Gamified Financial Education App
This case study outlines the design of FinQuest, a mobile app for improving financial literacy in young adults. Featuring personalized learning, gamified quizzes, and tools for budgeting and investing, FinQuest simplifies complex concepts to help users build financial confidence and achieve their goals interactively.
Problem
Young adults, aged 18-29, often lack adequate financial literacy, making it challenging for them to manage personal finances effectively. Traditional financial education methods have not engaged this demographic, resulting in low retention and application of financial knowledge. FinQuest addresses this by turning financial learning into an interactive, gamified experience designed for today's digital natives.
Solution
Design Process
The project adhered to the Double Diamond design model, progressing through Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver phases. In Discover, research on clients and competitors identified user needs and gaps in existing financial education tools. During Define, the problem and solution were refined. Develop focused on creating wireframes, user flows, and prototypes through iterative testing. Finally, in Deliver, high-fidelity designs were finalised and usability testing ensured the app met user expectations.
Discover
The research focused on understanding the problem space and identifying user needs. Through extensive research, user surveys, and competitor analysis, we gathered key insights about the financial literacy challenges faced by young adults. This foundational work set the stage for a user-centered solution, ensuring the design decisions were based on real-world pain points and preferences.
Target Demographics
Research shows that only one-third of adults worldwide have a solid understanding of basic financial principles. The app focuses on young adults aged 18-29, especially those starting their careers. This tech-savvy group prefers digital learning and requires engaging, interactive experiences to effectively retain financial concepts.
Competitor Analysis
Define
Empathy Map
User Persona
User Persona
KANO - MoSCoW Model
The FinQuest application aims to help young adults easily engage with financial concepts. With many young students lacking basic financial knowledge and facing potential debt, this app seeks to make finance approachable and enjoyable. By including community-driven features and current financial news, it fosters an informative and engaging learning environment. The goal is to equip young adults with the skills and confidence to navigate the complexities of finance.
Prposed Features
Develop
Crazy 8 Sketches
Information Architecture
Mid Fidelity Screens
Transforming paper sketches into digital wireframes, here are some low-fidelity screens that were prototyped and used for user testing:
Style Guide
The FinQuest style guide ensures a cohesive and engaging visual identity, blending modern hand-drawn illustrations with a thoughtful color palette. The design follows the 60-30-10 rule, featuring Deep Sea Green for financial stability, vibrant Orange for enthusiasm, and calming Blue and Grey for balance. The sans-serif typeface "Lato" enhances readability, while intuitive icons and user-friendly UI components ensure seamless interactions. Subtle animations complement the gamified experience, and the logo symbolizes growth, reinforcing the app’s purpose and usability.
Deliver
The Deliver stage brings together all the research and design efforts, showcasing how each phase contributes to a cohesive solution. Below are the final screens of FinQuest, highlighting its user-focused and interactive design (while remaining open to future iterations).
Onboarding and Registration
A simple and interactive onboarding process to welcome users into the app. The avatar customisation option adds a personal touch to the experience. The design ensures users feel connected from the start while making registration quick and hassle-free.
Personalised Dashboard and Home
The home screen adapts to user preferences, offering content based on individual interests. Users can easily access personalised recommendations, ongoing challenges, and recent activity. This tailored approach keeps the experience relevant and engaging.
Gamification as a USP for Financial Topics
Interactive flashcards simplify complex financial topics into bite-sized, tappable information. Users gain quick knowledge while earning rewards, keeping the learning process fun and engaging. The gamified approach ensures retention and motivation to explore more.
Quiz Challenges with Friends
Challenge friends to quizzes with an added excitement of a countdown timer. The competitive edge boosts engagement and reinforces financial concepts in a dynamic way. It's a fun, social way to learn and test knowledge.
Financial Discussions Community
A community space to allow users to discuss topics, follow pages, and connect with like-minded individuals. Users can ask questions, share insights, and gain diverse perspectives. The interactive forum makes financial learning a collaborative journey.