Budget Buddy -Budgeting App
I design an app that provides a comprehensive and convenient way to track and manage personal finances.
Project Overview
Role:
Timeline:
Team:
Tools used:
UX/UI Designer
3 months 02/2024 to 05/2024
3 members
Figma, Google Docs, Zoom,
Problem
Many individuals struggle to manage their finances due to:
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Lack of financial literacy
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Overwhelming or complex budgeting tools
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Difficulty tracking daily expenses consistently
As a result, users often lose control over their spending and savings.
Discover
Define
Ideate
Design
Testing
Research
To inform the design, I analyzed popular budgeting apps to understand their strengths, limitations, and target users. I also reviewed app store feedback to capture real user frustrations, including complex interfaces and time-consuming tracking. These insights shaped a design approach focused on simplicity, clarity, and ease of use.
User Interviews
To move beyond assumptions and better understand real financial behaviors, I conducted semi-structured interviews with 8 participants (5 students and 3 young professionals) via Google Meet and Zoom. These sessions provided insight into how users manage their finances, the tools they rely on, and the challenges they encounter.
The goal was to uncover not only behaviors, but underlying motivations and pain points. Insights were synthesized through affinity mapping, revealing key themes such as inconsistency in tracking, complex interfaces, and limited financial clarity—informing a design focused on simplicity and usability.
User Persona
Affinity Diagram
Pain Points
Interface Complexity
Feature-rich interfaces with various tools and options might overwhelm new users
Financial Roadmap
Users want the app to have features to set objectives, goals, track progress and achieve their financial goals succesfully
Entry Frustration
Manual data entry can be time-consuming, error-prone and often leads to incomplete financial information
Solutions
Intuitive Interface Design
Simplify the layout
Use intuitive icons and labels
Guide users through a step-by-step setup process
Goals and Plans Tracking
Set financial goals and plans, such as vacations or paying off debts
Track their progress
Provide reminder/ encouragement to stay on track
Link to Bank Accounts
Link their accounts to automatically import transactions
Set budget limits for different categories
Ideation
Defining the design
Color choice: BLUE AND GOLD-YELLOW
Blue - is often associated with Swiss franc.
Typeface: KANIT
BUDGET BUDDY
BUDGET BUDDY
BUDGET BUDDY
Prototyping
Mockups
Next Steps
Expand testing to include a wider range of users in order to validate design decisions and uncover new usability improvements.
Enhance the overall experience by introducing subtle animations that support smoother interactions and feedback.
Review and improve accessibility to ensure the app is easy to use for people with different needs and abilities.
Explore the potential of incorporating intelligent features that provide more personalized financial insights and guidance.
