MoneyLingo
MoneyLingo
Built a mobile app that teaches money management through gamified lessons and simulated investing.
Project Overview:
Team - 2 UX generalists & 2 researchers
Created at - The University of Texas at Austin
Project Overview:
Team - 2 UX generalists & 2 researchers
Created at - The University of Texas at Austin
What I worked on:
User Research
Wire-framing
Design System
Prototyping
Design System
Prototyping
Design System
Prototyping
Mobile
Interface
UX Generalist
Role
Sep'23 - Dec'23
Duration
Mobile
Interface
UX Generalist
Role
Sep'23 - Dec'23
Duration
Learnings:
Working on MoneyLingo taught me that
- users crave simplicity, structure, and emotional safety when making financial decisions.
- Gamification isn’t about points — it’s about building confidence.
My biggest takeaway? Always test early, and stay open to pivoting your solution based on what users actually need.
Working on MoneyLingo taught me that
- users crave simplicity, structure, and emotional safety when making financial decisions.
- Gamification isn’t about points — it’s about building confidence.
My biggest takeaway? Always test early, and stay open to pivoting your solution based on what users actually need.
Gamifying Financial Literacy for Gen Z
Gamifying Financial Literacy for Gen Z
01
01
01
01
Problem Discovery
Problem Discovery
Problem Discovery
Problem Discovery
"I’m stressed about money, but don’t know where to start."
"I’m stressed about money, but don’t know where to start."
"I’m stressed about money, but don’t know where to start."
Gen Z struggles with financial literacy
Advice sources: Reddit, TikTok, friends → often confusing
Need: an engaging, trustworthy, mobile-first tool
02
02
02
02
User Resarch & Insights
User Resarch & Insights
User Resarch & Insights
User Resarch & Insights
Users crave confidence, simplicity, and engagement — not lectures.
Users crave confidence, simplicity, and engagement — not lectures.
03
03
03
03
Ideation & Concept Evolution
Ideation & Concept Evolution
Ideation & Concept Evolution
Ideation & Concept Evolution
Early concepts felt Fun but after testing revealed limitations. We pivoted to mobile-first after testing.
Early concepts felt Fun but after testing revealed limitations. We pivoted to mobile-first after testing.
04
04
04
04
Final Product: MoneyLingo
Final Product: MoneyLingo
Final Product: MoneyLingo
Final Product: MoneyLingo
Final Designs
Final Designs (after Testing & User Feedback)
05
05
05
05
Design System
Design System
Design System
Design System
Colors - Trust & calm (blues)
Typeface = Lato for clarity
Colors - Trust & calm (blues)
Typeface = Lato for clarity
06
06
06
06
Impact & Reflection
Impact & Reflection
Impact & Reflection
Impact & Reflection
Impacts & Results
80% preferred MoneyLingo over Reddit/YouTube
Confidence increased after just 3 session
Gamified > passive content in retention
Increased user confidence after 3 sessions (validated by surveys).
80% of testers preferred app over Reddit/YouTube.
Key Takeaways
"Gamification isn’t about points — it’s about building confidence.”
Personalization builds trust.
Early & frequent user-testing refines product-market fit.
Gamified experience works best when it complements education.
Test early & Pivot when needed.
Personalization builds trust.
Education needs emotional safety too.
Future Scope
Expanding from app → To a platform → To an entire ecosystem
