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Overview.
Streamlining shared expense management
Dutchee aims to make sharing and dividing expenses among friends or groups easier and stress-free. It offers a range of features to simplify the experience.
I led the end-to-end user experience and synthesized user insights into feasible design decisions & deliverables.
Peek into the solution…
Experience at a glance...
So, how did I get all the way here?
Early Findings.
Source: CreditCards.com
Newpoll survey of 1000 Americans
I first began to draw from statistics related to the target audience and their financial behaviors—
Studies show that as a young adult, you have an even higher chance of a bad experience with money settlement due to various factors such as limited financial experience and exposure.
User Analysis.
Breaking down into user segments ↘
I broke down the target audience into user segments based on the criteria given. Below are common situational groups so individual characteristics aren't too significant.
User Research.
I wanted to hear from the users themselves.
Qualitative Data
I conducted interviews with 20 individuals from ages 18-28. I asked a range of open-ended questions to delve into their financial behaviors, as well as their preferences regarding bill splitting and expense management.
To get a better understanding of user needs, lets take a look at some insightful user stories shared ↓
Quantitative Data
I further collected measurable data from surveys to support my research with results that are quantifiable. ↓
+15 questions
Q: What is the biggest challenge you face when splitting expenses?
85% of people use apps to share costs and send money between friends and 60% of those have admit that they find it difficult to navigate the app’s interface.
Key findings & Affinity Mapping.
Affinity mapping helped me organize various concepts that emerged from user research. I visually grouped related ideas, pain points, and user needs, providing a clear and structured overview of the user-centric aspects. ↓
Efficiency & Time Optimization
Users want a seamless and quick user experience, minimizing tedious steps.
Frustrations & Challenges
Users struggle with complicated calculations and having to put in excessive effort to track expenses.
Needs/Wish
Users wish for intuitive tools for different occasions and want to stay updated with chnages.
Human/Social Factors
Users seek transparency and want to avoid confusion, potentially straining relationships with friends.
User Persona.
Understanding Our Audience…
This was a crucial step to prioritize features, functionality, and design elements based on the needs of our audience and serve as a reference point when designing.
Competitive Analysis.
Hold on. First, what are others doing?
I analyzed the 3 most popular bill-splitting apps in the market to determine which features are most appreciated and to identify their shortcomings. Though each has its pros & cons, most lacked features that could easily accommodate to any situation given, causing users to resort to manual calculations. This presented an opportunity for a solution.
Information Architecture.
Wireframe ⟶ Hi-fidelity Screens.
To help illustrate the user flow and navigation within the product, I visualized design solutions before they are fully developed.
+48 screens
Onboarding.
A way of visual storytelling...
These screens are the first things users see when they launch the app and is responsible for presenting the most important functions of Dutchee. I took this opportunity to paint a picture using fun illustrations and compelling captions.
Sign Up.
Quick, but Secure.
During user research, interviewees voiced their wishes for a swift onboarding process without cumbersome steps to onboard the application. I minimized the amount of manual info collected through bank identity verification.
Fast Access.
There are several ways to quickly start a shared expense.
Split Bill.
Users desired flexible splitting options to accommodate different scenarios, but not an overwhelming array like 'Splitwise' offers, where many choices go unused. Here, it allows you to split bills equally or into different portions.
Split by Items.
Convenience & accuracy…
For those times when you want to calculate each person's fair share. You can input items manually, or scanning a check will conveniently automate your bill to avoid mistakes on your end.
Assign items to each participant, review and edit the check, choose a target date, then send it off! You can add a note as well. Participants will be able to view any details of the check ensuring financial transparency for everyone.
Activity.
Dutchee keeps a comprehensive record of all activity including settlements. Easily track payment status as well as complete a request & send a friendly reminder. Interviewees wanted to be able to send friendly reminders for unsettled debt so it doesn’t result to delays and frustrations.
Groups.
Users voiced difficulty coordinating and splitting expenses during group activities with multiple expenses. With 'Groups', you can create and manage multiple groups, keeping track of all ongoing expenses, so you can enjoy your time without worrying!
Accessibility.
Being mindful about accessibility...
To allow accessibility upon all users, I followed WCAG standards for recommended text sizes, spacing, and contrast ratios using the help of Figma’s accessibility tools. There are great ones out there, easily accessible!
Design System.
Thinking about adaptability...
With various screen sizes and platforms being used, logos can't be designed with a one-size-fits-all approach anymore. Logos must be flexible in terms of size, intricacy, and arrangement to seamlessly adjust to their placement within different environments and contexts thus, I created three different responsive logos.
Responsive Logotype
Design/Brand library
Reflection.
If I had more time...
I would invest more time in comprehensive usability testing & A/B testing to fine-tune the app and validate design decisions. It would really add a sense of ownership and improved satisfaction for my app.
What I learned...
I learned the importance of thoroughly understanding users' needs and pain points, going beyond, by looking and listening through an empathetic lens to achieve user-centric design.
How to measure success?
Looking Ahead.
If the app went live...
I would measure success through various metrics to assess its performance and impact. Few include:
User Feedback: Gathering user feedback through testing, surveys, reviews, and ratings. Paying attention to both positive and negative feedback to identify areas for improvement and features that resonate well with users.
Retention Rate: Tracking the percentage of users who continue to use the app over time. High retention rates indicate that users find value in the app and are likely to keep using it in the future.
© 2023 Crafted with love by Emily Gayoun Lee