Budget Compass
Helping everyday users take control of their finances through clarity and calm design.
Self-Initiated
Year:
2024
Timeframe:
3 weeks
Tools:
Figma · FigJam · Maze
Overview
Personal finance is often a source of anxiety rather than empowerment. Budget Compass was born from a desire to strip away the complexity of traditional banking apps and create a serene, focused environment where users can quickly understand their financial health without feeling overwhelmed by charts, jargon, or cross-selling.
Problem
Research with five users found that all had abandoned budgeting apps within three months, often because the experience made them feel worse about money. Existing apps also presented too much information upfront, making it difficult for users to understand what required their attention
Solution
I designed a simplified experience centred around a Budget Health score, weekly spending insights, contextual nudges, and clearer budget controls. Usability testing showed 4/4 participants could assess their budget health in under 8 seconds. I iterated the interface based on testing, including clearer labels and stronger visual hierarchy.
