Origin Finance: Education & Sidekick

Redefining financial education with a streamlined and interactive digital experience

In collaboration with Origin Finance, I led the design of an educational platform, helping users better understand and manage their financial journeys. I designed a clean and intuitive interface for financial planning, with a focus on both education and guidance, while making complex information accessible and engaging.

The Challenge

Transforming complex financial data into a user-friendly and actionable digital experience

Origin Finance needed to educate users on financial planning while offering a simplified, supportive tool that could adapt to different financial needs. The challenge was to design an experience that would balance in-depth education with ease of use. This required a platform that could cater to both new and seasoned users, offering tools that range from financial overviews to detailed investment strategies.

Project Overview

Combining Educational Insights with a Supportive Digital Sidekick

• Evolving Challenge: Financial planning can often feel overwhelming for users with little prior knowledge. My goal was to break down complex financial concepts into digestible parts while maintaining accuracy and depth of information. The solution had to be scalable, accommodating different user types and knowledge levels.

• Designing the Origin Experience: I developed a comprehensive user journey that began with educational content and seamlessly flowed into practical financial tools. Users could learn as they engaged with real-world scenarios, providing them with actionable insights to improve their financial literacy and confidence.

• Cross-collaboration with SMEs (Subject Matter Experts): I worked closely with financial experts to ensure that the content was both accurate and relevant. My role was to design interactive modules that translated technical information into an intuitive experience for users, bridging the gap between financial jargon and user understanding.

Educational Journey

Mapping the ideal financial learning and management path

The cornerstone of the project was designing Pliny's educational journey—a user-centric path that helps users start with basic concepts and grow their knowledge over time. I created clear, milestone-driven steps that guided users from introductory financial literacy to advanced investment strategies.

• Milestones: These were mapped out as achievable goals, with each milestone unlocking further financial insights. By visually representing progress, users remained motivated and engaged throughout the learning process.

• Interactive Learning: I designed educational modules with a mix of quizzes, real-time feedback, and scenario-based learning to make the experience more dynamic and personalized.

Mini-steps for Educational Progression

Ensuring the user journey remains flexible and accessible

To further enhance the learning path, I implemented smaller, digestible learning steps that allowed users to build knowledge progressively. I structured these mini-steps to provide immediate feedback, fostering a sense of achievement as users moved forward.

This structure ensured that users with varying levels of financial understanding could navigate the platform with ease, learning at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed.

Quick Flow

Facilitating a rapid onboarding process for financial tools

The onboarding process was designed with simplicity in mind. By mapping a user flow that emphasized a quick start, I reduced the barriers to engagement. Users were able to input key financial information and receive actionable insights without complex form-filling or waiting periods.

This flow allowed users to quickly engage with the tools that were most relevant to them, maximizing the platform's impact from the very beginning.

Remote User Research

Adapting insights from diverse users to refine the experience

I conducted remote user research across different user demographics to ensure the platform would be effective for all types of users—from those just starting to those managing complex portfolios. This research informed design decisions, allowing me to refine the experience based on real user feedback and behavior.

Key findings:

• Learning Preferences: Users preferred visual aids and interactive components to explain complex financial terms.

• Behavioral Patterns: I identified a common need for immediate, practical application of financial education, leading to the integration of side-by-side learning and application tools.

Final Results

Delivering a well-rounded financial education experience

The Origin Finance platform successfully bridged the gap between education and practical financial management. Users reported increased confidence in handling their finances, and the sidekick tool—offering real-time assistance—became a key feature in boosting user retention and engagement.

New Additions

Continuous iteration and improvement

Following the successful launch, I continued to iterate on the platform by introducing new educational modules and refining the sidekick tool based on ongoing user feedback. These updates ensured that users stayed engaged, with new content catering to evolving financial trends and user needs.

Mapping Sidekick’s Journey

Creating a responsive and intuitive financial assistant

The sidekick tool was designed to act as a personal guide, helping users make informed decisions as they progressed through their financial planning. I mapped the entire journey of how users would interact with the sidekick, from inputting financial goals to receiving tailored advice and actionable steps.

The sidekick feature was developed with responsive behavior, adapting to user inputs and providing real-time insights without overwhelming users with information.

Mobile-First Approach

Optimizing the experience for mobile users

Given the rise of mobile usage in managing personal finances, I adopted a mobile-first design approach. This ensured that all key features, from educational modules to financial tracking, were fully optimized for smaller screens without losing functionality or clarity.

Desktop Integration

Ensuring consistency across devices

While mobile optimization was a priority, I also worked extensively on designing a consistent desktop experience. The interface allowed for more detailed displays of financial data while maintaining the simplicity that users experienced on mobile.

Final Desktop Result

Providing a complete financial management toolkit

The desktop version offered users a more comprehensive overview of their financial health, with detailed breakdowns of investments, savings, and spending. I ensured that the user interface was clean and intuitive, allowing users to easily switch between different financial views.

What I Learned

Refining UX for educational platforms

This project taught me how to blend education with practical tools in a way that drives engagement. I developed a deeper understanding of how users approach financial learning and refined my skills in creating user flows that balance simplicity with depth. The project also highlighted the importance of continuous iteration, as ongoing feedback was critical in shaping the platform into a truly user-centric product.