PaySwipe
Project Brief — Fintech
Role — UX Designer, UX Researcher
Methods — User Research, Prototyping, Wireframing, User Tests, A/B Testing, Body Storming, Semi-structured Interviews
Studies — Prototyping, Interaction Design BachelorMaking payments using smartphones has made users less aware of spending money. This design solution aims to create friction in payments to make users more aware of the amount of money spent.
Research
Desktop research and interviews showed that a lot of people struggle to comprehend digital financial activities such as transactions and payments. Currently, all payments feel the same no matter the size and impact they have on a person’s economy. According to user research, the efficiency of digital payment creates an abstraction of money spending and enhances a sense of insignificance. Before digitalization, people had a sense of loss when they payed, as they had to pick the money themselves out of their wallets. More so, people were aware of the amount of money in their accounts as they looked into their wallets when they made payments.
HMW convey the feeling that a payment with digital means is an exchange of money for an item or service?
Conceptualizing & Prototyping
We conceptualized around friction and awareness of payments by creating tactile experiences through tangible prototypes. Firstly, exploring a paper prototype to enhance the sense of letting go or releasing money through a dragging motion. Secondly, exploring two prototypes to enhance friction in payments by squeezing the terminal to pay, this solution was tested in a low and hi-fidelity prototype. Thirdly, exploring a vibrating card aiming to create awareness of payments and indicate the size of the transaction through vibration.
User Testing
The different prototypes were user-tested with seven users followed by semi-structured interviews. The prototypes exploring squeezing interactions were experienced as unnatural by users as it did not necessarily relate to payments, however, users experienced awareness of the amount. Additionally, users expressed fear of pressing too long and over-exceeding the amount. The prototype exploring dragging interaction was experienced by five users as easy and efficient to use, still, increasing a sense of awareness of the payment due to the visible amount. This solution was straightforward as the majority of users could use it intuitively, even though there were some suggestions to improve the design.
“When I usually pay it is only one blip; but now you can see the amount of money and when swiping it, it is like removing it from your wallet or card.”
The UI’s are currently being redesigned.