Revolut Re-designed Concept

Fintech Problems I Couldn't Ignore

The Backstory
As a final year graphic design student, I've always been drawn to solving real problems through design. But it wasn't until I started paying closer attention to my own relationship with financial apps that I realized how much room there was for improvement in fintech UX.

You know that feeling when you open your banking app and immediately feel a bit anxious? Or when you're trying to send money abroad and suddenly feel like you need a finance degree to understand what you're actually paying?
That's exactly what got me hooked on fintech design.

My Process
Instead of just complaining about bad UX (which, let's be honest, we all do), I decided to actually do something about it.

I spent time researching user pain points, understanding the psychology behind financial anxiety, and designing solutions that prioritize transparency and user confidence.

These two projects represent my first deep dive into product design thinking - moving beyond making things look good to actually solving meaningful problems that affect how people interact with their money every day.

Why Revolut?
I chose to focus on Revolut because they're already pushing boundaries in fintech, but even great products have opportunities for improvement.

Plus, as a user myself, I had genuine insights into pain points that could be addressed.

Both concepts focus on the same core principle: financial products should reduce anxiety, not create it.

Project 1: Making International Transfers Actually Transparent

Problem Duration: Every time I needed to send money abroad

Design Duration: 3 days

Focus: Transparency, trust, and simplicity

Ever tried sending money internationally and felt like you were playing a guessing game with fees? Yeah, me too. Despite Revolut's competitive rates, the transfer experience still left me wondering what I was actually paying and when my money would arrive.

The core insight: People want honesty more than they want the cheapest option.

I redesigned the international transfer flow to prioritize transparency from the very first screen - showing all costs upfront, providing real-time tracking, and using familiar patterns (hello, Amazon delivery tracking) to build user confidence.

Key improvements:

1. Upfront cost calculator that updates in real-time
2. Progress tracking that actually makes sense to humans
3. Clear, jargon-free language throughout the flow
4. Contextual information that builds trust at every step


Project 2: Turning Banking Anxiety into Financial Confidence

Problem Duration: Literally every time I opened any banking app

Design Duration: 2 days

Focus: Psychology, positive reinforcement, and behavioral change

This one hit close to home. I noticed I (and everyone I asked) had the same reaction to opening banking apps: immediate anxiety followed by quickly closing the app. That's not great for user engagement OR financial wellness.

The psychological insight: Current financial apps focus on loss and spending, triggering anxiety. What if they celebrated wins instead?

I redesigned Revolut's home experience around positive reinforcement, contextual information, and progress celebration. Instead of "you spent £200" (guilt), show "you saved £140 more than usual" (victory).

Key improvements:

1. Positive-first messaging that celebrates financial wins
2. Contextual balance displays that reduce number anxiety
3. Progress tracking for savings goals and spending patterns
4. Achievement-focused analytics that feel like game rewards

What I Learned

These projects taught me that great UX design isn't just about interfaces - it's about understanding human psychology and designing for emotional outcomes.

Financial anxiety is real, and design choices can either amplify or reduce it.

I also discovered I'm genuinely passionate about fintech. There's something incredibly satisfying about taking unnecessarily complex financial processes and making them human-centered and confidence-building.

Most importantly: Good design should make people feel empowered, not overwhelmed.