Exploring Users
I conducted user research to understand the challenges faced in currency exchange, including tracking rates, hidden fees, and transaction delays. Our focus was on frequent travelers, expatriates, and freelancers who need seamless and transparent currency management.
Planning Research
To build a seamless currency exchange experience, we conducted user research focused on travelers, expatriates, and freelancers who frequently deal with international transactions. Our research aimed to uncover pain points in tracking currency rates, setting alerts, and making exchanges.
Interview Participants
Frequent Travelers – Those who need to exchange money across different countries.
Remote Workers & Freelancers – Who receive payments in different currencies.
Expats & Students Abroad – Managing finances across different currencies.
Interview Goals
Understand the challenges users face with currency exchange apps.
Identify preferred features such as rate alerts, conversion tools, and transaction history.
Analyze frustrations with existing solutions and expectations from an ideal app.
Resulting Insights
Tracking Rates Is Difficult – Users struggle to find the best exchange rate without constant monitoring.
Hidden Fees & Delays – Many apps do not show fees transparently, leading to unexpected deductions.
Need for Quick Actions – Users want fast conversions without lengthy steps.
Historical Data Matters – Users want to check past exchanges to make better decisions.
I designed Exchango to simplify currency exchange with a user-friendly approach. The app provides real-time rate alerts, seamless currency conversion, and transparent exchange transactions. By tracking exchange history, users can make informed financial decisions effortlessly.
Identify & Learn
Through research and user interviews, I identified the need for real-time exchange rate tracking and effortless transactions. Users wanted a tool that minimized hidden fees and provided transparency, leading us to refine our solution.
Design Thinking Process
The essential stages of the UI/UX design process—Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test where I understand user needs, define problems, brainstorm solutions, create prototypes, and validate designs through testing to enhance user experience.
Key features
✔ Rate Alerts – Set alerts for desired exchange rates.
✔ Currency Conversion – Quickly check exchange rates for multiple currencies.
✔ Currency Exchange – Seamless and transparent transactions.
✔ History Tracking – Monitor past exchanges for smarter decisions.
Put on Your Best Smile Creating a Friendly UI
Minimalist Dashboard – Clean interface for easy navigation.
Color-coded Exchange Status – Completed, Pending, or Failed transactions are easily distinguishable.
User Profile & Settings – Customization for language, notifications, and preferred currencies.
Profile and settings
The Settings screen allows users to customize various preferences, including language, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, notifications, sound, screen brightness, privacy, and security settings, with expandable options for further customization. The Profile screen displays user details such as profile picture, name, email, and password, with edit options for modifications and a prominent "Logout" button for secure sign-out. Both screens ensure a seamless and user-friendly experience for managing personal and system settings.
Prototyping
The Exchango app went through multiple stages of design and refinement to ensure an optimal user experience. Each step was crucial in shaping the final product
Designing the First Screen
I focused on creating a clean, intuitive home screen that prominently displays exchange rates, alerts, and quick actions. My goal was to minimize cognitive load and allow users to navigate effortlessly.
Wireframing
Before diving into visuals, I created low-fidelity wireframes to map out the structure and flow. This helped define the placement of key features such as Rate Alerts, Currency Converter, Exchange, and History. Wireframes ensured a logical user journey and eliminated unnecessary complexities.
UI Design
I transformed wireframes into high-fidelity screens with a sleek, modern aesthetic. A color scheme that aligns with financial trust and accessibility principles was chosen. Icons, typography, and spacing were carefully considered to maintain clarity and consistency.
User Testing
I conducted user testing to evaluate navigation, usability, and functionality. Feedback revealed areas that needed improvement, such as button placements and rate alert visibility. Iterative changes were made to optimize user flow.
Final Prototype
After multiple refinements, I developed a fully interactive prototype showcasing smooth transitions, responsive elements, and a seamless user experience. This final version reflects the best balance of functionality and simplicity, ensuring users can exchange currency efficiently and with confidence.
Usability study
The usability study evaluated how effectively users could complete key actions in the app, such as setting alerts, viewing exchange rates, and completing transactions. It highlighted strengths like a smooth transaction process and clear exchange rate information while identifying areas for improvement, such as making the search bar and delete options more prominent. These insights helped refine the app for a more seamless user experience.
Onboarding Screens
To ensure a smooth user experience, I designed an intuitive onboarding flow that guides users through the app’s core features
Interaction Screens
These screens display key user interactions, including successful payment confirmation, exchange confirmation prompts, alert settings, and history deletion confirmation. Each screen ensures clear communication and smooth user experience by providing action buttons for confirmation, cancellation, or acknowledgment.
Style guide
The style guide defines Ecchango’s design system, including typography, colors, buttons. It ensures a consistent and visually appealing user experience across the app.
Personification - Understanding the user behavior
Users appreciate clear fee breakdowns before making exchanges.
Customization (choosing preferred currencies, setting thresholds) enhances user experience.
A simple & visually appealing interface reduces confusion and improves navigation.
Overcoming the Bumps on the Road
User Trust Issues – Clear transaction breakdowns increased transparency and confidence.
Multiple Currency Handling – Users wanted to track multiple currencies at once, which we addressed with a customizable dashboard.
Features that could have been
User feedback inspired many ideas to improve the Exchango app with new features, but due to time constraints, I had to conclude the project, knowing there was still room for enhancement.
Here are a few additions which never came to life :
Send Money Internationally - Imagine if you could send money abroad easily, with lower fees and better exchange rates. Whether it’s for family, friends, or business, Exchango could help you transfer money securely while getting the best deal.
Find the Best Forex Dealers Nearby - If you prefer physical currency exchange, Exchango could show you the best exchange centers near your location—so you can compare rates and get the best deal.
Positive Feedbacks
“The Rate Alert feature is a game-changer! No need to check the app every day.”
“I love how transparent the fees are before exchanging currency.”
“The UI is clean, fast, and intuitive. The history feature helps me track my past transactions easily.”
