Invest Union

Website & App

Invest Union is a platform created to connect investors, entrepreneurs, and financial professionals in a collaborative and supportive environment. The platform focuses on building a strong community where members can share investment ideas, collaborate on opportunities, and grow their portfolios together.

Client

Invest Union

Services

UX Design

Industries

Fintech

Date

June 2024

Problem

User research revealed that Invest Union users face challenges connecting with communities and mentors to explore new opportunities. They also struggle with tracking investment performance, leading to frustration. The solution simplifies networking while creating a more personalized experience.

Solution

User research revealed that Invest Union users face challenges connecting with communities and mentors to explore new opportunities. They also struggle with tracking investment performance, leading to frustration. The solution simplifies networking while creating a more personalized experience.

Design Process

• Followed the design thinking framework, starting with in-depth user research to uncover pain points and user needs. • Conducted user research based on a usability study. • Analized user behaviors and pain points, to create personas that represented key segments of our target audience. • Mapped out the user journey to understand how users would interact with the communities. • Developed an Usability Testing with first wireframes and low-fi prototypes. • Designed High-Fi Prototypes. • Searched feedback, applied new testing and established iteration stages.

Results

• Implemented community filters using tags and investment types for easier discovery. • Introduced detailed mentor profiles with expertise, experience, and reviews for personalized connections. • Developed interactive charts and graphs to enhance portfolio analysis and investment tracking. • Created a real-time transaction monitoring system for detailed updates, improving transparency. • Simplified navigation through improved wireframes and prototypes, ensuring a smooth user experience. • Continuously refined the platform through feedback and usability testing to enhance overall functionality.

I conducted user research based on a usability study with unmoderated interviews involving 5 participants from diverse backgrounds who were interested in investment and community networking.

UX Research

User research revealed that Invest Union users face challenges connecting with communities and mentors to explore new opportunities. They also struggle with tracking investment performance, leading to frustration. The solution simplifies networking while creating a more personalized experience.

User Pain Points 1. Difficulty finding communities: Users struggle to discover and connect with communities that match their specific interests. 2. Challenges with  the investment: Many users find it difficult to easily track the buy/sell process of a crypto. 3. Connect with Investors: Users face challenges in connecting with experienced mentors for personalized guidance.

Personas

By analyzing the user behaviors, goals, and pain points, I created personas that represented key segments of our target audience. These personas guided the design process, ensuring that every feature and interaction aligned with the real-world needs of our users.

Robert Thompson

Robert is a software engineer with a strong interest in personal finance and investing. He has a good understanding of the stock market, he feels that his investment strategy could benefit from more diverse insights and better collaboration with other investors. • Age: 32 years • Education: Master • Hometown: London, UK • Family: Single • Occupation: Software Engineer

Goals • Portfolio diversification: He seeks to diversify his portfolio beyond the usual stocks. • Expand knowledge: He wants to deepen his understanding of different investment strategies and asset classes. • Network building: He aims to connect with other investors, especially those with expertise in areas he’s less familiar with. Frustrations • Overwhelming information: the financial information can be overwhelming, making it difficult to understand. • “Investing can feel isolating without a network of peers to discuss strategies and ideas.” • Security concerns: He is wary of apps that don’t prioritize the security of his financial data.

Sitemap

When developing the sitemap for Invest Union, my primary goal was to create a clear and intuitive information architecture that would enhance the user experience by making it easier for users to navigate the platform. By organizing content logically and prioritizing essential features, I aimed to streamline the user journey, ensuring that users could efficiently find and connect with investment communities, access mentors, and track their portfolios.

Wireframes

I began by sketching paper wireframes to explore various layout options, focusing on user needs and pain points. These concepts were then refined into digital wireframes, allowing for more detailed adjustments and preparing for usability testing.

Prototypes

With our first wireframes and low-fi prototypes I conducted a second user test looking for new findings and insights that were included in the high-fi prototype.

Invest Union Screen Coin and Investor Faces

Solutions & Improvements

1. For communities: Incorporate filters, including tags, keywords, and investment types, to help users easily find and join communities that align with their specific needs. 2. For mentors: Create detailed mentor profiles with information about their experience, areas of expertise, and user reviews. 3. For Investment: Implement interactive charts and graphs that allow users to drill down into specific investments. 4. For transactions: Create a monitoring visual system that provides detailed, real-time information on transactions.

Impact

With the improved ability to discover and join relevant communities, there has been a substantial rise in both the number of active participants and the creation of new communities. Users are more likely to contribute valuable insights, ask questions, and share experiences when they are in communities that align with their interests and expertise. This project showcases the power of user research and also reinforces my commitment to creating intuitive and user-centered designs that transform user experiences.