econommi is a start-up that connects retail investors to low-cost capital through the digitization of real-world assets like car leases. I was hired to lead a team tasked with designing the web and mobile apps.
Goals
After some initial success, econommi felt ready to attract more users by creating their own investment platform. I was hired as the design team lead to spearhead the creation of the mobile and web app with these specific goals:
01
Build an interface for customers to effortlessly track their portfolio performance.
02
Enable customers to invest in shares of car leases through a marketplace.
03
Enable customers to leverage investments to lease assets.
Challenges
econommi aimed to attract a new wave of retail investors without alienating their existing clients, but had very limited knowledge on either. Due to a tight 4-month development timeframe, extensive and thorough user interviews and surveys weren't feasible.
Users can now keep track of their investments with econommi and search for new opportunities.
Users can also take out loans or leases for assets by leveraging their investments on econommi.
Research
Not wanting to design completely blind, I had the team analyze comparable investment platforms used by retail investors. This analysis helped us identify features we considered essential for our product to have as well as give us an idea of what vibe we wanted to give off.
Things that users can sort by
Can change what figure is previewed
Numbers that represent different things are kept distinct
The rounded edges give off a friendly and accessible vibe
No option to filter portfolio items
Methods
With the comparable products analysis in mind, we conducted several workshops with key company stakeholders to brainstorm requirements, develop the information architecture, to define the user flows, and to establish clear design requirements for each frame of the product.
My Impact
While my time at econommi didn't allow for full implementation of every design, my contributions were instrumental in setting them up for future success as recognized by both CEO Hudhaifah Zahid and COO Arvin Madhi. With a strong foundation established (including the mobile and web app designs), econommi secured additional funding and continues to attract new retail investors every day.
Looking back
econommi provided me with a leadership opportunity that allowed me to spearhead their design team in a learn-by-doing environment. This experience significantly honed my design leadership and planning skills, which have been foundational to my success in subsequent positions.