should focus on.”
- Nora

Read User Stories

Core Epic & Task Flow

In exploring Nora’s current user journey, I realized that her biggest struggle is feeling overwhelmed trying to learn online. So, I focused on designing bite-sized lessons for Nora, so concepts are digestible.

Lessons need to be memorable, fun, and engaging. And Nora needs to be able to learn on the go. Imagining Nora using welling. from her phone on the train during her commute home, I decided to focus on the task of Nora finishing a lesson activity. Short! And! Sweet!

See Process

IDEATION & ITERATION

SKETCHING

WIRE FRAMING

User Testing

Based on two rounds of user testing, I made several improvements to my wireframes:

1. Listed of lessons on module summary page turned to cards for better legibility and clickability
2. Added progress bar or road map to the top of the Lesson List page
3. Included percentage or numerical value on progress bars on lesson activity pages
4. Added more spacing on lesson cards on lesson list page
5. Added header to lesson list page, and cards into units or sections
6. Changed active state to a colour instead of a filled icon

BRANDING

Visual Identity

It was very important to me for the visual identity of the project to feel really friendly, fun, and approachable, wanting the user to feel empowered, inspired, and supported in making big money moves. No big banking bullies here! Zero intimidation.

I’ve used minimalist design throughout, and kept things simple, and familiar for the user. I went with bold colours, and abstract geometric shapes to bring energy and playfulness to a topic that often feels rigid, stuffy, and serious.

BRAND GOALS

  • Support

    Support young Canadians by providing them with cohesive financial education resources

  • Self-efficacy

    Generate self-efficacy, confidence, and empowerment in young Canadians’ financial decision making

  • Equity

    Create equitable access to quality financial education for all

DESIGN SOLUTION

Why welling?

Through my interviews, I came to realize that so many young Canadians think about finances and financial literacy as being scarce. I wanted to communicate abundance. An overpouring of support. A bursting spring of confidence. A welling knowledge of finance!

See Process
 

Prototype

welling. is a centralized and cohesive educational resource of fundamental financial concepts. Made for young people in Canada to achieve increased financial literacy, and higher levels of self-efficacy in financial decision making.

The design emphasizes ease, using a minimalist approach to information architecture. The user can easily complete a lesson on Income Tax at their own pace, from their own place.

Check Out welling.

  • Marketing Website

    I designed a marketing website for the welling. native mobile app, in the hopes that people like Nora can get started making their big money moves, and feeling good about their financial knowledge.

    Visit Site

  • Mobile Website

    Considering responsive design, I also crafted a marketing website for mobile. This way, should someone be on the go, they could easily come across welling. as a solution.

    Visit Site

  • welling. for Desktop

    As a learning app, I thought it was important to design welling. for desktop as well. For those ready to hunker down at home, the desktop version allows for some deeper learning.

    See Prototype

IMPACT & FUTURE THINKING

  • IMPACT

    So, what would all of our lives look like right now, had we received an awesome, robust financial education? What about our communities?

    Imagine– a future with less household debt, increased financial security, and freedom.

  • KEY LEARNINGS

    • UX design is not a linear process, and moving to different phases in cycles aids creative problem-solving.

    • Let the user guide your decision making

    • Your biases will show up in your design work, and it is of the utmost importance to take responsibility for these to make inclusive and accessible work

  • FUTURE THINKING

    If welling. was entirely dedicated to empowering the lives of an underserved population, what kind of impact could it make?

    Bringing financial security, stability, and independence to marginalized and underserved folx would have a tremendous impact, and this very consideration has been at the heart of welling.’s creation and development.

Appendix

    • Build out curriculum and lesson activities with varying multimedia


    • Gain insight from more intersectional users, with more varying backgrounds

    • Continue secondary research to better inform UI design, integrate animation, and draw my own illustrations


    • Better consider accessibility throughout my design, and ensure all would benefit from its use

  • Thanks for your curiosity about my work!

    To see an expanded version of my process and my UI Library please visit the following link:

  • Should you have any questions about my process or project, please feel free to reach out to me at stpelka@gmail.com. I’m more than happy to get deep into the work with you.

Let’s work together!

Like what you see? I’d love to hear from you!
I’m currently looking to join a creative team.

stpelka@gmail.com
(519) 903-8555

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