“What does UX/UI do in the financial world?” “Do you come into a financial company to design graphics or visuals?” “Is having design skills enough to work as a UX/UI designer in this company?”

These are common questions we often hear from people around us and those interested in applying for UX/UI positions. As a UX/UI designer at a financial consultancy firm, I’d like to provide a basic understanding from our perspective at FynnCorp.

UX/UI in the Financial World

It’s understandable that globalization, which has made everything accessible at our fingertips through online platforms, has drastically changed people’s behaviors. The financial world, in particular, is still perceived by many as being rooted in traditional systems and paperwork.

However, as technology advances, so too must the financial world. The proliferation of fintech innovations is a testament to this adaptation. FynnCorp is one such company striving to keep up with these changes.

But creating a financial product isn’t as simple as conceiving an idea and then launching it. Innovation often requires a significant amount of time and development. This is where UX/UI designers come into play.

Many companies and individuals still view UX/UI as purely visual design. However, in the digital world, the success of a product hinges on the digital user experience. UX/UI designers are uniquely positioned to understand users deeply through design thinking and human-centered design.

The success of financial innovations depends not only on the design skills of these designers but also on their ability to deeply understand various aspects of product development, such as business strategy, marketing, psychology, human behavior, and technology.

Designers Shape Emotions in the Financial World Working as a UX/UI designer at FynnCorp has allowed us to understand the challenges faced by our clients, such as the complexity of managing corporate documents, the cumbersome process of booking shares, and the lack of clear and timely communication regarding financial transactions. Many investors find investment documents difficult to understand, deterring them from investing.

These issues highlight the negative emotions and perceptions associated with financial services. Beyond the complexity of these processes, the design and presentation of information play a significant role.

Research by Paul McLean (2008) suggests that much of human behavior is driven by subconscious emotions and feelings. However, financial information is often presented in a logical and rational manner, which can be challenging for many people to comprehend. Don Norman, often considered the father of UX, emphasized in his book “Emotional Design” (2004) that:

“Much of human behavior is subconscious, beneath conscious awareness. Consciousness comes late, both in evolution and also in the way the brain processes information.”  

Given this, it’s crucial for UX/UI designers to create financial products that are easy to understand and visually appealing. Information should be presented in a way that is engaging and inviting. As Donald A. Norman stated, “Attractive things do work better—their attractiveness produces positive emotions, causing mental processes to be more creative, more tolerant of minor difficulties.”  

Therefore, UX/UI designers are not merely decorators; they are architects of user experiences. They delve deep into human psychology and behavior to identify pain points and design solutions that make financial products more accessible and engaging.

In conclusion, UX/UI designers play a vital role in shaping the future of financial services. By focusing on user needs and creating intuitive, visually appealing experiences, they can help to demystify complex financial concepts and make investing more accessible to everyone.