Academic
A finance app that doesn’t feel like homework
A gamified money-skills platform for young adults.
The short version
Problem: Young adults want financial confidence but bounce off jargon-heavy, dull tools.
What I did: Researched, designed and built a gamified platform covering budgeting, debt, savings, investing and taxes.
Result: A working web app, backed by research from 47 survey respondents.
What I built
Modular lessons, short simulations and challenges, with rewards, streaks and reminders. The palette is purple, gradients and bright accents, chosen to feel like a lifestyle app and not a bank. Green means complete and warm colours mark calls to action.
The research that shaped it
A survey of 47 people aged 18 to 30 found that 89% would likely use a gamified finance app, 70% feel least confident about investing and 62% about taxes. It is a small sample, so I treated it as direction, not proof. I also analysed four competitors (YNAB, GoHenry, Banzai and NatWest Thrive) and found plenty of apps for kids or experts, with little for students and young professionals.
Who it’s for
Four personas: Emily (the anxious student), Jay (the hustling grad), Sasha (the crypto curious) and Marcus (the reluctant saver). Their journeys pointed to the same needs: plain language, small wins and visible progress.
Next steps
Moderated testing with the prototype, iteration on usability and comprehension, then refining interactions, visuals and content.
