YING L

Responsive Web Learning Platform - Investment focus

ixAcademia empowers young investors to make informed decisions and achieve their financial goals
Client | Industry

ixFintech / Fintech, Online Learning, Finance, B2C

My Role

UI UX Designer | Interaction Designer | Graphic Designer

Main Tools

Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite

Completion

2019-04-30

ixAcademia: A User-Centered Design Approach for Financial Learning

This project details the design process for ixAcademia, an online learning platform focused on empowering investors with financial knowledge. The platform caters to students seeking to improve their investment skills and instructors looking to share their expertise and generate income. The following sections delve into the project, outlining the problem statement, user needs, design solutions, and the importance of a user-centred approach. The project concludes with reflecting on the key takeaways and the potential for future development based on user feedback.

The problem

A Need for Investment Education: The Challenge Behind Learning Platform

  • Young investors often make investment decisions based on unreliable market news or "expert tips" without a strong foundation in financial knowledge.
  • The steep learning curve in financial education creates a barrier for young investors to improve their investment skills and reach their financial goals.
The solution

Empowering Investors Through a Streamlined Learning Platform

ixAcademia provides an online platform to empower young investors:

  • Offers online courses for both beginners and advanced learners.
  • Separate dashboards for students and instructors for streamlined management.
  • Token system for course enrollment using cryptocurrency or credit card.
  • Secure verification system ensures course and instructor credibility.
  • Instructors can upload documents to build their reputation.
Design Process

Research: Building a Strong Foundation

The ixAcademia design process began with a robust research phase to build a strong foundation for the platform.

  1. Competitive Analysis: We conducted a thorough examination of existing financial learning platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy. This analysis helped us identify best practices in the industry, potential weaknesses in existing platforms, and unique opportunities for ixAcademia to differentiate itself.
  2. Secondary Research: Extensive research delved into current investment education trends and user needs. We explored how people learn about finance, what their pain points are, and what kind of learning experience they seek. This provided valuable insights into the target audience's preferences and ensured the platform catered effectively to their learning styles.
  3. Primary Research: To gain firsthand information, we conducted user interviews with students and instructors. This involved reaching out to investment instructors recommended by the client and connecting with financial students through colleagues. By understanding their specific needs and preferences, we ensured ixAcademia would resonate with both parties.

Competitive Research

Information Architecture: Defining the User Journey

The website's structure and organization were meticulously planned to create an intuitive and user-friendly experience for both students and instructors. A well-defined information architecture ensured easy navigation and efficient access to relevant information.

Sketches and Wireframes: Visualizing the Solution

  1. Low-fidelity sketches were created to brainstorm ideas and user flows. This initial exploration phase allowed for rapid iteration and exploration of different design concepts.
  2. Wireframes were then developed to represent the website's layout and functionality in a more detailed way. Wireframes provided a clear visual representation of the user interface, aiding in discussions and refinement.
Wireframe for better communication

Collaboration and Refinement: Ensuring Success Through Feedback

Information architecture, sketches, and wireframes were presented to colleagues and stakeholders for constructive feedback. This collaborative approach ensured that the design addressed the needs of both users and the business. Feedback from this stage was incorporated to further refine the design and create an exceptional user experience. With this remote setting team, we usually use digital format to clearly write done our comments and thoughts for a better communication.

Communication example: Interaction explanation and comments

Mockup prototypes

User Onboarding: A Seamless Introduction

ixAcademia prioritizes a seamless onboarding experience for new users. Upon landing on the website, visitors will encounter a clear and concise overview of the platform's core functionalities. This overview will showcase how ixAcademia works and how it can benefit them as investors.

To further engage browsing users and encourage them to join the platform, we've strategically unlocked select features and functionalities. This allows them to "try before they buy," experiencing the platform's value proposition firsthand. This approach fosters user trust and compels them to explore the full range of benefits available through registration.

Onboarding Flow

Streamlined Sign-Up: Tailored for Users

ixAcademia recognizes the distinct needs of students and instructors.  The sign-up process reflects this by offering two separate flows:

  • Student Sign-Up: Prioritizing ease and accessibility, student sign-up is designed for a smooth and swift onboarding experience. This encourages rapid registration and minimizes barriers to entry.
  • Instructor Sign-Up: To ensure platform credibility and course quality, instructor sign-up emphasizes verification. This involves uploading detailed information and certifications, establishing the instructor's expertise and experience. A more rigorous verification process safeguards the platform's integrity and fosters trust among students.

Register & Login Process

Personalized Dashboards: Empowering Users

ixAcademia provides distinct dashboards tailored to the specific needs of students and instructors.

  • Student Dashboard: Designed to be visually engaging and informative, the student dashboard utilizes information charts, milestone markers, and other visual elements to provide a clear understanding of their learning progress. This fosters a sense of accomplishment and motivates students to continue their educational journey by attending more courses.
  • Instructor Dashboard: The instructor dashboard prioritizes clarity and efficiency. It prominently displays upcoming courses and earnings, allowing instructors to easily manage their schedules and track their income. This streamlined interface empowers them to focus on creating and delivering high-quality courses while maximizing their earning potential within the platform.

Conclusion: A Platform Designed for Success

The ixAcademia web platform design project highlights the importance of user-centered design principles. By conducting thorough research to understand the needs of both students and instructors, the design team was able to craft a solution that caters effectively to both user groups. The separate login sections, distinct dashboards, and token system  facilitate a smooth user experience. The focus on instructor verification ensures the platform's credibility and provides a valuable learning environment for students.

This project serves as a testament to the power of collaboration. By involving stakeholders throughout the design process, the team was able to create a platform that is not only user-friendly but also aligns with the business goals of ixfintech.

Reflection

The ixAcademia project has been a valuable learning experience, highlighting the importance of:

  • Modular Design Systems: I witnessed firsthand the effectiveness of modular components and symbol sets within a design system. This approach ensured design consistency, alignment with the ixFintech brand, and facilitated efficient iteration throughout the design process.
  • Understanding User Needs: Catering to distinct user groups was a core focus. The separated student and instructor sign-up flows, along with personalized dashboards, demonstrate the importance of understanding and addressing user needs in a targeted manner.
  • The Power of Research: The extensive research conducted, including competitive analysis, user research, and secondary research, yielded invaluable insights. This research not only informed the design but also fostered a deeper understanding of the financial industry from a design perspective.
Modular Design Systems

Looking Forward:

The potential for an instructor dashboard feature focused on course improvement and design assistance is intriguing.  However, as you rightly pointed out, user testing is crucial to validate such a hypothesis.  By incorporating user feedback, we can ensure any future implementation caters effectively to the needs of instructors and further strengthens the platform's value proposition.

Overall, the ixAcademia project has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to refine my design skills, delve deeper into user-centered design principles, and gain valuable knowledge about the financial education landscape.