Currency Exchange App

Design Process

I follow a systematic approach to understanding user needs, defining solutions, and delivering exceptional experiences.

The core problem isn't just comparing rates; it's the cognitive overhead of navigating multiple interfaces and the volatility of trust when making time-sensitive financial decisions.

The Problem

Through user research, I identified that travelers face a fragmented experience when searching for currency exchange rates. The challenge isn't just finding information. It's processing it across multiple provider websites, each with different interfaces, information hierarchies, and interaction patterns. This creates unnecessary cognitive load during time-sensitive financial decisions. Users often miss better deals because they're buried in search results or require navigating through multiple website experiences. The process becomes so mentally taxing that many travelers settle for the first reasonable rate they find, potentially leaving money on the table.

The Goal

To design a high-utility comparison engine that balances "speed-to-decision" with "depth-of-information." The solution needed to eliminate the need to visit multiple websites while providing a single, transparent view of all available options, rates, and services. This would help travelers make informed decisions quickly and confidently, ensuring they get the best value without the cognitive overhead of context-switching between different interfaces.

The Constraint

Engineering a mobile-first interface that remains legible and usable in high-glare, "on-the-go" environments like airports or busy city centers. The design needed to present complex financial information in a way that's scannable, trustworthy, and actionable without overwhelming users during moments of urgency.

The Solution

I designed a mobile application that aggregates information from multiple exchange providers into one unified interface with consistent information architecture. Instead of visiting different websites with varying layouts, travelers see all available rates, services, and offers in a standardized, easy-to-compare format. This approach eliminates cognitive load from context-switching and provides a single source of truth for making informed decisions.

Deep Dive: Research & Mental Models

Instead of relying on broad personas, I mapped the mental models of frequent travelers. The synthesis revealed that users don't just want to know the rate. They want to understand the context and compare options efficiently. I conducted numerous user interviews to identify common patterns in how travelers approach currency exchange, then synthesized these insights into a focused persona that represented the core user segment.

I transformed research insights into design solutions through information architecture, user flow optimization, and strategic scoping to create an intuitive comparison experience.

Optimizing the Happy Path

I audited the typical conversion flow and mapped the user journey to understand the complete experience of finding currency exchange rates. This revealed the repetitive nature of the process and the frustration that builds as users cycle through multiple websites. The journey map helped me identify specific pain points where a unified solution could make the biggest impact.

Key Design Decisions

Tiered Information Disclosure: Real-time exchange rates are surfaced prominently, while secondary data (transaction fees, service offerings, delivery options) are accessible via progressive disclosure patterns. This maintains a clean, focused UI while ensuring users have access to all relevant information when needed.

Standardized Comparison Matrix: I designed a consistent information architecture across all provider listings, ensuring users can quickly scan and compare rates, fees, and services without having to learn different interface patterns. This reduces cognitive load and speeds up decision-making.

Contextual Service Highlights: Instead of burying service details, I surface key differentiators (like express home delivery or zero transaction fees) directly in the comparison view, enabling users to make informed decisions based on both rate and service quality.

Location-Aware Provider Discovery: I integrated location-based search functionality that allows travelers to find nearby exchange providers when visiting unfamiliar destinations. This addresses the critical pain point of wasting time searching for physical locations, especially important for budget travelers like Vinay who need quick access to exchange services during tight travel schedules.

Transparent Total Cost Calculation: To solve the problem of inconsistent fee disclosures, I designed a clear breakdown that shows the base rate, transaction fees, delivery charges, and total amount in a standardized format across all providers. This eliminates guesswork and helps users understand the true cost of currency exchange, directly addressing Vinay's need for transparent information.

Initial Design Brainstorming

I started with whiteboarding sessions to explore different approaches to organizing and presenting exchange provider information. I experimented with various layouts, information hierarchies, and interaction patterns. This early ideation helped me quickly identify the most logical and user-friendly path forward before investing time in detailed design work.

Scoping

To ensure the solution was focused and achievable, I clearly defined what the product would handle and what would be out of scope for the initial version. This helped me prioritize features that would deliver the most value while keeping the scope manageable.

User Flow

I designed a streamlined user flow that eliminates unnecessary steps and reduces cognitive load. The flow guides travelers from currency selection through rate comparison to final provider selection, making the entire process feel effortless and intuitive.

I brought the solution to life through initial sketches, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups that create a seamless comparison experience.

Initial Rough Sketches

I began with rough sketches to explore different layouts and information hierarchies. This low-fidelity approach allowed me to quickly iterate on ideas and test different ways of presenting exchange provider information. I focused on making the comparison process as clear and effortless as possible before committing to any specific design direction.

Mockups

The final high-fidelity mockups show the complete user flow from currency selection through provider comparison to final selection. I designed the interface to present all critical information at a glance, making it easy for travelers to compare rates, services, and offers without having to dig through multiple screens or websites.

Impact

The solution directly addresses all of Vinay's core pain points. He no longer needs to visit multiple websites with different interfaces. The unified comparison view eliminates cognitive overhead and saves hours of research time. Transparent fee disclosure ensures he understands the true cost of each transaction. Most importantly, location-based provider discovery solves his challenge of finding nearby exchange services in unfamiliar destinations, making the entire currency exchange process seamless and efficient during his tight travel schedules.