UBC
Mobile AppMobile banking experience for UBC on android.
Senior Designer
2020
2020
Union Bank of Cameroon is a leading commercial bank in Cameroon which provides quality services to her customers with a wide range of products and after-sales services. I was the senior designer on the mobile banking experience for the bank.
At Longbridge, we service a host of financial institutions building enterprise software and applications to ease their business process operations. One of our key clients was the Union Bank of Cameroon. I worked with our product team to map out new features and experiences for the mobile banking application on android.
Since their offerings appealed to a wide variety of users, the design direction used on this app was one that was designed with the everyday consumer in mind. I ensured that the mobile application was built with tailored content and functionality, from the authentication screen to the main pages. Quick navigation and smooth transitions were adopted to arrive at a fluid experience and ensure users continued to access everything on offer.
Since their offerings appealed to a wide variety of users, the design direction used on this app was one that was designed with the everyday consumer in mind. I ensured that the mobile application was built with tailored content and functionality, from the authentication screen to the main pages. Quick navigation and smooth transitions were adopted to arrive at a fluid experience and ensure users continued to access everything on offer.
Design Process
Conducting Research
Some internal research was already carried out by the UBC project team and so we had to build upon their knowledge of existing data.
We also carried out some studies with stakeholders who were already using the web app to have a better understanding of their painpoints.
We also carried out some studies with stakeholders who were already using the web app to have a better understanding of their painpoints.
Defining Product Features
I collaborated with the product manager using insights from user studies to develop and define features. From research, it was clear that users cared more about these primary functions:
Make a transfer
Buy airtime
Pay bills
The Identity
While retaining UBC’s identity, a simple color palette was developed from her existing logo to be applied to the visual aspects of the application.
User Authentication
Simple and intuitive authentication allowing users to register via their hardware token, debit card, or OTP.
User Authentication
Account Overview, Transactions, Transaction Detail
Data from the research phase showed that prominent user activities were making transfers, paying bills, and buying airtime. These were prioritized when designing the account overview section.
Account Overview, Transactions, Transaction Detail
Buy Airtime
Customers can easily see who they recently bought airtime and data for.
Buy Airtime
Pay Bills
Customers get to select from a set of categories to pay their bills.
Pay Bills
Navigation Menu, Notifications, Profile Management
Quick navigation and smooth transitions were adopted to arrive at a fluid experience ensuring customers continue to access everything on offer.
Navigation Menu, Notifications, Profile Management
PROTOTYPES
Register or Login
Simple and intuitive authentication allowing users to register via their hardware token, debit card, or OTP.
Account Overview
Smooth transitions between savings and current accounts.
Making a transfer
Customers can easily transfer funds to a saved or new beneficiary. To confirm the transaction, customers are being asked to enter an OTP code sent to their mobile number.
Buying airtime or data
We made it easy for customers to purchase airtime or data. Customers are also presented with a row of their recent beneficiaries in order to save time.
Paying a Bill
Customers get to select from the available categories to pay a bill. The process follows the same pattern as that of buying airtime and transferring funds.
Transaction Information
Customer get to see their transaction history and information in a more intuitive manner.
TESTING & FEEDBACK
After prototyping the designs, I performed a series of usability tests with three UBC stakeholders, requiring them to complete unique tasks.
You need to register to use the UBC mobile app.
Feedback:
“That was pretty easy and straightforward”
Feedback:
“That was pretty easy and straightforward”
You need to transfer funds to your brother.
Feedback:
“The experience was super fast and delightful”
Feedback:
“The experience was super fast and delightful”
You need to recharge your TV subscription using your mobile banking app. Make payment to your service provider.
Feedback:
“The process was simple and direct”
Feedback:
“The process was simple and direct”
Conclusion
It was both a rewarding and challenging experience to design this app. The research phase revealed to me that there were things of more priority to the customers that needed to be easily located on the app. I have also learned more about the general banking industry.
I resigned from Longbridge in 2020 and so I wasn’t present to see this project come to live. I enjoyed working on this project, and I’d like to continue my quest to understand business and users’ needs in order to develop better product experiences.