Problem:
Millions of people struggle with managing their finances—especially those “nickel and dime” expenses like daily coffees or quick online buys that quietly drain money over time.
Solution:
Tiny-Track brings all financial tools—tracking, spending, even transfers—into one clutter-free mobile experience.
Target Users:
Individuals (especially students and freelancers) who struggle to manage small, frequent purchases effectively.
Client
university course - Touro University
Type
AX Design
Year
2024
Process
The idea for Tiny-Track was born out of a real personal struggle. As an international student newly adjusting to life in the U.S., I quickly realized that managing finances across two currencies was trickier than expected. Small, frequent purchases like snacks, coffees, or subscriptions often went unnoticed—but they added up fast. I wanted a tool that didn’t feel intimidating or overly complex—just something that felt like a friendly companion guiding you through daily spending.
I began with qualitative research, conducting user interviews with students, freelancers, and full-time workers who shared similar financial habits. The goal was to understand how people currently tracked small expenses, where their frustrations lay, and what features would genuinely help them feel in control.
To structure my approach, I used the Double Diamond framework, focusing on both discovery and delivery:
Discover:
Conducted interviews, analyzed behavior patterns, and synthesized insights.
Define:
Identified key pain points like friction in tracking, information overload, and the lack of real-time alerts.
Develop:
Explored solutions using Crazy 8s sketching and Blue Sky brainstorming to generate feature ideas like smart category auto-fill, visual breakdowns, and budget nudges.
Deliver:
Designed the UI in Figma, created visual assets in Illustrator & Photoshop, and built smooth micro-interaction concepts in After Effects.
I also ran a usability test with early screens and got valuable feedback about content overload, confusing category naming, and unclear progress indicators. Based on that, I refined the visual hierarchy, grouped essential actions in a single tap, and added subtle animations to improve usability without distraction.
Outcome
The final outcome was a mobile-first Figma prototype built with clarity, simplicity, and real-world utility in mind. The app offers:
Effortless transaction logging in just a few taps
Category-based insights using intuitive pie charts and expandable breakdowns
A minimalist “Goals” section to support long-term savings motivation without overwhelming the user
The design uses familiar iconography and interface patterns to make onboarding feel natural, especially for users not fluent in English or unfamiliar with Western financial tools. I placed special emphasis on reducing cognitive load, ensuring only the most relevant data was displayed up front, while giving users the option to dig deeper if needed.
This project taught me the value of designing for emotion and utility together. I learned how even small decisions—like color-coding categories or limiting daily reminders—can have a huge impact on whether users trust and stick with the app. Most importantly, it deepened my understanding of mobile UX strategy, especially for utility-based apps.
