CurEx mockups
UX PORTFOLIO PROJECT

CUREX MOBILE AND WEB APP

CurEx helps global travelers easily find up-to-date currency exchange rates and locations.

Product goal:

My travel currency app will let users easily find the best rate to securely exchange currency (online or in-person) which will affect concerned travelers who want a worry-free travel experience by giving them confidence about managing their money on the go.

This project was created as part of the Google UX Design Certificate Program.

My role:

User research, wireframing, prototyping

Timeline:

12 weeks

Tools:

Figma, Google Suites

EMPATHIZE

Problem

Finding trusted currency exchange rates and reliable options while traveling to multiple countries is frustrating.

User research

I conducted secondary qualitative and quantitative research on user needs for currency exchange while traveling. I also conducted a competitive audit to understand unaddressed gaps in the products currently on the market.

Research revealed four pain points:
1
Local options

Users wanted robust and convenient options for in-person exchange of cash currency.

2
Good rates

Travelers want confidence in securing competitive exchange rates.

3
Trusted providers

Worried travelers want to use trusted currency exchange providers.

4
Intuitive

Travelers of all age should be able to use this product, with additional benefits easily accessible.

Based on research, I created two personas and accompanying user journey maps. The user journey map helped me put myself in the perspective of the user persona and identity the emotions of using the product. This helped inform my product design.

CurEx user persona details
CurEx user journey map
CurEx user persona details
CurEx user journey map

DEFINE

Problem statement

With user research conducted and personas established, I created the following problem statement to workshop:

Chakrii is an older cash-based traveler who needs a secure and intuitive mobile app that will help him confidently manage his money and currency exchanges while traveling because he wants to worry less about his money and focus more on spending quality time with his adult children who live abroad.

IDEATE

Paper wireframes

Sketching various wireframes on paper helped me experiment with the placement of various elements and inform the overall design of the interface.

CurEx mobile paper wireframeCurEx web paper wireframeCurEx web paper wireframe

Digital wireframes

I incorporated elements from the paper wireframe to inform the homepage design, including a direct link to currency exchange.

CurEx mobile digital wireframeCurEx mobile digital wireframeCurEx mobile digital wireframeCurEx web digital wireframeCurEx web digital wireframe

PROTOTYPE

Lofi mobile prototype

View prototypeCurEx lofi mobile prototype

Lofi web prototype

View prototypeCurEx lofi web prototype

TEST

Usability studies

I conducted an unmoderated usability study to identify design changes that can help users complete their task of successfully finding a local currency exchange option that they like.

Round 1 findings

1

It was unclear how to confirm or change user search input.

2

There was no way to search for a specific location or provider.

3

More detailed wayfinding information is helpful for unfamiliar locations.

Round 2 findings

1

Adding GPS option for nearby location search is helpful for travel

2

Applied filters were unclear when viewing list of results

3

More detailed information about location services is needed

REFINE

Mockups

CurEx mobile mockupCurEx mobile mockupCurEx mobile mockupCurEx mobile mockupCurEx mobile mockupCurEx mobile mockup
CurEx web mockupCurEx web mockup

Hifi mobile prototype

View prototypeCurEx mobile prototype

Hifi web prototype

View prototypeCurEx web prototype

CONCLUSION and next steps

Having easy-to-use tools can transform the ease of use for the app—particularly when traveling.

Throughout this process, I learned that incorporating feedback from usability studies throughout the process is very helpful in creating a more robust product for more users.

To continue this project, I would:

  1. Identify more content to ensure the product is more robust and that the information architecture supports it.
  2. Determine possible integrations with existing services like Google Maps or Yelp.
  3. Conduct more usability studies to continue iterating on my design.

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